For 21 years, support for TubaChristmas has come from organizations and individuals throughout the area.

Support in the form of money has been used to defray expenses so that the concert can be offered to the community without charge. Over the years, the organizations have included the Polk County Board of Commissioners, the Community Foundation-Wilhelm Fund, Rotary Club of Tryon, Stotts Ford, Main Street Insurance Group, Tryon Estates and the First Citizens Bank. There have also been individuals who supported through gifts of money and others through the gift of their time.

This year, the conductor will be Kenneth Mace, of Hendersonville. 

He received his Master of Music Degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and has retired from education, where he taught band in all grades. He is currently orchestra director at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville and is directing a music school there that is affiliated with the Salvation Army.

The soloist for “O Holy Night” is Justin Taylor, a freshman at Western Carolina University, from East Lincoln High School. He has been a member of the All-State band and recipient of the John Philip Sousa Award.

-Submitted by Betsy Zeek