Robert “Bob” Pinkerton, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, January 2, ... Bob brought his tuba with him. He was a member of the Peoria Senior Band and played with Al’s Pals.

DERRY — The toughest part of football practice for Pinkerton Academy juniors Kenny and Kevin Preval? Often, it's the quarter-mile sprint up Main Street from the practice field to the band room ...

TubaChristmas offers even obscure tuba family members to enjoy the spotlight for a change. "This year, we had a helicon, which is like a Civil War version of a tuba," Golemo says.

It was the tuba. This year marked the 50th anniversary of TubaChristmas, a yearly gathering of enthusiasts who play the season's favorite songs exclusively on this booming brass instrument.