Graphic belongs to the Perry Instrumental Music Department

A local organization in the Perry community is gearing up for a big holiday performance this weekend.

The Perry Fine Arts is putting together the 50th annual Tuba Christmas Concert on Saturday at the First United Methodist Church, 1100 3rd Street, in Perry. Fine Arts Chairperson Cathy Clark tells Raccoon Valley Radio that anyone who plays either a tuba or euphonium is welcome to bring their instrument to be apart of the show. 

She shares the story of a man named William Bell, who was preparing to be a band master in Des Moines. However, he became ill and came to live with his sister, who resided in Perry. Clark confirms that Bell eventually passed away at the Dallas County Hospital in 1971 and is now buried in Violet Hill Cemetery, in Perry. She says that Perry Fine Arts has been honoring Bell since 1974, as they held Tuba Day on the first Saturday in the month of November. Clark describes the process of how tuba players would celebrate Bell’s memory.

“After the concert, the tuba players would go out to Violet Hill and play in the cemetery around the grave. Through the legendary William Bell, we reflect on the heritage and honor great artists and professors, whose legacy has given us high standards of presentation, a well structured pedagogy, professional integrity and personal values, and a fellowship shared with all other instrumentalists.”

Clark notes that the Tuba Christmas Concert began in Perry four years ago. She outlines people of all ages interested in performing with a tuba or euphonium can drop by the First United Methodist Church at 10am to register for $10, with rehearsal at 10:30am, followed by the main performance at 1pm. Clark adds that Perry High School Band Director Blaine Schmidt will be conducting the show.