MA Spring Ring
Spring Ring provides an opportunity for ringers to meet, share experiences, have fun, and develop musicianship and ringing skills. Individuals, small groups, partial choirs, and complete choirs are all welcome. This event is sponsored by the Handbell Musicians of America
Date:
Saturday, April 5, 2025, 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 choirs
- 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 “Morning Glory,” 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
Chair, Greater Boston MA & NH Region
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
Join choirs from Massachusetts and surrounding states as they come together to ring and build skills at this, our 37th Massachusetts Spring Ring! This year we are very excited to welcome Griff Gall as our clinician, 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.
Registration coming soon!
Clinician
Marilyn Becker is the Director of Handbell Ministry at Hancock United Church of Christ in Lexington. Hancock has a long established and vital bell program that welcomes community participation.Marilyn brings her background as a choral conductor, teacher, and organist to the bell program,and will commonly sneak in some music theory lessons to bell rehearsals.
She has a degree from New England Conservatory in piano performance, and a Masters of
Sacred Music from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. She has taught private lessons
as well, and in addition to her long career as a church musician, has taught in a performing arts
high school, and worked as an accompanist for community choirs. Her daughters are both
string players, so she has been able to learn all the major repertoire for violin and cello!
Marilyn loves to work with musicians of all ages and abilities, and finds bell ringing to be a
great medium for building community through music making
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 (OPTIONAL FOR TINS): Jason Krug’s Fanfare and Intrada, 3-6 octaves handbells, Level 3, Beckenhorst Press BEHB777 (notes from the composer on how to modify the piece for 2-octave choir are also available)
- MASSED (OPTIONAL FOR TINS): Tammy Waldrop’s Oh Happy Day, 3-5 octaves handbells with optional 1 octave handchimes, Level 3, Alfred AP47794
- MASSED (OPTIONAL FOR COPPERS): Brenda Austin’s Morning Glory, 2-3 octaves handbells with optional rainstick, Level 2-, AGEHR Publishing AG23056.
- COPPERS: Arnold Sherman’s Come, Christians, Join to Sing. 3-5 octaves handbells with optional flute and percussion, Level 3+, Hope Publishing HP2863 (ringers’ score) and HP2863D (full score and instrumental parts)
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 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 March 22
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.
5ancellation Policy
Cancellations may be made by contacting the Area 1 Registrar via email at [email protected]. Refunds will be issued for cancellations submitted before March 29, 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.
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.