New Hampshire Spring Ring 2020
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, and complete choirs are all welcome.
Date:
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Location:
Abbott Downing School
152 South Street
Concord, NH 03301
Event Schedule
| 8:15 AM | Registration & Set up |
| 9:00 AM | Introductions, Housekeeping & Opening Bell |
| 9:10 AM | Massed Rehearsal #1 |
| 10:15 AM | Morning Workshops #1 |
| 11:15 AM | Break |
| 11:30 PM | Massed Rehearsal #2 |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch Break |
| 1:15 PM | Afternoon Workshops #2 |
| 2:20 PM | Massed Rehearsal #3 |
| 3:30 PM | Break |
| 4:00 PM | CONCERT – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Invite your friends and family! |
| 5:00 PM | Closing bell, break down and depart |
Contacts
Heidi Prior and Hilary Justice, NH State Co-Chairs
[email protected]
(508) 243-8886
Susan Schultz
Event Registrar
Handbell Musicians of America, Area 1
[email protected]
978-273-2226
Event Details
We are proud to announce the 2020 New Hampshire Spring Ring, to be held at the Abbot Downing School in Concord, NH on April 4, 2020. The day will include participation in workshops, as well as instructional rehearsals of three massed-rung pieces with Area 1 clinician Daniel K. Moore. We will conclude with a concert presentation of the massed-rung pieces, along with solo performances by those individual ensembles who choose to share their talents!
Meet Our Clinician
Daniel K. Moore of Rumford, RI retired from teaching and directing the Concert Handbell Ringers of the Wheeler School in Providence, RI after 37 years. His auditioned ensembles appeared frequently on television, performed with the Rhode Island Philharmonic, and in opening concerts at national and regional handbell festivals. Recordings include Joy To the World (Empire Brass), Inside Fessiwigs (Ed Sweeney), and several solo CD’s. Dan was a charter member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringer’s committee to promote handbells in education, and subsequently served regional and national AGEHR boards in many capacities, most recently as Chair of AGEHR’s second Certification Program. Dan is the director of the Jubilate Ringers of East Greenwich, RI; he continues to be a frequent clinician, organizer and conductor at handbell ringing events. His comprehensive handbell textbook, “Ringing RIGHT! From the Beginning“, a valuable resource for ringers and directors alike, was published by HMA/AGEHR. Dan is also a New England regional representative for Malmark Bellcraftsmen.
Massed Ringing Repertoire
- Fiesta Con Campanillas, Carol Lynn Mizell, Level 3, HMA/AGEHR Publishing, MAG35279
- Carillon of Praise, Cathy Moklebust, Level 3-, Choristers Guild, MCGB1089
- Contemplation, Jason Krug, Level 2+, Lorenz Corp, MLC202062L (3-5 octaves Handbells w/ 3-5 octaves Handchimes)
Director Notes may be downloaded here.
All music must be original purchased copies.
Morning and Afternoon Workshops
Two workshop sessions will be run, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. You will have your choice of two different workshop tracks to participate in, covering both sessions.
Skill-building Track
Participants in the Skill Building Track have their choice of three workshops in each of the two workshop sessions.
Morning Workshops 10:15-11:15 AM
- (ALL) Weaving 101- Carlene Ruesenberg – Here’s your chance to dance around those chromatics! We’ll cover the basics of weaving 3 and 4 (or more) bells. Bring Gloves to this class. Limit 10 participants.
- (ALL) Techniques for Fun and Skill – Sue Chamberlin Learn and refresh your handbell skills
- (ALL) How to Mallet those Bells like a Pro – Krishna Ersson Would you like to be more comfortable malleting? How to change from ringing to malleting? Bring 2 bells and the mallets for those bells to this workshop
Afternoon Workshops 1:15-2:15 PM
- (ALL) Weaving 101- Carlene Ruesenberg – Here’s your chance to dance around those chromatics! We’ll cover the basics of weaving 3 and 4 (or more) bells. Bring Gloves to this class. Limit 10 participants.
- (ALL) Techniques for Fun and Skill-Sue Chamberlin Learn and refresh your handbell skills
- (ALL) Drumming and Rhythm-Krishna Ersson Using percussion to improve your rhythm skills, and adding color to your handbell performances. If you have hand drums or other percussion instrument bring them with you to this class.
Coppers Plus Sight-reading Track
Improve your sight-reading skills with clinician Dan Moore! Dan will use both Workshop sessions to instruct participants on how to approach a new piece of music and make it your own. If you choose this option, you will receive a piece of music when you arrive and work with Dan as you read through it and work on making music from the start. Please note, this is a two-session track.
My handbells are all bronze, what's this about tins and coppers?
Handbells are made of bronze, which is an alloy about 20% tin and 80% copper. Handbell Musicians of America uses 'tins', 'coppers', and 'bronze' to group ensembles or ringers into approximate ringing proficiency levels. The group difficulty is generally self-selected by the group as opposed to assigned from the outside. Tins are typically beginning ringers and groups, just getting started on their handbell journey. They may feel most comfortable playing music at a difficulty of level 1 or 2. A group progressing in skill will begin using the term coppers to indicate that they are an intermediate level group. They may feel most comfortable playing level 2-4 music. Bronze level is the term used when referring to groups performing music at a higher difficulty level with strong musicality. Bronze group most often perform music at difficulty levels 3-6 and beyond.
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 the first five requests. You will be assigned a short time during lunch to run through your piece once in the performance area. Please be prompt and courteous to other groups.
Lunch
In order to save on registration costs, and with the many dietary concerns, Lunch will be Bring Your Own. That way you can bring exactly what you want or need. Coffee and water will be provide. Closed water bottles only will be allowed on the ringing floor.
Partial Choirs and “Orphan Ringers”
If you are planning to ring just the massed selections, you are encouraged to attend with a partial choir of any size.
Orphan Ringers are welcome! We will match you up as best we can.
What to Bring
Each Ringer should bring gloves and comfortable shoes. Each choir (partial or whole) should bring bells, 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 day or the performance.
Registration Information
| Registration Fees | Early Bird Rates | After March 1 |
| Ringing Participant | $25 | $30 |
| Non-ringing Chaperone | $0 |
$0 |
Youth ringers welcome! Please register at least one Adult as a chaperone for every ten registered ringers under the age of 18.
Early-bird Registration until March 1
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.