Salem Tuba Holiday returned to the Elsinore Theatre for another Christmas Eve show.  The concert began at noon Wednesday, though musicians began rehearsing at 9 a.m.  Over 50 musicians played, carrying with them tubas, euphoniums and baritone horns decorated with colorful tinsel. Performers wore festive green “Tuba Christmas” and Santa hats.  By noon, the theater was filled from the floor to the balcony with hundreds of smiling faces and more Santa hats.  Several songs welcomed audience participation, turning the audience into a community choir. Jeff Witt joined the brass ensemble to sing a handful of songs, with his operatic voice prompting an emotional response from some audience members. Conductor John Skelton and the Salem Tuba Holiday ensemble rehearse before the noon performance. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Arkaidian, 12, practices with chamber group during rehearsals for Salem Tuba Holiday. He is among the youngest musicians in the ensemble. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A Santa hat drapes over a music stand after rehearsals. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A musician adjusts his instrument during rehearsals. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Conductor John Skelton directs rehearsals. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A musician listens to conductor John Skelton during rehearsals. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A crowd gathers outside the Elsinore ahead of the concert. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Mateo Moreno, 13, points out his parents in the audience before the concert. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) The music score for Salem Tuba Holiday rests on a performer’s music stand. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) John Skelton is ready to hit the stage for the concert, which had a noon start time. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Hundred listen to Conductor John Skelton during the concert. Between songs, Skelton entertained the audience with clever jokes. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Bobby Feldhousen plays a large tuba during the concert. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) John Skelton conducts the brass ensemble. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Musicians practice during rehearsals before the concert. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Jeff Witt sings during the concert. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Audience members listen to conductor John Skelton between songs. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A musician plays his instrument during rehearsals. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Sam Kinney’s festively-decorate instrument rests under his seat after rehearsals. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A musician plays his instrument during rehearsals. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A young musician flips through the music on her stand between songs. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A Santa hat rests on a brass instrument after rehearsals. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A performer plays tuba during the Salem Tuba Holiday concert. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Have a news tip? Contact reporter Hailey Cook: [email protected] . LOCAL NEWS DELIVERED TO YOU: Subscribe to Salem Reporter and get all the fact-based Salem news that matters to you. Fair, accurate, trusted – SUBSCRIBE The post PHOTOS: Hundreds join brass instruments in song for Christmas Eve appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less