For Those Who Love the Tuba, This Holiday Event is Musical Heaven

senior Claude Bond can't wait to feel the vibrations of hundreds of tubas booming beneath his feet at his second Tuba Christmas. 

Classmate Ben Pearson, tuning up for his third Tuba Christmas, thinks it's cool to be part of a musical tradition that's been going on for 36 years. 

Pearson and Bond are two of 18 high school and middle school tuba and euphonium players from headed for "Tuba Christmas," where this Saturday they will oom-pa with tuba players from across the country.  The event's being held at the Palmer House in downtown Chicago.

If Tuba Christmas is a holiday tradition that is new to you, here's a little background. Young and old tuba and euphonium players gather every year to celebrate the holiday season by playing together in towns all around the country. 

It was created by the "Paganini of the Tuba" Harvey Phillips, tuba professor emeritus from Indiana University.  The Chicago event typically draws about 350 players from across the globe. And rookie high school players are welcome to boom right along with maestros from the best orchestras in the country. 

"I get a great opportunity to perform with a symphony of tubas and euphoniums in a great ballroom," Bond said. 

This is the third year Plainfield East High School Director of Bands David Lesniak has brought students to Tuba Christmas and the 10th year he's been a part of it. In addition to high school students, there will also be musicians from and s.