Tubas and Tinnitus

Holiday sounds and weird noises

Today’s post is purely in the spirit of the holiday and straight-up reportage. (Thanks to

Bill Russell

for the inspiration.)

On Saturday, Dec. 16th the 32nd Annual Tuba Christmas Concert was held in Portland, Oregon at Pioneer Square.

Usually the weather for the event is either raining…or cold…or cold AND raining. But this year the weather was bright and sunny with a decent temperature in the 50s, which made for an exceptional turnout of people to this fun event.

If you’ve never heard nearly 250 tubas and other brass instruments play Christmas Music like they were going to blow down the walls of Jericho, then you’re in luck. I recorded the event while I also took notes on the performers, who I later sketched.

Here’s a sample of the concert.

And now the art…

Here’s a few sketches of the various musicians at the event. (Pithy comments added in the captions.)

What? You expected him to play the Piccolo?

Studying the music and waiting.

This Euphoniumist(?) must have just reclaimed his instrument from the pawn shop. Note the tag.

When not playing tuba, this guy fills in for the Big Bad Wolf. Look at that lung power!

A Tuba Elf. I guess it’s a thing in Portland. Be wary if he asks to polish your brass instrument.

Euphonium Euphoria

U of O Festive Tuba Players. I like that one of them has thoughtfully brought gift wrap to the concert.

Where were we?

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And now for the Tinnitus part of the newsletter…

Since I don’t know when to leave well enough alone, I decided to deconstruct, decontextualize and otherwise mess with the recordings I made at the Tuba fest.

Here’s “Joy to the World” slowed down multiple times, then layered, and then remixed with Tibetan Chants and various bells. I call it “Joy To The Drone.”

Totally weird and 100% experimental. Not exactly everyone’s favorite cup o’ wassel. But since I love dabbling in making ambient music now and then, I couldn’t pass up a chance to have fun with Tuba sounds.

After I listened to this, it made me think, “Hmm. A Tibetan Monk on acid trapped in a church bell tower, while having flash backs to watching Zardoz and a Christmas Carol too many times.” Strap on your headphones for this one, if you’re brave enough.

Maybe also load up on few rum soaked eggnogs…or psychedelic mushrooms. Whichever works best for ya.

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I hope you have a wonderful Christmas… or Boxing Day… or Kwanzaa… or Festivus. Either way let us all hope that we go into the new year with an attitude of peace and love.

I’ll be back in January with more comedy, comics and audio hi-jinx.

Until then, my dog, Zeke, gives you a Holiday wish.