The musicians readied, their tubas and euphoniums and more warmed and ready.
And for the next little while on Sunday, Dec. 24, the community convened for anther Salem Tuba Holiday.
The Christmas Eve tradition at downtown’s Elsinore Theatre has been a holiday staple since the 1990s.
The musicians, a blend of professionals and amateurs, worked their way through holiday classics. Those watching from the audience could participate too, joining in sing-alongs, lyrics provided to take away reasons to shrug and stay quiet.
Members of the audience enjoy the silliness from the members of the Salem Tuba Holiday concert ensemble on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)Alissa Austin from Albany puts the finishing touches on their euphonium before the start of Salem Tuba Holiday at the Elsinore Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)A member of the Salem Tuba Holiday concert ensemble plays their tuba on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)Jokulhlaup (Icelandic for “Glacier Run”) waits for his turn to play at the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)John Skelton conductd the Salem Tuba Holiday ensemble on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)Joan Paddock provides some holiday swag with a scarf over her euphonium bell at the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)A member of the tuba ensemble during the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)John Skelton conducts the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)Many members of the tuba ensemble sported souvenir hats and buttons for every year they have played in the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)A member of the tuba ensemble waits for their turn to play at Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)A member of the tuba ensemble at Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)John Skelton, conductor, introduces himself and the theme of the show at the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)Nothing like a tuba concert to to bring happiness on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023.(LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)Many attendees dressed in holiday gear for the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)Jokulhlaup (Icelandic for “Glacier Run”) explains the finer points of tuba playing to friends before the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)The Paschall family arrived early to attend the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)Zak and Ivy Zundel take a closer look at the Christmas tree in the lobby of the Elsinore Theatre while attending the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)The Salem Tuba Holiday concert on stage with John Skelton conducting at the Elsinore Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)The lobby of the Elsinore Theatre was filled with eager attendees of the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023.(LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)Jeff Witt, guest vocalist, hits a high note at the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)Andy Bellando demonstrates the idea of holiday bling on his baritone tuba at the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023.(LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)The view from backstage of the almost full house at Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)
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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
