More than 100 tuba and euphonium players from across the Midwest will converge on a Mason City shopping mall today (Saturday) for the 22nd annual Tuba Christmas concert.

Organizer Al Zook says it’s a great way for people to get in the mood for the holidays. Zook says the north-central Iowa group started with only six players back in 1985 when Southbridge Mall opened, and now the group has grown to over one-hundred each year and is Iowa’s largest Tuba Christmas event.

The concert is similar to ones held across the nation, ever since the first performance was held in New York City 32 years ago honoring an Iowa native. Zook says the first Tuba Christmas was held at the Rockefeller Center Ice Arena in 1974 in honor of Creston native Bill Bell, who was born on Christmas Day 1902.

Zook says you can take part in the Mason City Tuba Christmas if you play tuba or euphonium at any level. Players are asked to come to the Mason City High School band room starting at 10 o?clock this (Saturday) morning with rehearsal starting at 10:30 before heading to Southbridge Mall.

The performance takes place in the center court at Southbridge Mall starting at one o?clock.

Other Tuba Christmas events are underway today (Saturday) at Westdale Mall in Cedar Rapids and at St. John’s Auditorium in Ottumwa, and tomorrow (Sunday) at Creston Middle School.

For more information, click on the link below.

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Tuba Christmas events