An annual program returns with some different changes this Saturday in Perry.

Cathy Clark with Perry Fine Arts says Tuba Christmas will have a performance on Saturday at 1pm at the First United Methodist Church in Perry. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio this ensemble consists of tuba and euphonium players that travel the country performing at various shows and she encourages anyone locally who plays either instrument to join them for rehearsals, with check-ins at 10am and rehearsals starting at 10:30. The music will be familiar Christmas tunes. Clark talks about her favorite part of when this ensemble performs in Perry.

“You think of tubas as oompa, oopma, it’s not. It is fantastic, it’s amazing what beautiful sound a whole bunch of them can make in addition to marches. It’s just really exciting to hear all the different kinds of sounds that can come from such an interesting instrument.”    

Clark says this is the 50th anniversary of this ensemble that started in 1974 with Harvey Phillips, as a tribute to his teacher, William Bell. She points out one difference this year is there will no longer be a tribute of the ensemble playing at Bell’s grave site in Violet Hill Cemetery. The performance is free and open to the public, although free will donations are accepted that goes back to the Perry Fine Arts and the Perry Performing Arts Center.

Additionally, there is also going to be a Christmas Boutique and Bake Sale at the church from 8:30-11am, followed by a free will donation soup luncheon at 11am.