A tuba player is seen through another tuba while he rehearses with hundreds of other tubists at the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012 for Tuba Christmas, an annual concert of tuba players. This is the 39th year for the concert, which started in Rockefeller Center in 1974. It is now held worldwide. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)
Tubists rehearse on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012 for Tuba Christmas, a concert that originated in 1974 as a tribute to the late artist/teacher William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day in 1902. More than 200 tubists participated in this year's event. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)
A Santa Claus hat rests on "Estelle" the tuba, which belongs to Larry Wile of Silver, Spring, Md. He was one of hundreds of tuba players who came to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012 to participate in Tuba Christmas, a concert that originated in 1974 as a tribute to the late artist/teacher William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day in 1902. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)
Gunnar Tokar, left, 15, of Damascus, Md. polishes his tuba while Anthony Makusky, 17, of Frederick, Md. makes his way onto the stage before the start of the rehearsal for Tuba Christmas 2012 at the Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. He was one of hundreds of tuba players who came to the Kennedy Center to play in the concert, which originated in 1974 as a tribute to the late artist/teacher William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day in 1902. Participants were asked to wear bright colors. They rehearsed for two hours before performing on the Millennium Stage at 6 p.m. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)
** FILE ** In this Dec. 7, 2008, file photo, George Jones arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
** FILE ** In this Dec. 7, 2008, file photo, George Jones arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
**FILE** President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama attend the Let Freedom Ring Celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King at the Kennedy Center in Washington on Jan. 16, 2012. (Associated Press)
Bernadette Peters stars in a revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Follies," which originated at the Kennedy Center in Washington and will run in New York through Jan. 22. (AP Photo/Boneau/Bryan-Brown)
FILE - This undated file photo released by The Carlyle Group shows David M. Rubenstein. Billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein is making a second $10 million gift in less than six months to the Kennedy Center in Washington to help reach younger and more economically diverse audiences. The gift announced Tuesday makes Rubenstein of Bethesda, Md., the largest single donor in the center's history with donations totaling $23 million. Rubenstein became the center's chairman last year and is co-founder of the Carlyle Group. (AP Photo/The Carlyle Group, File ) NO SALES
