Area 1 Winter Workshop
We are excited to be back together for Winter Workshop 2024! If you want to meet new people, become more effective in your ringing or directing skills, work with great directors, and share experiences with others in a social atmosphere, this fun filled weekend is for you.
Date:
January 26 – January 27, 2024
Location:
UMASS Amherst
Campus Center
1 Campus Center Way
Amherst, MA 01003
Event Schedule
| Friday 1/26 |
|
| 4:00-7:00 PM | Registration Check-in (11th floor of campus center) |
| 5:00-6:00 PM | Happy Hour |
| 6:00-7:00 PM | Dinner |
| 7:00-9:00 PM | Ringing Tracks Rehearsal 1 |
| Saturday 1/27 | |
| 7:00-8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00-10:00 | Ringing Tracks Rehearsal 2 |
| 10:00-10:20 | Coffee Break |
| 10:20-11:20 | Class Choice Opportunity Period 1 |
| 11:30-12:30 | Class Choice Opportunity Period 2 |
| 12:30-1:30 | Lunch |
| 1:30-2:30 | Ringing Tracks Rehearsal 3 |
| 3:15 – 4:00 | Final Concert |
Contacts
Jane Nolan
Event Chair
janesjazz@comcast.net
860-912-1833
Susan Schultz
Event Registrar
Handbell Musicians of America, Area 1
registrar.area1@handbellmusicians.org
978-273-2226
Event Details
Join us in January for the ever-popular Winter Workshop. The event begins on Friday with registration beginning at 4:00 and ends on Saturday at 4:00 after a concert when both choirs will perform. The weekend includes ringing in one of two ringing tracks. The Distinctly New England track will be directed by Monica McGowan. The Beyond Basics – Before Bronze track will be directed by Area 1’s own Andy Wallace and Jane Nolan. The second track is for those who enjoy ringing but don’t feel quite ready for bronze level music. There will also be workshops in addition to the ringing on Saturday. This will also give those ringing in the Beyond Basics – Before Bronze an opportunity to work with Monica McGowan in a workshop setting.
Both ringing tracks will begin rehearsing on Friday evening after dinner. For each of the ringing opportunities, you will be able to select your ringing preference at registration. You will receive your ringing assignment in early January to allow you to purchase your music and look at it ahead of the event.
(registration will open mid-October)
Distinctly New England
The “Distinctly New England” ringing track will be directed by Monica McGowan, director of Bells of the Hills, of Rapid City, SD. This will be an advanced ringing experience ringing three level 3+ to level 5 music with an emphasis on musicality. This gives ringers an opportunity to ring more difficult music than perhaps you do in your church choir and to ring in a multiple choir ensemble.
Repertoire
- Caprice – Cynthia Dobrinski – AGEHR publishing 35035
3-5 octaves level 4+ - Life’s Journey – Jason Krug – Jeffers Handbell Supply JHS9532
4-7 octaves level 5 - The Snow Lay on the Ground – Arr. Alex Guebert MJMG1045
3-7 octaves level 3+
Beyond the Basics and Before Bronze
This second ringing track will be directed by Andy Wallace and Jane Nolan. This group will review basic ringing and conducting techniques with an emphasis on musicality. It gives directors, who don’t often have an opportunity to ring, an opportunity to experience life at the table from a ringer’s standpoint. For everyone this is a chance to experience two different teaching styles. For ringers who always ring in the same position, it is a chance to ring in a different position.
Repertoire
- The First Noel – Sandra Eithun – MRW8291
3-6 octaves level 3 - Air with Holy, Holy, Holy – Arr. Linda Lamb MLC20169
2-3 octaves handbells and hand chimes level 2+
Cost Details
Early bird registration will be $190 and after December 20th the cost will be $215.
Price includes entire event, 3 meals plus snacks. There is no single day commuter option.
Attendees will need to purchase their own music ahead of time. Ringing positions will be assigned by January 1st, based on the positions requested at registration.
Housing
Housing is a separate cost from the conference, and will be available at the UMass Amherst Hotel, where there is a reserved block of rooms for us.
Reserve your room BY December 29, 2023 to secure your reservation at the group rate of $159. After that date, the group rate and room availability are no longer guaranteed.
Book by phone: 877-822-2110, (Group Code 800793)
Book online: https://www.reseze.net/servlet/SendPage?hotelid=1760&skipfirstpage=true&page=800793
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.