Old, old, OLD, and trying to get back in.

[ghmerrill]

For Tuba Christmas, a compensating euphonium like the Wessex or Mack Brass is most versatile. I have played all four parts (not simultaneously!) on my Mack Brass euph. In all honestly, it's not real good or easy on the Tuba 2 (contrabass) part. But it's fine on the Tuba 1 (bass tuba) part or, of course, on Euph 1 or Euph 2. For euph, I prefer Euph 2 because I think the parts are more interesting, and likewise for Tuba 1.

Remember: If you hold (or lock) down the 4th valve on a compensating euphonium, you're holding a 3-valve F tuba.

[Jonathantuba]

I would not suggest the Bubbie 5 for playing in a band - it is strictly a practice tuba. You would be far better going for a TE333 Elf Eb tuba or TB330 Imp BBb tuba - both of which are light and easy to play in band setting. And both are 3-valve and therefore do not require use of left arm. I regularly hear a woman who plays an Elf in band and that projects nicely - and is a very well in tune tuba with the restrictions of being a 3-valve tuba. She has a 4-valve compensator as well and often plays the Elf in preference.

[davewerden]

To amplify a point above, TubaChristmas is indeed for baritones, euphoniums, and tubas (and Sousaphones). This concept was created by tubist Harvey Phillips and he specifically included euphoniums, but he referred to them as tenor tubas* in those days. When the current International Tuba-Euphonium Association (ITEA) began life, it was called Tubists Universal Brotherhood Association, which by an astounding coincidence spelled T.U.B.A. Before long, they began to realize that the name implied it was for tubas only, even though they all assumed "tenor tubas" would be included. T.U.B.A. wanted to be sure euphonium players did not feel slighted, so the created an executive role of Euphonium Coordinator.

* In common usage in those days and today, "tenor tuba" is more of a role than a design of instrument. A euphonium does a dandy job of being a tenor tuba, adding an upper octave to the bass sound. But the primary roles of euphonium are as a melody and counter-melody instrument. I'd say the tenor tuba role is tertiary.

The "cutesy" application of "tenor tuba" to euphonium in general has gone away. However, I suspect that if Harvey were alive and just now creating a Christmas horn concept, he would still call it TubaChristmas for marketing reasons. His idea was to get our instruments in front of people as much as possible. While some of us might also like the name "euphonium" to become more commonly-known, it doesn't fit well into a marketing/branding name unless abbreviated, which kinda defeats the purpose. TubaEuphoniumChristmas is really stretching the point, and TubaEuphChristmas would just create confusion. Besides, those huge bells on the tuba are bound to attract photographers! And Sousaphones can easily add highly-visible messaging with bell covers.

Here is a photo from one of the TC events, showing a nice mix of horns (not to mention the Sousaphone covers I referred to). It also shows the mix of ages. Harvey welcomed anyone from ages 8 to 88 (I think that is the way he put it, although I'm guessing that top number gets pushed higher!) You can click the photo to get a larger view.

[ghmerrill]

I have played in Tuba Christmas events that included ophicleides and serpents -- which I consider as coloring outside the lines. Also, Dave left out helicons -- of which we must wholeheartedly approve.

I have been unhappy with the renaming of the old T.U.B.A organization since it turned a perfectly good cult into something more politically correct and perhaps less mystical. Honestly, a "universal brotherhood" vs. a "tuba-euphonium association"? What's the marketing sense in that change? The first conjures images of black-robed mystics; the second of music geeks with brass instruments.

[John Morgan]

...Here is a photo from one of the TC events, showing a nice mix of horns (not to mention the Sousaphone covers I referred to). It also shows the mix of ages. Harvey welcomed anyone from ages 8 to 88 (I think that is the way he put it, although I'm guessing that top number gets pushed higher!) You can click the photo to get a larger view.

I now serve as the coordinator for Rapid City TubaChristmas. Speaking of ages, we had a gentleman (who comes every year) who was 93 years old playing in Dec 2018. Hope I can last that long!!

I belonged to T.U.B.A. before it became ITEA. Even being a euphonium player, I have to admit that T.U.B.A. sounded much better than ITEA (spelled out versions, also). But, it did probably make the less informed think that it was ONLY tubas, not euphoniums and baritone horns, also.

[ghmerrill]

Just noticed this on the Tubenet Forsale list: https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee...818588069.html.

Interesting little horn at a decent price. Looks like a Mirafone/Cerveny clone. If interested, you might call Tom McGrady and ask him how good it is, weight, etc. He doesn't sell this model any longer. On the Tubenet page, the seller says he'll ship via Greyhound (which is inexpensive and how Tom himself has traditionally shipped). It's a 3-valve (Tom now sells a similar 4-valve for about $1,700). If Tom says it's a good horn, it could be a nice acquisition. Note that the 1st valve slide is standing up in front of the top bow so you could vent the valve and easily use the slide for intonation adjustment dynamically. That's what I did with my Cerveny 781 and then rarely used the 4th valve after that.

May be worth a look. Rotary valves are a LOT easier to take care of than piston valves (basically requiring no care at all).