Tuba Christmas 2019 has raised more than $4,300聽for the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund.
鈥淭he unofficial grand total is $4,345.15,鈥� said conductor Paul Beauchesne, principal tubist with the Victoria Symphony. 鈥淚t鈥檚 astounding generosity to collect that much money in that period of time.鈥�
The annual concert featured an impromptu band of more than 100 musicians young and old playing traditional Christmas carols on tubas, baritones, euphoniums and sousaphones in Market Square for a couple of hours last Saturday.
People dropped money into a tuba at the front of the stage and into donation bags that were circulated through the crowd, collecting loonies, toonies, 10s, 20s and even $50 bills and a few cheques, Beauchesne said.
Over the years, the concerts have raised close to $60,000. Last year, Tuba Christmas raised a record $3,000.
鈥淭he number of musicians was a little lower than last year, which was our 40th anniversary,鈥� said Beauchesne. 鈥淏ut we were still more than 100 and I鈥檓 glad it went really well.鈥�
A video stream has had more than 10,000 views and tons of photos are floating around on social media, he said.
Donate to the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund
鈥� Go to . That takes you to the Canada Helps website, which is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
鈥� Mail a cheque, payable to Times 91原创 Christmas Fund Society, to the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund, 2621 Douglas St., Victoria, B.C. V8T 4M2.
鈥� Use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Outside those hours, leave a message, we鈥檒l call back.
