Milbank Musicians Play in 46th Annual Merry TUBACHRISTMAS

The 46th Annual Merry TUBACHRISTMAS was celebrated in Aberdeen on Saturday, December 14. Milbank attendees included: Joe Harstad, Ian Liebe, Isaac Sousa, Drake Rogers, Will Karels, and Trystan Fischer. They were accompanied to the event by Susan Karels, band director for the Milbank Schools.

The group practiced and then performed at the Lakewood Mall, Walmart, and Target. Musicians ranged in age from a fifth grader to players in their 50s. MHS senior Joe Harstad marked his fifth year of participation.

TUBACHRISTMAS began in 1974 as a tribute to the late William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day in 1902. Performances are comprised only of tubas and euphonium and are held around the world to gain recognition for these instruments. The Kansas City Symphony set a new Guinness World Record in December 2018. The 835 tubas and euphoniums played Silent Night for five minutes and shattered the precious record of 504 instruments.