Some Tuba Christmas Greetings

Happy Holidays from Illustrated Journalism

Don’t underestimate the sound of tubas to conjure up that joyful feeling of the holidays. I drew at a Tuba Christmas event recently in the Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. They were part of a worldwide group celebrating their 51st year, where tuba and euphonium players gather and play. Families came together. Instruments were decorated. I had a great vantage point in which to focus in on the musicians and their instruments. It was a fun and festive occasion filled with holiday cheer. Here are some drawings.

Lori Karns conducts at a Tuba Christmas event in San Francisco, with just one travel tuba musician showing.

This musician wears a stylish bowler hat while playing the double valve compensating euphonium.

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to play the tuba loud for all to hear.

These tubists created a deep, resonant harmony with their rich, brassy sound.

The Renaissance-era Serpent horn is a low-pitched wind instrument named for its long, conical bore bent into a snakelike shape, and is made from wood with an outer covering of leather.

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Happy Holidays to you and yours!