The Mid-Ohio Valley will come alive with the sounds of music as the county continues its celebration of the Christmas season.
Marietta College's eighth annual Tuba Christmas, to be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at Friederich Theatre at Marietta College, promises more of the "unique arrangements" that concert goers enjoy every year, said Daniel Monek, music department chairman.
Tuba and euphonium players from the valley and beyond arrive on campus Saturday morning to rehearse the set of Christmas carols they will perform later in the day.
The impromptu concert known as Tuba Christmas was created by Harvey Phillips as an annual event honoring his teacher, the late great tubist William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day in 1902.
The family friendly concert is given its uniqueness by the absence of traditional melody instruments like flutes, trumpets and clarinets.
"It's large, low-sounding instruments playing Christmas carols," said Monek.
Warren High School will play host to two popular annual concerts in mid December-the 26th holiday concert at 8 p.m. Dec. 17 and the 52nd Christmas concert scheduled for 8 p.m. Dec. 19.
Both concerts will be performed at the high school's auditorium and are free to the public, with donations accepted.
The Dec. 17 concert will feature ringing by the school's beginning, intermediate and advanced hand bell groups; men's bass choir; women's treble choir; and voice class.
Each group will perform three or four pieces, said Mary Margaret Nuzum, vocal music/hand bell director.
"There will be both sacred and familiar Christmas carols that people know," she said.
Halfway through the concert, "The bells will go out into the audience and surround the audience. They will be ringing while people are singing," Nuzum said.
A festive candlelight procession and recessional to the strains of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" will be the highlights of Warren High School's Dec. 18 Christmas concert.
The school's Acapella and Bells III choirs will perform.
"The first portion of the concert is the choir singing sacred songs, and the bells will ring after that," said Nuzum.
During the concert's secular portion the group will perform pieces like "Deck the Halls" and "Carol the Bells."
Music from Bach, Vivaldi and Handel-titans of 18th century composing-will take center stage at the "Bright Baroque" Trillium Piano Trio concert to be held at the Castle from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 23.
"The Trillium Piano Trio always brings something new to the table," said the Castle's education director Leah Magyary.
"(Their music is) very good for people who are classical music listeners and for those who are new to classical music and just want to hear some good music," she added.
Magyary called the Bright Baroque event "a social gathering" as well as a concert.
"We try to make it a very festive affair. The castle is very elaborately decorated for Christmas," she said.
Hot tea and sweets will be served during intermission-a la the style of a Victorian era tea-in the Castle's summer kitchen.
Reservations are strongly encouraged as seating is limited, and can be made at 374-4180.
If you go
The Local Girls holiday concert, Washington State Community College
When: 8 p.m. Saturday.
Where: WSCC's Graham Auditorium.
Cost: Free. Advance reservations are recommended at 374-8716, ext. 2107.
Tuba Christmas, Marietta College
When: 4 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Marietta College, Friederich Theatre.
Cost: Free, offering accepted.
Country CHRISTmas Caroling
When: 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 15.
Where: Cutler Community Center, 4550 Two Mile Run Road, Cutler.
Christmas with the Concert Choir, presented by Marietta College
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 16.
Where: St. Mary's Catholic Church, Marietta.
Cost: Free, offering accepted.
Warren High School 26th Holiday Concert
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 17.
Where: Warren High School Auditorium, 130 Warrior Drive, Vincent.
Cost: Free, accepting donations.
Warren High School 52nd Acapella Christmas Concert
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 19.
Where: Warren High School Auditorium, 130 Warrior Drive, Vincent.
Cost: Free, accepting donations.
"Bright Baroque" Trillium Piano Trio concert
When: 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 23.
Where: The Castle, 418 Fourth St., Marietta.
Cost: $15 adults; $12.50 members; $10 children.
