Holiday Music and Events: Spotlight on Roane County

Holiday decorations, music, and events are the welcoming signs of the Yuletide Season.  Across the communities of Roane County, activities abound for merry makers who are seeking to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the holiday season.

Harriman’s 30^th Annual Merry TubaChristmas – On Saturday, December 1, 2018, the melodious sounding tuba/euphonium choir under the direction of Sande MacMorran will perform carols and songs of Christmas. Tuba/sousaphone, euphonium/baritone players of all degrees of ability are invited to participate in this event. This will take place at the Harriman High School James M. Williamson auditorium in Harriman.  Registration for participants is 9:30 am, rehearsal is 10:00 am, and the free public concert is at 11:45 am.

MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS (worldwide) is celebrating its 45th Anniversary (1974-2018)   Created by Harvey Phillips. MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS 2018 concerts will be presented in over 300 cities throughout the United States and in several foreign countries.  Phillips was inspired to create TUBACHRISTMAS as an annual event honoring his mentor/teacher the late great tubist William J. Bell (born Christmas Day, 1902).  Every Christmas season, tuba and euphonium players of all ages, from specific geographic areas, gather to pay respect – through William J. Bell – to all the great artists/teachers who represent their heritage. Every TUBACHRISTMAS performance features traditional Christmas carols especially arranged (for the first TUBACHRISTMAS, December 22, 1974 on “The Rink at Rockefeller Center”) by American composer Alec Wilder (died Christmas Eve, 1980). Through Wilder,TUBACHRISTMAS concerts pay grateful tribute  to  composers who have embraced these noble instruments with solo and ensemble compositions. Depending on the population of any given geographic area, TUBACHRISTMAS   ensembles may attract multiples of 100 participants aged 8 to over 90 years! The warm, rich organ-like sound of the tuba-euphonium choir has won the ears and hearts of every audience. It is no wonder that TUBACHRISTMAS has become an established Christmas tradition in cities   throughout the world.  Please consult: http://www.tubachristmas.com/

After the show, indulge at Amazing Bakes Cookies & Cakes for a sweet treat.

Rockwood Tour of Homes – December 1 – Join us as we continue celebration Rockwood’s 150th anniversary by enjoying the sights of some of Rockwood’s finest homes decked out in holiday finery.  This is a self-guided Tour, so feel free to linger at your leisure! This event is sponsored by Rockwood 2020.

Cornstalk Heights Christmas Tour of Homes – December 8&9 – Now in its 28th year, the Cornstalk Heights Historical Community Organization has taken the second weekend of December to present a tour of private residences, presenting the best of Cornstalk Heights Historic District. The famous tour of homes displays residences generously decorated to reflect the grandeur of the elaborate Victorian theme or to match the period of the house itself. These personally guided tours afford a rare opportunity to glimpse a by-gone era and experience the warmth of the season in a truly old-fashioned style. Most homes in Cornstalk Heights are over 100 years old and Victorian in architectural style. Lavishly decorated for the holidays, they recall the late 19th Century birth of the traditional American Christmas: elaborately decorated mantels, towering Christmas trees and pine, holly and mistletoe on stairs and chandeliers.