WATCH: The booming sounds of more than 100 tubas will ring out across Victoria this Saturday. Ceilidh Millar reports.
Paul Beauchesne’s tuba career began as a teenager when he heard a famous television jingle.
“That was the time like in the 70s when the A&W commercial was on TV with the root bear. I thought that was the coolest song,” said Beauchesne.
The famous bear sparked the beginning of his musical journey – kept afloat the last four decades by a desire to perform.
Now, the principal tuba player for the Victoria Symphony, Beauschene will be at the helm of Saturday’s 40th anniversary of a concert like no other – Tuba Christmas.
“Many people have told me that for them that’s when Christmas starts is when the Tuba Christmas event happens,” added Beauchesne.
Tuba Christmas, a beloved tradition in Victoria since 1978, brings together tuba and euphonium players from across the Pacific Northwest for a two-hour musical performance in market square.
This is the 45th anniversary since the inaugural Tuba Christmas, which began in New York City in 1974, and is currently held in more than 300 cities around the world.
The free performance in Victoria is being organized by the University of Victoria’s School of Music, with all proceeds from the event being donated to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund.
For the first time ever, CHEK News will be live streaming the entire performance on our Facebook page starting just before 1:00 PM on Saturday.
Join host Ceilidh Millar for a 20-minute intermission show which will include interviews with conductor Paul Beauchesne and other musicians.
Ceilidh Millar
