Greater Boston Fall Skill-Building and Repertoire Reading
Date:
Saturday, September 28, 8 AM-3 PM.
Location:
Event Schedule
- 8:00-8:30 Check in and coffee
- 8:30-8:50 Welcome and announcements
- 9:00-10:15 Morning class
- 10:30-11:45 Morning class
- 11:45-1:00 Lunch (bring your own brown bag meal)
- 1:00-3:00 Afternoon repertoire reading
Contacts
Abigail Schoppe
Greater Boston/NH State Chair
Handbell Musicians of America, Area 1
[email protected]
617-676-8055
Susan Schultz
Event Registrar
Handbell Musicians of America, Area 1
[email protected]
978-273-2226
Event Details
Registration
Registration will be open through September 26, 2024.
Clinicians & Class Descriptions
- Ringing 101, taught by Evie Sessions (Evie is a member of the Merrimack Valley Ringers). This class is essential for new ringers but can also be an important review for ringers of all levels. We will work on developing a ringing stroke that uses your whole body both ergonomically and musically. We will also review the wide variety of techniques for which handbells can call!
- Chime In, taught by Karen Leonard (Karen is the founder and Artistic Director of the Merrimack Valley Ringers, as well as Minister of Music at West Chelmsford United Methodist Church). Spend some time having fun with chimes! Learn what techniques work on handchimes in contrast to handbells, and read through some repertoire that works well on handchimes.
- Counting beyond Four: Understanding Compound and Asymmetrical Meters, taught by Abby Schoppe (Abby is the Director of Handbell Ministries at Faith Lutheran Church in Andover, MA, and serves on the Area 1 board as chair of the Greater Boston MA/NH region). Much of our handbell repertoire is written in 4/4 or 3/4, but how comfortable are you when ringing in more complex time signatures? This class will explore the music theory behind different meters, and participants will sightread pieces written in each type of meter discussed.
- Stopped Techniques, taught by Evie Sessions (Evie is a member of the Merrimack Valley Ringers). There are so many different ways to execute a staccato sound on handbells! This class will help ringers learn to recognize the different symbols for marts, mallets, plucks, ring-touches, and more, as well as how to execute these skills effectively and musically.
- Should I Just Weave It? taught by Emlee Kohler (Emlee is a member of the Back Bay Ringers). Do you struggle when a musical passage requires you to play 3 or more bells (or chimes) in a row? Would you like to play these passages more smoothly and be able to repeat what works? Come learn about how/when to “weave!” We will also discuss where to place bells, chimes, and mallets for quick changes and how to mark the music so you can make it all happen more than once.
- Roundtable: Ringers’ Rehearsal Techniques – How to Become Your Director’s Favorite Ringer, featuring Karen Leonard, Diane Burke, Sue Lee, and Abby Schoppe. (Karen is the founder and Artistic Director of the Merrimack Valley Ringers, as well as Minister of Music at West Chelmsford United Methodist Church. Diane is a member of the Merrimack Valley Ringers and directs the Joyful Ringers at First Church Congregational in Marlboro, the Lincoln Ringers of First Parish in Lincoln, and the Sudbury Bellringers at Memorial Congregational Church in Sudbury. Susan rings with the Merrimack Valley Ringers and is the Director of Handbell Ministries at St. Matthew’s, our host venue. Abby is the Director of Handbell Ministries at Faith Lutheran Church in Andover, MA, and serves on the Area 1 board as chair of the Greater Boston MA/NH region.) Four experienced directors share ideas on how ringers can best prepare for, and be productive during, rehearsals.
Food
Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Registration Information
Ringers can attend as individuals or as part of a larger choir, and attendees do not need to bring their own equipment.
| Registration Fees | Registrant Type |
| Participant for Either Half of the Day | $15 |
| Full-Day Participant | $25 |
| 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.
What to Bring
Participants need only bring gloves and a split-back binder, if possible.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations may be made by contacting the Area 1 Registrar via email at [email protected]. Refunds will be issued for cancellations submitted before September 27, 2024 in the amount charged less a $2 processing fee. No refunds can be issued after that date.
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.