MARQUETTE — Marquette’s annual TubaChristmas holiday concert will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St., Marquette.

Tuba and euphonium players from around the area will perform Christmas carols in this annual tradition which is free and open to the public.

TubaChristmas got its start with a concert on the ice rink at New York’s Rockefeller Plaza in 1974. Some 300 tuba and euphonium players congregated on that day to perform Christmas carols specially arranged by noted composer Alec Wilder.

Since the inaugural concert, tuba and euphonium choirs have met annually in various locations to continue this event. This year over 300 cities across the United States and in several foreign countries will play the same arrangements as those performers 45 years ago.

Audience members who want a chair are advised to get there early because they go fast.