About

About Jacksonville Tuba Xmas – a History

Tuba, euphonium, baritone and sousaphone players gather at the SeaWalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach

for Tuba Christmas every second Saturday in December. Since 1995 this event has become a highlight of

the holiday music season on the First Coast and is one of hundreds of TUBACHRISTMAS events world-

wide partnered with the Harvey Phillips Foundation.

2022 is the 48th anniversary for TUBACHRISTMAS concerts/events which are presented throughout the

world. TUBACHRISTMAS was conceived in 1974 by Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher and mentor

William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. Through the legendary William J. Bell we reflect on our

heritage and honor all great artists/teachers whose legacy has given us high performance standards,

well structured pedagogy, professional integrity, personal values and a camaraderie envied by all other

instrumentalists. The first TUBACHRISTMAS was conducted by Paul Lavalle in New York City's Rockefeller

Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 22, 1974. Traditional Christmas music performed at the first

TUBACHRISTMAS was arranged by American composer Alec Wilder who ironically died on Christmas

Eve, 1980. Wilder composed many solo and ensemble compositions for tuba and euphonium. He was a

loyal supporter of every effort to improve the literature and public image of our chosen instruments.

Through Alec Wilder we express our respect and gratitude to all composers who continue to embrace

our instruments with their compositions and contribute to the ever growing solo and ensemble

repertoire for tuba and euphonium.

Here in Jacksonville, Art and Suna Hall launched Tuba Christmas at the Landing in 1995 after moving to

Orange Park from Boston, where he had participated in the event there. Art and Suna worked with

Sleiman Enterprises to host a new Tuba Christmas at the Jacksonville Landing on the banks of the St.

John’s River. That first year, there were 65 participants. After the closing of the Jacksonville Landing in

2019, Jacksonville Tuba Christmas found a new home at the Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach with

partners Deck the Chairs. Jacksonville Tuba Christmas has performed at Riverside Arts Market,

Jacksonville ArtWalk, corporate events, and numerous local media appearances over the years.

Jackonville’s Tuba Christmas has another claim to fame in the creative and innovative music performed

by the ensemble. Most Tuba Christmas events only perform selections from the official content, but by

making it part of our mission to grow the activity we’re a little different. Art built a relationship with Dr.

William (Bill) Moffitt who had retired to Jacksonville after a legendary career as a college band director

(including Purdue, University of Houston, and Michigan State) and music arranger/publisher. Bill’s

arrangements are still some of the most played in band rooms around the country. Art and Bill

partnered to add new, up-tempo holiday arrangements to the folder and Bill took a few turns at the

podium conducting. While Bill passed away in 2008, the Jacksonville Tuba Christmas continues to honor

his memory with his arrangements and new arrangements inspired by Bill’s creative approach to

arranging for tuba and euphonium. Recently partnering with Professor Gail Robertson (University of

Central Arkansas) for new tunes, and in the local talents of Robb Van Eck and Larry Tallman – the music

folder continues to grow. As well, new Tuba Christmas events around the country have begun to use

some of the new tunes created right here in Jacksonville.

Taking over the baton from Dr. Moffitt in 1998, our next (and current) conductor Dr. Marcus Dickman is

from right here at the University of North Florida. Dr. Dickman is a Falcone Award wining Euphonium

player and a former protégé of Rich Matteson who pioneered the use of tubas and euphoniums in

modern jazz. Dr. Dickman holds degrees from the University of North Texas, McNeese State, and Troy

University. A founding member of the Modern Jazz Tuba Project, Marc is among the foremost experts

in Jazz Euphonium and is a Besson Performing Artist. He is also creator and executive director of the

UNF Summer Music Camps.

Robb Van Eck took over executive leadership of the ensemble as President from Art and Suna Hall after

Art’s passing in 2013 and as Suna began to enjoy her retirement years. Suna is still active with us and

continues to be our inspiration every year with her Double-Belled Euphonium. With Robb’s leadership

and partnership with area scholastic band programs the Jacksonville Tuba Christmas has grown into one

of the largest Tuba Christmas events in the world, reaching to over 200 tubas in 2019.

Larry Tallman was in the original Jacksonville Tuba Christmas and has been our Librarian and an

invaluable member of the Board of Directors since then. Larry and his wife Rose were key in the

expansion of the repertoire through their commitment and efforts to make sure that each year’s music

was ready for the players. He is also a clever arranger and continues to play in community bands and

orchestras in the Jacksonville area. Larry was also proud member of the University Florida Gator Band.

The concert is free to the public, but donations are accepted and help us offset the cost of registration

for the student members and operating costs for the event. Jacksonville’s event makes every effort to

reduce the $10 registration (used by the Phillips Foundation for continuing their mission and the costs of

buttons) for students to $5. Our vision is to enable participation in this holiday event to as many young

performers as possible, at a minimum expense to them.