Ohio University Southern ushers in a series of Christmas concerts beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday with “Tubonium,” a Marshall University-based ensemble playing Christmas music and other holiday favorites on several tubas and euphoniums. The concert will be in the Ohio University Southern Riffe Center Mains Rotunda in Ironton.

Admission is free.

Marshall University’s Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble is named “Tubonium” after the two instruments that are found in the ensemble — tuba and euphonium.  The group is comprised of Marshall University students and Huntington-area community members, and is

under the direction of Marshall’s tuba instructor Dr. George Palton.

“They perform music representing a variety of styles and genres written and arranged specifically for tuba and euphonium, including popular Christmas and seasonal music,” Dr. Pat McCoy, concert series coordinator, said. “The ensemble performs several times a year on the Marshall campus and throughout the Tri-State.”

Among its most popular annual performances at Marshall are the “Tubaween” concert, which is performed near Halloween; “West Virginia Tuba Christmas”; “Tuba

Valentines!”; and “Marshall Tuba and Euphonium Day” that features guest

clinicians and performers.

To learn more about “Tubonium”, visit Dr. Palton’s website at www.georgepalton.com. Listen to “Tubonium” on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5D-N-HDdlY.

Other upcoming Christmas concerts at Ohio University Southern include the Greater Huntington Symphonic band at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and the Ohio University Southern Community Band with the Ironton High School Varsity Singers as special guests at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16.