Tuba Day 🎵

Overview

Tuba Day, celebrated on the first Friday in May each year, is a special holiday dedicated to recognizing and appreciating the often-overlooked contributions of tuba and euphonium players. Established by renowned tubist Harvey Phillips in 1979, the day highlights these musicians who provide the foundational bass voice and harmonic support in orchestras, concert bands, marching bands, and various musical ensembles worldwide.

Origin and story

Tuba Day was founded by acclaimed American tubist Harvey Phillips in 1979.

The tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched instrument in the modern brass family.

Quick facts

• DateMay 2
• TypeCultural / community observance
• Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams

Also on this date

People also viewed

Ways to celebrate

The man behind this day spent decades building an entire calendar of tuba-centered events. Harvey Phillips, known as "Mr. Tuba," founded Tuba Day in 1979, but he's best known for creating TUBACHRISTMAS in 1974 as a tribute to his teacher William J. Bell — a tradition that started with a single 1974 concert at Rockefeller Plaza's ice rink and has since grown into ensemble performances in more than 250 cities across the U.S. and Canada every December.

Actually listen to one

• Seek out a recording, or a local concert, featuring tuba as a lead or solo instrument rather than just background bass in an ensemble.

Read about the man who built the tradition

Helpful resources: TUBACHRISTMAS's own site tells Harvey Phillips's story and the tradition he built around the instrument on its About page.

Support young tuba players

• If there's a school band program near you, ask how you can support instrument funding — tubas are expensive, and school programs are often short on them.

Did you know?

Phillips commissioned more than 200 new works for tuba over his career, deliberately expanding what had been a thin repertoire for the instrument, and in 2007 became the only wind player ever inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame.

Fun facts

• Tuba Day was founded by acclaimed American tubist Harvey Phillips in 1979.
• The tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched instrument in the modern brass family.
• The holiday aims to bring appreciation to tuba and euphonium players, who often play crucial but less prominent roles in musical ensembles.

Sources and attribution

• The History of TUBACHRISTMAS (Harvey Phillips Foundation)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

Continue your streak

Open one more holiday before you go to build daily momentum.

• Yesterday: Lei DayQuick context from the day before.
• Tomorrow: National Two Different Colored Shoes DayKeep the streak going with tomorrow's pick.
• Random pick: Tutankhamun's Tomb Discovery DayJump to another surprise holiday.
• Popular: National TV Dinner DayA fan favorite with broad appeal.

Related holidays

• TV Talk Show Host DayExplore another holiday from this category.
• Twilight Zone DayExplore another holiday from this category.
• VCR DayExplore another holiday from this category.

FAQ

When is Tuba Day?

It is observed on the first Friday of May each year.

What is Tuba Day?

Tuba Day, celebrated on the first Friday in May each year, is a special holiday dedicated to recognizing and appreciating the often-overlooked contributions of tuba and euphonium players. Established by renowned tubist Harvey Phillips in 1979, the day highlights these musicians who provide the foundational bass voice and harmonic support in orchestras, concert bands, marching bands, and various musical ensembles worldwide.

How do people celebrate Tuba Day?

Seek out music that features tuba as a lead instrument, and read up on Harvey Phillips, 'Mr. Tuba,' who founded this day in 1979 and built the massive TUBACHRISTMAS tradition.

Recently viewed holidays