A Christmas Concert for Flutes and Piccolos

Move over TubaChristmas. It’s time for the Akron Piccolo Christmas, and there’s only three hours of rehearsal time and a lunch break before the 3 p.m. one-hour concert that features 100 or so musicians of varying ages and playing abilities. What could go wrong?

Organizer and conductor Lee B. Gibson isn’t concerned, though, because he knows the concert will be a success. Gibson, the Assistant Director of Bands at Barberton City Schools in Ohio and a tubist who has played in Akron’s TubaChristmas, knows a thing or two about crowd control on and off the stage. “The flute player stereotype is someone who’s studious and a rule follower. And, for the most part, it’s true! And in the band community, we’re used to ‘hurry up and wait,’” Gibson explains. “There’s never been a disaster. We’re super prepped. All i’s are dotted, and t’s are crossed.”

The Behind-the-Scenes Work

Gibson, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator, is the face of the concert. He also conducts the choir and takes care of all other logistics, such as building and maintaining the website and communicating with performers, volunteers, the media and everyone else. He’s grateful for the all the help he receives from friends, students, former students, professionals and colleagues.

The 11-month process (Gibson takes January off) to put on a one-hour concert without pay is in addition to being married and parenting two children, being a full-time band director, running his TheBandRoom YouTube channel, and dealing with the everyday chores of life like getting meals on the table, paying bills and getting the car’s oil changed.

Why does he do this? The obvious answer is because he enjoys it. More importantly, what drives him is the opportunity for his Barberton students to play with people they wouldn’t typically get to play with, like professional musicians.

Outside of the Akron Piccolo Christmas or TubaChristmases around the world, music performances are usually stratified with high schoolers playing with other high schoolers or professionals with other professionals. Piccolo Christmas is designed for “anyone who can play,” allowing all to connect. Students learn firsthand that professionals are very nice and provide great advice.

How It All Comes Together

Unlike TubaChristmas, the Akron Piccolo Christmas is free for performers and the public. Aside from a few out-of-pocket expenses for incidentals like flyers, which Gibson happily pays for, there are no expenses. There is no charge for the Google website. The concert is held at Firestone Theater at Firestone Community Learning Center in Akron at no charge. Gibson describes the venue as “a beautiful three-level theater with a mezzanine, balcony and a beautiful stage.” It’s important to hold the concert in Akron proper because it’s the Akron Piccolo Concert, not the [insert name of neighboring city or town] Piccolo Concert, Gibson explains with a smile.

Gibson’s organizational methodology is meticulous. “I love a spreadsheet. Google forms and Sheets are my best friends,” Gibson says.

When signing up, musicians fill out a questionnaire — grade level, amateur or professional? Players also can request a part, and he has found that most professionals respond, “Put me where you need me.”

As the spreadsheet populates, Gibson can see where balance is needed among piccolo, flute and contrabass, and assigns the parts accordingly. Also, it’s important to rotate the 25-pound bass flute parts as the instrument is too heavy to play for the entire one-hour concert. Performers receive a link to the concert’s music and bring their own stands to the concert.

With input from peer teachers, Gibson chooses the music. The line-up includes two or three challenging pieces, something “pop-ish,” a custom arrangement and a sing-along. There’s also an arrangement of “Jingle Bells” with piccolos only, about 70, that has a chorusing effect and sounds a bit like a calliope. “This year will be more inclusive with Hannukah and Kwanza,” he adds.

Piccolo Christmas Inspirations

Gibson and his wife, who plays the flute, both were taught by high school teacher Lynn Stukart Ogden. She is the mastermind behind Piccolo Christmas. Taking a cue from TubaChristmas, Ogden chose the piccolo because it’s the highest instrument of the family, while tuba is the lowest.

When their former teacher moved to Iowa, the Gibsons kept in touch via Facebook. When they heard of her producing the Piccolo Christmas in Davenport, Iowa, they wanted to part of it. So, Gibson and his wife drove there.

“It was a cool experience. We played with world class musicians. Composer and conductor Eric Whitacre was there … so was Courtney Morton of ‘The President’s Own,’ aka The United States Marine Band, who is the top piccolo player in the country,” shares Gibson. After a few years of participation in the Iowa concert, he decided to start a Piccolo Christmas in Akron. He asked a professional flute player friend with a lot of flute connections to be his partner, and there’s been no looking back.

The first Akron Piccolo Christmas concert was pre-COVID with 35 performers followed by a break during stay-at-home orders. The 2024 concert had 115 performers with an audience of 200 to 300.

The enjoyment doesn’t stop with the music. Performers and audience members are encouraged to get in the holiday spirit by donning their most fun and favorite holiday attire and decorating their instrument and stand, and there is an award for the best dressed instrument.

The concert’s simple format — Gibson conducts musicians and the audience listens — is key to its success. Unfortunately, Davenport’s original Piccolo Christmas didn’t survive the coronavirus.

Piccolo Christmas FAQs

Do I have to play Piccolo? No! Although it is called Piccolo Christmas that is only because it sounds better than Mass Flute Choir Christmas. There will be one song on the program where everyone who has a piccolo can play it together for a mass piccolo ensemble. The rest of the pieces will have the full spectrum of the flute family.

Is this only open to certain ages? Everyone is invited to perform regardless of age! Children who may need a little extra TLC should be accompanied by a parent or teacher.

Do I have to stay on the same part the entire time? You do not need to play the same part the entire time. Folders will be made by part. So, if you would like more than one part let the registration table know, and please put all of the parts back in the correct folder. Or you could get the music situated beforehand on your own with the digital versions of the music.

Do I have to play the flute at a certain level to perform with the group? Performers of all levels are encouraged to participate. Whether you can only play a few notes or you are a professional, play what you can and leave out what you can’t. Most importantly, HAVE FUN and SPREAD JOY!

Can I play non-standard or world flutes? All flutes are welcome. Music will only be provided for traditional flute choir instruments (i.e., piccolo, concert flute, bass/contrabass flute in C and alto flutes in G). If you need to transpose/edit your part to make it work with the mass choir arrangement, feel free to do so on your own.

Gibson would love to see other communities have their own Piccolo Christmas. He advises, “Just do it. Don’t be afraid. The worst thing that can happen is people will get together to play music. How bad is that?”