Western Mass Fall Tune-Up (“TUNE-up”… get it?) Workshop
Date:
Saturday, October 26th, 8:30 AM-3:00 PM
Location:
102 Middle Street
Hadley, MA 01035
Event Schedule
- 8:30-9:00: Arrive, Check-in & Welcome
- 9:00-10:15: Basic Ringing Techniques & Notation OR Advanced Ringing Techniques – Part 1
- 10:30-11:45: Basic Stopped Techniques OR Advanced Ringing Techniques – Part 2
- 12:00-12:45: Lunch (Bring your own bag lunch)
- 1:00-3:00: Afternoon session with 2025 Festival repertoire
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
“Fall Tune-up” is an opportunity for ringers to learn new skills or sharpen old ones to advance to the next level. Participants will choose two morning workshops out of concurrent offerings. Please see details below. All techniques will be taught hands-on in the context of drills and repertoire. After a short break for lunch (please bring your own bag lunch), we will be working through two Festival Conference 2025 repertoire selections. Come in the morning to tune up those skills and stay for the afternoon to apply what we have learned to next year’s music. Cost is $15 for the day. No need to purchase music ahead of time. Both selections will be available at the workshop.
Ringers can attend as individuals or as part of a choir, and attendees do not need to bring their own equipment. Please come for the morning classes and stay as long as you like.
The repertoire being used will be available on site for attendees to either purchase or simply borrow for the afternoon. This event will be an opportunity to work on some excellent pieces of music alongside other ringers from your area. Snacks will be provided, but lunch is not. Come ring while getting to know other handbell musicians from throughout Western Mass!
Registration
Registration will be open here through October 21, 2024.
Clinicians
JENNIFER STACK began playing handbells in 2012 at the invitation of a coworker and fell deep down the rabbit hole. She has been ringing with Merrimack Valley Ringers since 2018 and runs the handbell choirs for The Holy Rood Collaborative in Chelmsford, MA. She is also currently serving as the Area 1 Chime Loan Chair and Area 1 Chair. Her lifelong study of music began with piano lessons at age 5, singing in the choir and playing her French Horn everywhere from her local church to Symphony Hall. When not working or playing music, Jennifer enjoys knitting and baking, and is the published author of several children’s books. Jennifer studied Music Education at UMASS Amherst before pursuing work in the Early Childhood field. She lives in Chelmsford with her husband Mike and their tuxedo cat Bronx. She currently works as a PreK teacher for Lowell Public Schools where she shares her love of books, bells, and music with her students.
KRISTEN RUSSO has been playing handbells since the age of 17. She has rung her way around New England starting with the St. Joseph Handbell Choir in Bristol CT, to the New England Ringers in MA, to Bells of Joy in Rutland VT, and now to the Shoreline Ringers! She is also a vocalist and sings with semi- professional choirs around CT. Kristen spends her days working at Trinity Solar as a Concierge Team Manager. She currently lives in New Britain and directs the St Joseph Church Handbell Choir in Bristol. Kristen has a degree in Music Education and is waiting patiently for the day when the Shoreline Ringers book their first cruise.Repertoire
Repertoire will be available on site for attendees to either purchase or simply borrow for the event. While there is no requirement to purchase music in advance, the repertoire is listed below.
- Fanfare and Intrada 3-6 Octaves Level: 3 MBEHB777
Composer: Jason Krug; Arranger: N/A - It’s Time for Sayang Sayang (It’s Time for Love) 3-5 Octaves Level: 2 MMBPH1SG
Composer: Alvin Oon; Arranger: Damien Lim
Class Descriptions
“Basic Ringing Techniques & Notation” – Jennifer Stack
This class promises to be fun with ringing together exercises. Beginning with the basic ringing stroke, this class will review all the handbell techniques you’ve ever heard of, and perhaps introduce you to some techniques you haven’t encountered yet. We’ll also explore ways to accomplish dynamic changes and especially ringing soft without an “air bell”. Emphasis will be on executing the techniques correctly, musically, and safely – for both you and your bells.
“Basic Stopped Techniques” – Jennifer Stack
This class will focus on proper form while playing a martellato, plucking, or with mallets. We will also explore tap pluck, pluck lift, thumb damp, hand damp, mart lift, hand mart, and ring touch. We’ll play some practice drills and some snip-its of real music where these techniques come into play. Maybe you already know how to “stop” the sound, but the key is to do it MUSICALLY.
“Advanced Ringing Techniques – Part 1” – Kristen Russo
If you are ready to step up your game, then this class is for you. Together we’ll explore: 4-in- hand, weaving and recognizing when to apply each. Exercises will include using both bells and chimes. We’ll even learn how traveling 4-in-hand can resolve those tricky passages. Come join us on this adventure into advanced techniques and add these to your toolbox.
“Advanced Ringing Techniques – Part 2” – Kristen Russo
Continue your journey by taking part 2. Are you comfortable with Four in Hand and Shelley but want to know how to thumb damp, pluck, mart, shake, and weave with 4iH? We’ll start with different ways to hold the bells and practice these articulations and scenarios. How about finger damping smoothly without breaking stride. Bring your own unique challenge with you and we’ll tackle it together. As time permits, we will also explore those not often used techniques, like singing bell, trills, rolled chords or controlled diminuendos? This class will be packed with ways to become that next level ringer.
Food
Light snacks will be provided. Please bring a bag lunch if attending both morning and afternoon sessions. Please bring a refillable water bottle.
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 |
| 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.
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 October 14, 2024 in the amount charged less a $2 processing fee. No refunds can be issued after that date.
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.