How the Brass Stole Christmas

It happened down in Larimer Square one bright December day,

Tubas, baritones, and euphoniums played "jingle all the way".

What brought about this joyous sound; this brassy, sassy din?

Why, 'twas TUBACHRISTMAS! It had come around again.

The revelers came from far and wide to toot their mighty horns,

From Texas to New Zealand, all came with horns adorned.

The players were both young to old, from nine to eighty-seven;

And when they sweetly played their horns, it sounded just like heaven.

There were fathers, mothers, daughters, and sons, and all other types of kindred;

And when later they were tallied up, they numbered more than three hundred.

The horns were all sizes and shapes, and came in every kind of hue.

Some horns were more than a hundred years old, and some were shiny and new.

They played, and played, and played some more with nary a thought of ceasing,

In fact, they've done it since seventy-four, each year its appeal increasing.

All year they played the oompa and tread their bass lines gingerly.

But, you see, this day is something special; the tubas have the melody!

William Boucher

Author's note: TUBACHRISTMAS takes place every December in cities all over the world. In Colorado alone this year, there were celebrations in Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Alamosa, and Grand Junction. It typically takes place the first or second weekend in December on Saturdays and Sundays. It goes on irregardless of the weather. It continues to be absolutely free, and is a great way to spend a December afternoon. And you've just never lived until you've heard three hundred tubas playing the very special TUBACHRISTMAS arrangement of "Jingle Bells". See you next year.