Maine Spring Ring 2024
Spring Ring provides an opportunity for ringers to meet, share experiences, have fun, and develop musicianship and ringing skills. This event is sponsored by the Handbell Musicians of America for the benefit of its members. Registration is available only for current members of the Handbell Musicians of America, or members of any ensemble they represent. Individuals, small groups, partial choirs, and complete choirs are all welcome.
Date:
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Location:
Auburn Middle School
Auburn, ME
Event Schedule
Exact Schedule TBD
Check-in and set-up will begin at 8:00 am, welcome and opening bell at 8:45, and the ringing will begin at 9:00. We’ll have two rehearsals each for Massed, Tins and Coppers, all ending at 3:35 in preparation for a public concert at 4:00. We will also be offering workshops again this year.
Contacts
Dana Humphreys
ME State Chair
Handbell Musicians of America, Area 1
me.area1@handbellmusicians.org
Susan Schultz
Event Registrar
Handbell Musicians of America, Area 1
registrar.area1@handbellmusicians.org
978-273-2226
Event Details
It’s time to start planning for the Maine Spring Ring! Yes, we still have the fall and winter seasons ahead of us, but what better time than now to start purchasing and rehearsing the music.
Maine Spring Ring will be on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Auburn Middle School in Auburn, Maine. Our Coppers Director is Mike Joy, a nationally known handbell director, composer and arranger. Tins Director is Joy Toll-Chandler, a long-time ringer, director and composer who currently directs the handbell choir at Cumberland (Maine) Congregational Church. Mike and Joy will share direction of the Massed pieces.
Check-in and set-up will begin at 8:00 am, welcome and opening bell at 8:45, and the ringing will begin at 9:00. We’ll have two rehearsals each for Massed, Tins and Coppers, all ending at 3:35 in preparation for a public concert at 4:00. We will also be offering workshops again this year.
Many more details to come on registration, fees, food, lodging, etc. And we’ll make sure you all get those details through emails, Fundamental Tone, and the HMA Area 1 website. But most importantly, here are the music selections for the day.
Clinicians
Michael Joy is a nationally known and award-winning handbell composer and arranger, and has been directing handbell choirs for over 40 years. He has taught at Area II and III festivals, PMEA district and state conferences, Handbell Exploration and the AGEHR National Seminar. He was named Composer of the Year for 2004 by Jeffers Publishing Company for his composition Dorian Dance. Michael studied handbells with Donald Allured and handbell composition with Arnold Sherman. Michael is currently the middle school music teacher at The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA where he conducts 15 different handbell groups. Michael served two terms as the Secretary for AGEHR Area II. He is also a
ringer and Composer-In-Residence for the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble. Michael is very excited about directing at our Maine Spring
Ring – he says Maine is his “happy place!
Joy Toll-Chandler has been playing and directing handbells since 2000. She has a Bachelor of Music degree from the Crane School of Music and a Masters in Church Music (handbell emphasis) from Concordia University. She has two pieces published by AGEHR. She is also accredited as a faculty instructor for Level 1 Handbell Certification Theory and Conducting.
Joy is currently the director of the handbell choir of the Congregational Church in Cumberland (Maine) and is excited to conduct for the first time at a Maine Spring Ring!
Ringing Repertoire
We have selected the following pieces for the event. Please purchase and begin rehearsing the music before the Spring Ring. In accordance with the Handbell Musicians of America guidelines, all music used must be original purchased copies. No photocopies will be allowed.
MASSED
Bells of Freedom, Chris Peck (3-6 oct, L3), From the Top Publishing, 20409
Amen Siakudumisa, Cathy Moklebust (3-6 oct, L2), Choristers Guild, CGB1037
Clarion Call, Michael Joy (3-5 oct, L2+), Jeffers Publishing, MCGB864
TINS
Prayer for the Innocents, Michael Helman (3-6 oct, L2+), Lorenz, 20/1964L
And Can it Be, Bill Ingram (3-5 oct, L2), Hope Publishing, 2663
COPPERS
Change Ring Prelude on Divinum Mysterium, Fred Gramann (3-6 oct, L3+), Jeffers Publishing, MLC201239L
Festivity on Cwm Rhondda, Michael Joy (3-6 oct, Level 3+), Jeffers Publishing, MCGB1247
Solo Choir or Ensemble Performances
We will include up to four choirs to perform solo selections during the concert. If your choir is interested in playing a solo piece, contact Dana Humphreys, Maine State Chair, at me.area1@handbellmusicians.org.
Partial Choirs and “Orphan Ringers”
All ringers are encouraged to attend, either as individual “orphan” ringers or with a partial choir of any size. All are welcome! We will match you up with a host ensemble as best we can.
Food
Provided: Breakfast Burritos, Fresh Fruit, Pastries, Coffee/Tea/Water
The Church Ladies Cookies
Please bring your own bag lunch and additional snacks if you wish.
What to Bring
Each choir and/or ringer should bring the following:
- Bells, mallets, chimes
- Tables, foam pads, table covers, music and music stands
- Gloves and comfortable shoes
- Dress is casual!
Registration Information
Registration is open January 8 – March 15
Each ensemble should designate one person, the Group Registrar, to register the entire group. The Handbell Musicians of America membership name and number for the group will be required and should be used by all members of the ensemble. The Group Registrar should note if your group is able to host any orphan ringers. Individuals who are attending without their group (“orphans”), please let us know whether you would like to be hosted by another group, and what your preferred bell positions are.
| Registrant Type | Registration Fees | |
| Ringing Participant | $30 | |
| Non-Ringing Chaperone | $0 |
|
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations may be made by contacting the Area 1 Registrar via email at registrar.area1@handbellmusicians.org. Refunds will be issued for cancellations submitted before March XX (TBD) in the amount charged less a $2 processing fee. No refunds will be issued after that date.
Scholarship Information
Scholarships are available on a variety of levels. If you are in need of financial assistance in order to attend this event, please review the scholarship information and application directions on our scholarships page.
HMA AREA 1 COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY
(Updated 1/26/2023)
PARTICIPANTS & AUDIENCE
Area 1 no longer requires masking for our events for participants or audience members.
All participants and audience members at Area 1 events are strongly encouraged to wear a mask in indoor venues, regardless of their vaccination status. The Area 1 board will revisit this policy and amend it as circumstances change and as required by venue.
DISCLAIMER
By attending/participating, you acknowledge and fully understand the nature and extent of the risk related to the COVID-19 virus and other contagious diseases and agree to attend this event at your own risk. You expressly acknowledge that COVID-19 is highly contagious, and infection can result in death, the risk of infection and transmission are higher in indoor facilities, there are no safety precautions that totally eliminate the risk of contracting COVID-19, and individuals with various underlying medical conditions may experience worse outcomes.
NOTE: Where state, local and/or venue policies vary from the Area 1 policy, the more strict policy will be in effect.