Festival/Conference 2023 Pages

Bronze Ensemble Information

If your ensemble would like to ring as part of the Bronze Division at the 2023 Area 1 Festival Conference (FC23), this information is for you!!! The Bronze division is composed of advanced ringers and is typically the smallest ringing division. Matthew Compton will be directing this division which is represented by ringers with many years of experience, extended sets of bells and chimes, and a desire to ring bronze-level music, which is rated by Handbell Musicians of America as levels 4-6.

The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure a positive experience for all choirs in the Bronze division at FC23 by confirming that all Bronze choirs and individuals share the same desire and ability to achieve the level of musicianship required by the repertoire and the director. The process for FC23 follows the same process we adopted in 2019. Please send any questions to Lisa Arnold.

We recognize that ensembles work very hard to maintain their level of musicianship over the course of their existence, and we believe that if you were good enough in 2022, we trust that you will maintain the same level of preparedness as before.

All ensembles wishing to be a part of the FC23 Bronze Division must fill out the Group Registration form any time before midnight, January 15, 2023. The director and at least half of the ensemble members should also submit their $125 pre-registration deposit prior to the pre-registration deadline (January 31, 2023).

NOTE: In the event of extenuating circumstances, Bronze Ensembles may request Orphan ringers to fill in any gaps.  Please contact the Bronze Coordinator (Susie Amos) for assistance.

Choirs that attended Festival/Conference 2022 in the Bronze Division will NOT need to re-audition, UNLESS:

  • Your ensemble has a new director since Festival/Conference 2022 OR
  • 50% or more of your ensemble has turned over OR
  • The Festival/Conference 2022 Clinician recommended that you re-audition

The Bronze repertoire selections for FC23 are:

  • Outburst, Karen Lakey Buckwalter, Beckenhorst HB715
  • Spiritus Sanctus, Matthew Compton, Choristers CGB1227
  • My Strength is From Heaven, Christian Humcke, Choristers CGB1227
  • The Winner Takes it All, arr. Greg Urban, Sheet Music Plus – Digital only. Site License – Individual License

Submit Your Audition Videos!

Please find below the instructions for submitting your video audition for acceptance as a Bronze Division choir at the upcoming Area 1 Festival Conference. Videos can be submitted anytime between January 1, 2023 and February 15, 2023. Please note that your members will not be able to take advantage of Early Bird Registration until after the ensemble receives the feedback, so it is in your best interest to submit your videos early!

All submitting directors will receive emailed feedback from the committee chair as soon as possible after submission. Content will include an overall performance evaluation along with the score breakdown of each rubric category. An explanation of the audition rubric may be found below. Choirs are solely measured against the rubric and not each other. Should the reviewing committee deem that the submitting choir is not prepared to participate in the Bronze division, the choir may choose to ring in the Coppers division, or may be asked to work on specific issues with an Area 1 mentor, and then submit a new video within four weeks of notification.

In order to continue the high level of musicianship while fostering the learning environment that Area 1 is known for, ensembles that are new to the Bronze Division in 2023 or do not meet the above criteria, the following criteria will be applied:

  1. Each Bronze Ensemble needing to audition must submit a YouTube video of two songs
    –It is preferable to submit at least one piece from the FC23 Bronze repertoire, although not required.
    —    Audition pieces that are not FC23 repertoire must be Level 4+ or higher.
  2. The recording can be either a rehearsal or a performance, but should be of the highest available audio and video quality.
    –The recording shall contain both sound and images in which the choir and director are clearly visible. If multiple cameras are not available, the videographer should position the camera to capture both the choir and director at the same time. Different camera angles for each piece are recommended.
  3. Submitted video will be reviewed by an impartial anonymous committee that will evaluate the performance based on the rubric (see below). You may wish to review and discuss this rubric with your choir before recording and submitting your audition video.
  4. The ringers on the video SHOULD include all of the ringers who will be registered for FC23, and MAY include up to 3 substitute ringers. When you submit your video, please indicate any known substitute ringers featured in the video who will NOT be attending FC23.
  5. Orphan ringers ARE permitted in this application process and at the Festival. Any ringer not in the video who is planning to attend FC23 should submit an application to be a Bronze Orphan. They can request to be assigned to your ensemble.
    –Due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID restrictions this year, if, after being accepted to the Bronze Division, a choir may need more than 3 substitutes, they will need to contact the Bronze Division coordinator to request an exemption.
  6. Audition videos must be uploaded to YouTube (See instructions below). Videos should be uploaded as soon as they are prepared, but no later than February 15th, 2023.
  7. All choirs and directors will receive emailed feedback from the committee chair as soon after your submission as is possible, in order for you to take advantage of the Early Bird Registration. Content will include an overall performance evaluation along with the score breakdown of each rubric category.
  8. The lowest score is 4; the highest is 16. A choir must score a minimum of 12 to be recommended for the Bronze division.
  9. Should the reviewing committee deem that the submitting choir is not prepared to participate in the Bronze division, the choir may:
    –Choose to ring in the Coppers division.
    –Be asked to work on specific issues with an Area 1 mentor, and then submit a new video within 4 weeks of notification.

 

Bronze Division Audition Rubric

Points Musicianship Tempo Contact Assignments
4 Pitch, rhythm, dynamics and
expression are all
correct throughout both
pieces.		 The repertoire is
performed at the tempo
marking indicated by the
composer		 The choir and the conductor
have a high degree of
contact. The choir is
responsive to the
conductor’s gestures with
the intended musical results.		 All ringers are playing
bell assignments that
enable musical success.
3 Some errors are present in
pitch, rhythm, dynamics and
expression. Only a few
ringers make errors.		 The repertoire is
performed at a slightly
different tempo marking
than indicated by the
composer.		 The choir & conductor have
a moderate amount of
contact. The choir is
somewhat responsive to the
conductor’s gestures.		 Most ringers are playing
bell assignments that
enable musical success.
2 Many errors are present in
pitch, rhythm, dynamics and
expression. Several ringers
make errors.		 The repertoire is
performed at a
substantially different
tempo marking than
indicated by the
composer.		 The choir seldom responds
to the conductor’s gestures.		 Several ringers are
playing inappropriate
bell assignments and
appear unable to resolve
some passages.
1 Errors in pitch, rhythm,
dynamics and expression are
pervasive in the presentation.		 The repertoire is
performed with no
regard to the tempo
markings indicated by
the composer.		 The choir never responds to
the conductor’s gestures.		 The assignment of bells
impedes a successful and
musical performance

 

Instructions for Posting Bronze Audition Videos

Videos must be uploaded to YouTube. They can be set to “Unlisted” if you do not want them to be public. Links to the two videos should be emailed to Susie Amos at [email protected]

Steps for submitting videos:

  1. ·       Log in to your Google account.
  2. ·       Visit www.youtube.com
  3. ·       Click on the icon in the upper right corner.
  4. ·       Select “Upload Video”
  5. ·       Choose either “Public” or “Unlisted” from the privacy drop-down box.
  6. ·       Select the movie file to upload.
  7. ·       Email the links to the videos to Susie Amos at [email protected]

DO NOT remove the video until you hear back from the review committee! If removed prematurely, reviewers will not be able to view your video.  If you have any questions regarding the audition process, please contact Susie Amos at [email protected]