TubaChristmas is tuning up for its 37th annual holiday performance in Manhattan.
The annual Christmas tradition, which started in 1989 and takes place in communities across the country, has become part of Manhattan’s holiday festivities.
Kansas State University music professor Steven Maxwell has led the annual free performance at Manhattan Town Center since 2006.
“It’s people from across the spectrum,” he said. “The youngest people are usually 12 in fifth grade just starting on tuba and we’ve got people in their 90s still coming out to play.”
The 2024 event featured 81 instrumentalists, making it the largest gathering of performers to date. TubaChristmas draws instrumentalists from the Manhattan area and beyond.
“We get a lot of folks that come from the Kansas City area, Wichita area, a lot of alums from K-State will come back,” Maxwell said. “They’ll hang out at TubaChristmas and then go out to dinner afterwards.”
Those wishing to participate can register between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday at McCain Auditorium room 201. Registration costs $10 and includes a TubaChristmas button. Sheet music costs $20. Rehearsal follows until 2:15 p.m.
The performance will be at 3 p.m. that afternoon at Manhattan Town Center and is free to attend. Maxwell said the venue is a perfect fit to host such a show.