Ringing Skills Workshop & Rep Read with Merrimack Valley Ringers
Date:
Saturday,May 30, 2026
Time:
11:15 AM – 4:15 PM
Location:
Event Schedule
- 11:00-12:00 Registration
- 12:00-1:15 Class Session 1
- 1:30-2:45 Class Session 2
- 3:00-4:15 Class Session 3
- 4:30-5:30 Open Rehearsal
- 5:30-6:30 Dinner
- 7:00-8:30 MVR Concert
Contacts
Audrey Pierce
Western Massachusetts Chair
Handbell Musicians of America, Area 1
[email protected]
413-564-4803
Susan Schultz
Event Registrar
Handbell Musicians of America, Area 1
[email protected]
978-273-2226
Event Details
Join the Merrimack Valley Ringers on May 30th for an afternoon of workshops at Wilbraham United Church. There will be hands-on workshops taught by many of New England’s best bronze-level ringers. This event will focus on learning new techniques, how to prep for a Rep Read and simply having fun ringing with new friends. There are classes for both ringers and directors too!
After the workshop, join other participants and the Merrimack Valley Ringers for a potluck dinner from 5:00-6:30 pm organized by the Wilbraham United Church. Following the potluck, there will be a spring concert featuring the Merrimack Valley Ringers at 7 pm. You may register to attend the workshop independent of dinner and/or the concert. If attending the potluck, please indicate what you would like to contribute (main dish, side dish, dessert).
Class Descriptions
Class Session 1 (12:00-1:15) Classes
- Technique Tune-up, taught by Evie Sessions & friends. Not your average techniques class. Have you seen different ways to tower swing, mart, echo, etc? What’s the latest method? Do you have a specific question on HOW? Here’s the chance to ask and get expert advice! Have you seen finger damping? Come to this session and give it a try. This will include the most common techniques and the most common technique problems. We will also include malleting and “sticking”. We will have multiple clinicians available to help everyone!
- Fascinating Rhythms for Beginners (Part 1 of 3: Beginners Rep Reading), taught by Susan Capestro. Participants will do plenty of tapping, clapping and laughing while learning a philosophical and holistic yet practical approach to interpreting rhythm. By learning this simplified form of Konnakol, or Indian percussion language, you will be able to instantly recognize, easily decipher and interpret rhythms that might otherwise appear daunting. We will use musical examples from the “WITH Your marks.. Get Set… GO!” Reading session so you can apply this method right from the start.
- If you’re happy and you know it- ring some bells!, taught by Diane Burke & Karen Leonard. Let’s kick off the workshop by reading through pieces that will make you smile! These level 3-4 selections contain the words “joy’. “joyful”, or “happy” in their titles, and we’ll find some teachable moments along the way. No pressure- just fun, so bring your smiles and happiness to the table! 😊😊
Class Session 2 (1:30-2:45) Classes
- How Do I Ring THAT?, taught by Diane Burke and Lisa Arnold. “Livin’ the Impossible Dream (or Every Problem has a Solution, and sometimes more than one!)” Composers and arrangers usually write what they want to hear, and not what they think we can play. Come and learn some helpful tips and techniques to problem-solve your way out of what may look like an impossible situation- and feel free to bring those sticky measures from your own music so we can work them out together. It’s really just a puzzle looking for the right piece to fit!
- Fascinating Rhythms: The system of Ta, taught by Susan Capestro. NOTE: you do NOT need to attend “Fascinating Rhythms for Beginners” prior to taking this session. A workshop directed towards musicians ready for the next level of ringing challenges. Participants will do plenty of tapping, clapping and laughing while learning a philosophical and holistic yet practical approach to interpreting interesting and complex rhythm. By learning this simplified form of Konnakol, or Indian percussion language, you will be able to instantly recognize, easily decipher and interpret rhythms that might otherwise appear daunting.
- Marking Music… making sure your brain knows what your hands are doing (Part 2 of 3: Beginners Rep Reading), taught by Carlene Ruesenberg. Have you ever forgotten to pick up a bell in time for a bell change? Have you ever heard your director say, “it’s marked piano there-please play piano” at the same place every rehearsal, and you’re still not playing piano? Have you ever put a marking on your music that just didn’t make sense to you at the next rehearsal? If you’ve answered “yes” to at least one of these questions, then this class is for you! We’ll explore ways to make markings in your music that are consistent and concise so that you can easily remember from rehearsal to rehearsal what you are meant to do, and you can go beyond the notes and make music. We will use music from the 3:00 rep reading session so you can mark your parts ahead of time.
Class Session 3 (3:00-4:15) Classes
- Technique Tune-up, taught by Evie Sessions & friends. Not your average techniques class. Have you seen different ways to tower swing, mart, echo, etc? What’s the latest method? Do you have a specific question on HOW? Here’s the chance to ask and get expert advice! Have you seen finger damping? Come to this session and give it a try. This will include the most common techniques and the most common technique problems. We will also include malleting and “sticking”. We will have multiple clinicians available to help everyone!
- Take it up a Notch, taught by Jenn Stack. This session is for directors who seek to understand how to raise the bar for their choirs. Participants will be led through reflective and cooperative exercises to evaluate the needs of their choir and the opportunities they have to select new music for their group. We discuss intentional selection of repertoire that will help the choir to advance in any number of ways-their understanding of rhythm, specific techniques, a new musical style. The instructor will dive into some rehearsal strategies, and ways to leverage otherwise wasted moments within the rehearsal in order to teach and reinforce techniques. By using these strategies throughout the year, any group is capable of growing to a new level.
- WITH your marks.. get set…GO! (Part 3 of 3: Beginners Rep Reading), taught by Diane Burke, Susan Capestro, & Karen Leonard. You’ve honed your score study, marking and technique skills in previous classes, so let’s put them to good use! You’ll have a chance to ring through the pieces you’ve been working on in a friendly, supportive environment that promises success. You’ll be amazed at what you can do! To be the most prepared for this repertoire read, please consider taking Part 1 of 3 and 2 of 3 Beginners Rep Reading.
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.