Totally Tins
Date:
Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 AM to 3 PM
Location:
Event Schedule
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10-10:30: Arrive and set up
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10:30-11:45: Rehearsal
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11:45-12:30: Lunch (bring your own brown-bag meal)
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12:30-1:45: Rehearsal
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1:45-2:00: Break
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2:00-3:00: Rehearsal
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3:00: Pack up and travel home safely
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 fellow ringers from throughout New England for Totally Tins: A Workshop for Emerging Handbell Musicians. This event is designed to help even the most beginning ringers focus on creating a broad palette of musical sounds. Clinicians Abby Schoppe and Kim Visbaras will lead participants through two pieces from the 2026 Maine Spring Ring repertoire while focusing on building expressive, healthy ringing technique. The repertoire is accessible but also provides rich opportunity for musical expression.
Participants should purchase music in advance and mark it in whatever way is most helpful for them. We do not anticipate that everyone will have rehearsed this music before attending, but we do ask that, if you know you benefit from marking your music in a certain way, you do so before the event.
All are welcome – even those who have never rung before! We will also tweak the content of this event based on what attendees are looking for help with. When you register, you will be able to list areas that you hope this event will focus on.
Clinicians
KIM VISBARAS has been ringing handbells for 30 years, currently with choirs in Auburn and Falmouth, Maine. He has both full choir and ensemble experience, including up to 14 appearances in 10 days at the Magic of Christmas with the Portland Symphony Orchestra, performing at the L. L. Bean flagship store during Christmas celebrations, a world premiere at Carnegie Hall, and many church and public concerts. He has been a frequent clinician and director at the Maine Spring Ring (MSR), is on the MSR Planning Committee, and has taught African drumming and handbells at numerous Area 1 Festivals. He’s excited to share his vast experience with all of you.
ABBY SCHOPPE recently became the Director of Handbell Ministries at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Acton, MA; previously, she directed Ringers of Faith, the handbell ensemble of Faith Lutheran Church in Andover, MA. She serves on the Area 1 board as chair for both the Greater MA/NH region and the Cape Cod region. Abby has a degree in Piano Performance from Carnegie Mellon University and nearly 30 years of experience as an organist and choral director; her piano students have won numerous competitions and have performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall. But she finds handbells particularly exciting as a tool for engaging musicians of all ages and abilities in a musical community!Ringing Repertoire
We have selected the following pieces for the event. Please purchase them in advance and mark them in whatever way is helpful for you. In accordance with the Handbell Musicians of America guidelines, all music used at the event must be original purchased copies. No photocopies will be allowed.
- Cathy Moklebust’s “Oh Happy Morning,” 2-5 octaves handbells, Level 1+, Choristers Guild CGB1310 (2-3 octaves), CGB1311 (3-5 octaves), and CGB1309 (full score with percussion parts)
- Rick Holdsworth’s “Meditation on an Irish Folk Melody,” 3-5 octaves handbells, Level 2, Ring Out Press! RO3400
Food
Coffee and light snacks will be provided; please bring your own brown-bag lunch.
Who Should Attend & What to Bring
Full choirs, partial choirs, and individuals are all welcome at this event. Each ringer should bring gloves and comfortable shoes. Each choir (partial or whole) should bring bells, foam, table covers, music, and music stands. Individual ringers are also encouraged to bring their own equipment, so that they can ring in their preferred positions. If you are an individual ringer who is unable to bring equipment to this event, we will do our best to match you with an opening in another choir, but we cannot guarantee which position you will be placed in.
Registration Information
Registration available through October 11, 2025.
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 Group Registrar should note if your group is able to host any independent ringers.
| 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 [email protected]. Refunds will be issued for cancellations submitted before October 14, 2025 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.