The tuba is known as the foundation of bands and orchestras, and for over a decade, Purdue has held an annual concert dedicated to the jumbo musical instrument. An international tradition envisioned by musician and tuba enthusiast Harvey Phillips, known to many as Mr. Tuba, TubaChristmas began in New York City in 1974. Phillips wanted to celebrate the tuba as a solo instrument and also memorialize his instructor and friend William Bell, who was born on Christmas Day. He assembled a host of fellow tuba players at the Rockefeller Center ice rink, where they oompahed their way through a medley of Christmas carols. The performance proved to be so popular that volunteers began organizing concerts in hundreds of cities across the world each December.

Lafayette was home to its own TubaChristmas spectacular for many years, but the tradition nearly ended in 2003 due to the loss of a sponsor. Mr. Tuba himself made a call to former pupil Jay Gephart, Al G. Wright Chair for Purdue Bands & Orchestras, imploring him to save the event. Gephart agreed, and the low brass festivity has become a highly anticipated yuletide custom. The show features an ensemble of tubas, euphoniums, and sousaphones played by students and community members.