Volunteers from around the city will soon be bringing in the brass to get the holiday season started.

The annual Tuba Christmas free concert will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the center court in Oak Park Mall. Tuba, sousaphone, baritone and euphonium players of any age are welcome.

“It’s a really good time to come out and kick off the season with Christmas music,” said Cheryl Corey, executive director of the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Organizers won’t know how many performers will show up until registration earlier that day. At Tuba Christmas’ first Austin performance in 2010, 17 players showed up. That number more than doubled to 37 in 2011. This year, Corey hopes for 50 or more.

“Last year, we had players that ranged in age from 9 up until a gentleman in his 70s,” Corey said. “By the time the concert comes around, they just sound wonderful.”

Registration begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by a rehearsal at 11 a.m. To check out the music early on and get a head start in preparing, call Valerie Pitzen at 507-433-1881. Players are asked to bring a music stand and their instrument, and to wear bright holiday colors. The cost to participate is $5, and includes a commemorative pin and entry into a drawing for prizes.

This year will mark the 39th anniversary of Tuba Christmas, which began in 1974 with a performance in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza.

Watching the performance is free. For more information, call the CVB at 507-437-4563.