TubaChristmas blasts notes of joy through rain, fog in return to Akron

All things considered, Saturday’s TubaChristmas was a resounding success with performers and audience alike.

That it even occurred was an impressive feat worthy of the Christmas season.

The 41st TubaChristmas, canceled last year because of the pandemic, was originally scheduled as an indoor event, said founder Tucker Jolly.

“We had planned this year inside,” Jolly said in an interview the day before the concert. “Things have changed. Instead of canceling it, we thought we would try to do it outside.”

So, with COVID-19 cases on the rise again, the event was scheduled to take place outside E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. The fourth deck of the North Parking Garage on Buchtel Avenue became the inclement weather backup.

Being December in Northeast Ohio, the third option came into play; about 130 people performed for at least a couple of hundred viewers assembled four stories high on a rainy, foggy day.

The performers ranged in age from 12 to 83 years old. Though Jolly himself has retired, he still teaches part-time at the University of Akron.

“Did I ever think I would be a 74-year-old man doing this?” he said. “It has exceeded my expectations dramatically.”

'Awesome' experience for first-time partipant

Lilly Wicks, 13, played in her first TubaChristmas, her instrument decorated with lights.

“My neighbor told me about it and I asked my [band] director about it,” she said.

Lilly said she received her music Saturday morning and said it was pretty easy to pick up.

Her father, Lester Wicks of Mogadore, encouraged his daughter to play and wasn’t disappointed.

“I thought it was awesome,” he said. “I didn’t realize how big it was.”

Playing in memory of a loved one lost to COVID-19

Sam Wood of Canton was one of five family members to play Saturday.

It was a bittersweet concert for Wood, whose father, Charles Wood, died of COVID-19 complications in September.

“It’s always been a family tradition that we come,” he said. “It [gives] a sense of normalcy.”

Wood’s uncle, David Medley of Canton, his brother, Michael Medley of Canton, and Michael Medley’s son Zach, 10, all played in the concert.

Family bundles up little ones eager to sing along

It was the first TubaChristmas for the Foleys of Cleveland, and it will be one to remember, they said.

“Yesterday, I was listening to NPR, and it sounded really, really, nice,” said John Foley of Cleveland.

His wife, Danielle Foley, heard about the event and they decided to start a family tradition, she said.

The Foleys bundled up their children Edith, 8, and Oona, 3, and brought them to Akron.

A tradition started, and it was a hit with Oona, who was waiting to sing along with “Jingle Bells.”

“I like it when they sing 'la, la, la,'” Oona said.

Danielle Foley said she plans to come to future TubaChristmases, hoping they’ll be indoors in coming years.

“Hopefully, it will be a little less bleak,” John Foley said, impressed by the music and the turnout. “To see that kind of dedication and still see so many people. …”

Audience participation is part of the mirth

Steve Banis of Richfield Village said his daughter, Michelle Banis of Alliance, persuaded him to come.

“She is a music lover, a former marching band student,” he said.

Michelle Banis and her sorority started a TubaChristmas event at the University of Mount Union in 2014, but it’s been on hold during the coronavirus pandemic, she said.

She’s played in the Akron event four times, but was on the viewing side this time.

“I’m not a tuba player by trade,” she said, “but I do my best.”

In her first stint as an audience member, she was ready to jingle her keys for “Jingle Bells,” a tradition at the event.

They followed the sound of music to the relocated performance

It was an emotional event for Christi Meyer of Lodi.

“My kid used to play,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to come and see the next generation.”

He son lives in Washington, D.C., now, but she was texting photos to him.

Her husband, the Rev. Bob Meyer, is pastor at Wayne Presbyterian Church in Wooster said the parking lot setting felt more authentic to the season.

“It seems like it’s more in the spirit of the original Christmas,” he said. “We’re learning in COVID times to adapt.”

Christi Meyer said she and her husband weren’t sure of the location, but when they got close, they rolled down the car window and followed the sound of “Good King Wenceslas” to the 4th floor.

After the event, Jolly said he was pleased with the outcome.

“Given the situation, I thought it went wonderfully,” he said.

In pre-pandemic performances at the Akron Civic Theatre and E.J. Thomas, as many as 600 tuba players and 5,000 viewers came to the two performances.

Jolly said the tradition will continue in 2022, but he wasn’t confident it would return to an indoor setting.

“Next year, we hope to do it in some fashion,” he said.

At least one player is ready to sign up for next year.

“Wherever it is, we’ll be there,” said Zach Meyer.

A few TubaChristmas dates

1980: Tucker Jolly organizes first Akron Tuba Christmas with 55 players assembled outside Cascade Plaza.

1981: Event takes place in a hallway in Quaker Square with about 90 players.

1983: Last concert at Quaker Square; about 180 players participate.

1985: Two concerts at the Civic Theatre. About 2,500 viewers and 400 to 500 players.

2002: 600 tuba players; 1,000 viewers are turned away at first concert.

2007: Event moves to E.J. Thomas Hall at the University of Akron; 350 players and more than 1,700 players come out during a blizzard.

2020: Performance canceled due to coronavirus pandemic.

2021: Event returns — outdoors — as pandemic condition continue. Wet weather forces move from E.J. Thomas Hall fountain steps to parking deck.

Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: TubaChristmas returns to Akron, weathers move to parking deck