Matt Brown won't admit it, but he's got a pretty challenging job.

The 36-year-old Millersville University music instructor is only the third conductor of the annual Tuba Christmas in Penn Square, which has been a staple of the holiday season here for 30 years.

What's so difficult about his gig?

Well, consider that anyone with a tuba — talented or, well, otherwise — is welcome to just show up and play.

Which means that anyone with a tuba — talented or, well, otherwise — often shows up and plays.

"We get people from all walks of life: young kids just starting out, retired people. Everyone decorates their instruments," Brown said. "It's just a lot of fun."

And that's a good thing, sure.

But can you imagine?

Dozens of folks carrying heavy brass instruments just showing up to play holiday music?

You'd think the potential for, say, tempo or tuning issues would be great.

And yet they sound so good. Always.

How?

Credit the conductor.

Brown, in his second year at the helm of Tuba Christmas, spends about an hour before the performance working with — corralling — the musicians.

"We'll probably lead through each song once," he said. "I'll make some suggestions, some comments, then we'll go through it one more time."

Brown downplays his role.

"One of the things that helps out is there are a number of die-hard Tuba Christmas enthusiasts who have been coming out for years now," he said. "They've been looking forward to this. They've done it before. It's not as though I have 60 or 70 people who have no idea what they're doing.

"Everybody knows how 'Joy to the World' works," he laughs. "And it's not like we're preparing to record for Deutsche Grammophon. We're preparing to play for the people's enjoyment."

So how did Brown land this job? He inherited it.

The university's instructor of low brass holds the conductor position for Tuba Christmas. The first to do so was Sy Brandon, who is now retired.

Brandon guest-conducted Friday night's event. Afterward, Brown played holiday music with Philadelphia Big Brass at St. James Episcopal Church on North Duke Street. The sing-along concert will be held at the church again at 2 p.m. today.

Tuba Christmas started in Lancaster three decades ago, but the first one nationally was held in 1974 in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink. The event was, and still is, a tribute to the late William J. Bell, who had been considered the nation's premier tuba player and teacher. He was born on Christmas Day 1902.

Dozens of Tuba Christmas events are held across Pennsylvania and the country and in Canada as well.

Brown, a Reading native who lives in Berks County, is trying to boost the turnout at the Lancaster event. He'd like to see at least 100 players show up next year.

"I think it's a really neat experience, a good way to meet more people in the community who have a similar interest in what I do," he said. "Everyone is very friendly. It's a positive atmosphere. Everyone's in a good mood."

E-mail: tmurse@lnpnews.com or call 481-6021