Schaumburg tubas join holiday concert downtown

Schaumburg High School music department chair Kevin Miller isn't one to miss a chance to toot his own horn when it comes to talking about his band students.

With the holiday season in full swing, his students are prepping for a tradition: TubaChristmas.

I've experienced TubaChristmas as a high school student. Before we talk about the sound, we must address the image: a bunch of bulky tuba players together as an ensemble. You can't forget that.

TubaChristmas is part of the docket for the high school's annual holiday concerts. The concert and symphonic bands play Tuesday Dec. 15, with the cadet band, wind symphony and trumpet ensembles playing on Wednesday, Dec. 16. TubaChristmas plays both nights with performances starting at 7:30 p.m.

"We hope that the community can join us in this musical celebration of the holiday season," Miller said. "The music performed will feature many traditional favorites, as well as a few surprises."

The Schaumburg tubas will make their way on Dec. 19 to a tuba celebration downtown at Chicago's Palmer House Hilton, where about 400 tuba players from the Chicago area will unite and perform. That's where I saw TubaChristmas in high school. It's definitely worth checking out.