One of the oldest traditions in Perry is returning this Saturday, as the Perry Fine Arts Group is once again hosting a gathering of tuba players.

The 40th Annual William Bell Memorial Tuba and Euphonium Day will be held Saturday, starting at 12:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. The day will start with registration for those wanting to participate. Musicians of all ages are invited to take part, though you will have to supply your own instrument. There will be rehearsal and a clinic starting at 1, followed by a performance by clinician John Manning at 3. A public concert featuring the entire ensemble will be held at 4 p.m. at the church.

Following that, the musicians will head to Violet Hill Cemetery, where William Bell is buried, and play a special memorial concert at the famous tuba player’s grave. There will be a reception following the cemetery performance, which will include free refreshments and planning for next year’s event. Perry Fine Arts Committee member Cathy Clark says the Tuba Day festivities are something very unique that everyone should see at some point. “It’s a different kind of entertainment, but we really have a good time! We’ve been doing it forever, so it’s a well-established tradition. And so please come and listen to it!”

There is no cost to attend any of Saturday’s concerts, though free-will donations will be accepted with all proceeds going towards future Fine Arts Group concerts. Cost to participate in the tuba clinic is $10 for students and $15 for adults, which can be paid the day of the event. For more information on this and other upcoming concerts in Perry, click the link below to listen to the Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program with Clark.

https://raccoonvalleyradio.com/2018/09/lets-talk-dallas-county-9272018-cathy-clark/