We wish you a Tuba Christmas…live from the Morristown Green

Merry Tuba Christmas 2014. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
Merry Tuba Christmas 2014. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
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Video: Hark the Herald Tubas Sing

LEADERS OF THE BAND: John Palatucci, Matt Paterno and Marea Adessa at Merry Tuba Christmas 2014 in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
LEADERS OF THE BAND: John Palatucci, Matt Paterno and Marea Adessa at Merry Tuba Christmas 2014 in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Baby, it was cold outside.

But that did not stop 54 tubists and euphonistas from converging on the Morristown Green on Saturday for the third annual Merry Tuba Christmas.

They came from as far as the Shore and Pennsylvania, and spanned the generations. Carl Wilhjelm of Pompton Plains took senior honors at age 86; David Lamm of Randolph was the ensemble’s junior member at 12.

“It was a little chilly on my fingers,” conceded David. No matter. “I think I will do it again. It was really fun all around.”

The orchestra had one hour to rehearse, at Morristown High School.

This year’s amalgamation was led by Matt Paterno of the Hanover Wind Symphony, filling in for Morristown High’s band director, Doug Rutan.  Matt was assisted by John Palatucci and Marea Adessa.

Photos by Jeff Sovelove.

 

“It’s nice to be part of something that’s happening all over the country, and to bring a piece of it to Morristown,” Matt said.

Conceived by Harvey Phillips,  Tuba Christmas got its start in 1974 at New York City’s Rockefeller Center as a tribute to Harvey’s teacher, the late tuba legend William J. Bell (born Christmas Day, 1902).

Scores of performances are held around the U.S. each holiday season. But it’s hard to imagine any of them out-tooting Saturday’s crew.
Video: We Wish You a Tuba Christmas

 

READ MORE:

Merry Tuba Christmas 2013

Merry Tuba Christmas 2012

HALE AND HEARTY: Carl Wilhjelm of Pompton Plains, going strong at 86. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
HALE AND HEARTY: Carl Wilhjelm of Pompton Plains, going strong at 86. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Conductor Matt Paterno with the youngest member of the holiday tuba symphony, David Lamm, 12, of Randolph. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Conductor Matt Paterno with the youngest member of the holiday tuba symphony, David Lamm, 12, of Randolph. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

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