Massachusetts Spring Ring 2023

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 22, 2023, 10 AM to 5 PM

Location:

Tewksbury Memorial High School
320 Pleasant Street
Tewksbury, MA

Event Schedule

  • 10-11 AM: Arrive, set up, and solo choir rehearsals as scheduled
  • 11 AM-Noon: Massed rehearsal
  • Noon-12:30 PM: Rehearse Coppers repertoire; lunch for Tins choir
  • 12:30-1 PM: Lunch for all divisions, plus solo choir rehearsals as scheduled
  • 1-2:30 PM: Rehearse massed repertoire (1-1:30 will be a rehearsal on “Amen, Siakudumisa,” which is optional for Coppers)
  • 2:30-3 PM: Free time (change clothes, fill out evaluation forms, etc.)
  • 3-4:30 PM: Public concert in the gym
  • 4:30 PM-?: Reception in lobby; tear down equipment

 

Contacts

Abigail Schoppe
MA State Chair
Handbell Musicians of America, Area 1
ma.area1@handbellmusicians.org
617-676-8055

Susan Schultz
Event Registrar
Handbell Musicians of America, Area 1
registrar.area1@handbellmusicians.org
978-273-2226

Event Details

Join choirs from Massachusetts and surrounding states as they come together to ring and build skills at this, our 35th Massachusetts Spring Ring! This year we are very excited to welcome Karen Leonard and Ed Henderson as our clinicians, who will guide ringers through rehearsal of the repertoire listed below. Participating groups may register as either Tins or Copper choirs. Each group will be free to decide which pieces they would like to ring.

The program for the day will begin with set-up and registration at 10:00 AM. We will conclude at 3:00 PM with a concert, open to the public, where we will present the prepared massed pieces along with solo presentations from willing participants. Please see the detailed schedule to the left.

Register Now!

Clinicians

KAREN E. LEONARD is a graduate of Boston University and UMass Lowell with degrees in church music, organ performance and conducting. She is now in her 54th year as Minister of Music at West Chelmsford United Methodist Church in North Chelmsford, MA where she directs a graded choral and handbell program and also serves as organist. In addition, she is the founding and artistic director of Merrimack Valley Ringers, a community handbell ensemble well-known in Area 1. Karen served the Handbell Musicians of America , formerly the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) as Chair of Area I and National President. In 2008, she was awarded Honorary Life Membership in AGEHR, the highest award given for extraordinary service to the organization. She continues to serve as Coordinator of the National Master Classes in Conducting.  Karen and her husband Mark have two wonderful sons, two lovely daughters-in-law and two awesome grandchildren.
Edward G. Henderson, Jr. of Tewksbury, MA, started ringing handbells in 1962 and has been directing youth and adult handbell choirs for the last thirty plus years. He was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Handbell Musicians of America, Area 1 and served many positions including Member at Large, Area Chair, and Area Representative to the National Board of Directors. He has served Area and National handbell events as an organizer, a clinician and as massed and division conductor. For thirty plus years he has directed the youth and adult handbell programs at the Tewksbury Congregational Church, Tewksbury, MA. He was the founding director of the New England Ringers, a bronze level community handbell choir which he directed for thirteen years. Ed is a retired electrical engineer who spent his entire career managing customer support operations for various companies supporting the high tech electronic industries. He is an avid NASCAR fan, enjoys restoring and driving antique and classic cars, skiing, snowmobiling and spending time with his wife Sue, family and friends at their lake home in NH.

Massed 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: “Song of Assurance” by Arnold Sherman (2-5 oct). (2-3 octave version for Tins, and 3-5 octave version for Coppers.) 
    Choristers Guild MCGB603 (full score), MCGB604 (2-3 octave version), and MCGB605 (3-5 octave version)
    This piece is for double choir; please choose the part that best fits your choir’s needs!
  • Massed (optional for Coppers): “Amen Siakudumisa” by Cathy Moklebust (2-6 oct bells + optional chimes, L2, with optional auxiliary percussion). Choristers Guild CGB1036 (for 2-3 oct) or Choristers Guild CGB1037 (for 3-6 oct).
  • Massed (optional for Tins): “Divenire” by Matthew Compton (3-6 oct bells + optional chimes, L2+). AGEHR Publishing, AG36057
  • Coppers: “Ride On” by Brenda Austin (3-6 oct, L3). Lorenz LC202102L

Solo Choir or Ensemble Performances

We invite your choir/ensemble to share a “solo” selection during the final concert. Please fill out the appropriate information on the registration form if you wish to perform a solo piece. Solo performances will be limited to five minutes. You will be assigned a short time during the event to run through your piece once in the performance area. Please be prompt and courteous to other groups.

Food

No meals are provided, but bottled water will be available. Please bring your own bag lunch or snacks. No food or drinks will be permitted on the ringing floor.

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.

What to Bring

Each ringer should bring gloves and comfortable shoes. Each choir (partial or whole) should bring bells, chimes, mallets, foam, table covers, music, music stands, and tables.  If your choir has a uniform or concert dress, you are encouraged to wear it for the performance.

We would also like each group to please bring a dessert to share at the closing reception. It will be a nice time to unwind after a busy day and to socialize with your fellow ringers from other ensembles.

Registration Information

Registration available through April 2

Each ensemble should designate one person, the Group Registrar, to register the group and themselves as well, if they will be attending. Participating ringers may register individually or may register more than one ringer if they choose. (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 $15  
Non-Ringing Chaperone $0

Youth ringers are welcome! Please register at least one Adult as a chaperone for every ten registered ringers under the age of 18.

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 April 15, 2023 in the amount charged less a $2 processing fee. No refunds can be issued after April 15.

 

Scholarships Available

Scholarships are available on a variety of levels for members of the Handbell Musicians of America and the ensembles they direct. If you are in need of financial assistance in order to attend this event, please review the scholarship information and application directions on the scholarships page of the Area 1 website.

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.