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California's Gold with Huell Howser

Holiday Classic: Tuba Christmas

Huell attends an annual holiday concert of traditional songs performed by hundreds of tubas.

Tuba Christmas was conceived in 1974 as a tribute to the late artist/teacher William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day in 1902. The first Tuba Christmas was conducted by the late Paul Lavalle in New York City, with music arranged by American composer Alec Wilder, who ironically died on Christmas Eve in 1980. Tuba Christmas concerts are held each year in many cities across the United States and various locations worldwide.