Connecticut Spring Ring 2017

Saturday, March 25 

We are looking forward to another day of ringing, learning, fellowship and fun at the annual CT Spring Ring! This year the event will consist of three parts: massed rehearsals, workshops, and a sharing concert in the afternoon. Andy Wallace is our clinician this year, and he will lead rehearsals using the selections listed on the left.  There will also be various workshops, which you can choose when you register. The day will conclude with a public concert presentation of the coppers' and massed-ring pieces, along with peformances by bell choirs or small ensembles who choose to share their talents!

Individual ringers as well as bell choirs are invited to attend. If you are attending as an individual or as a partial bell choir, please let us know if you would like to be placed with another group. Similarly, if you are a bell choir missing some members, let us know what position(s) you might want filled. We will try our best to find good homes for all "orphans."  As with all events sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America, participants must either be members, or register under the membership number of their director/group. See below for the link to more information about membership.

About our Guest Clinician

Andy Wallace of North Stonington, CT, is the Director of Music and Worship Arts at Dunn’s Corners Community Church, Presbyterian, in Westerly RI, where he has spent over twenty years directing the choral and handbell programs.  Andy has been ringing handbells in choirs and  ensembles since 1991, is active as a solo ringer and as a clinician throughout Area 1.  He is a middle school history teacher in West Greenwich RI, and has received several outstanding teaching awards, including the prestigious Milken National Educator Award, the “Oscar” of education.

Event Details

Fees:

The $15.00 Participant fee covers building use charges, administrative costs, and clinician honorariums. If you have youth attending, one adult chaperone must accompany each 6 youth ringers (under 18) attending.  Chaperones who are not ringing must register, but are not charged.

Repertoire:

The massed-ring repertoire and the selection for the Coppers' workshop are listed on the left. In accordance with the Handbell Musicians of America guidelines, all music used must be original purchased copies. Check with your Director about purchasing copies.  No photocopies will be allowed.

What to Bring:

All bell choirs attending must bring their own equipment: tables, foam, covers, music, music stands, bells, mallets and chimes as needed. Chairs will be provided. One person from each choir (director or coordinator) should provide information about table space needed, etc.  Each Ringer should bring gloves and comfortable shoes. If your choir has a uniform or concert dress you are encouraged to wear it all day or for the performance.

Meals:

Water will be provided.  Please bring your own lunch and any snacks you would like.  We are not allowed to use the school kitchen, so coffee and tea will not be provided.

Scholarships Available:

Shoreline Ringers will once again provide some scholarship funds to bell choirs needing help to cover the cost of music. Please contact Mobby Larson at ct.area1@handbellmusicians.org if you would like to apply. Consideration will be given especially to bell choirs attending for the first time.

Workshops Available:  Participants can pick one morning and one afternoon

Coppers' workshop (takes both workshop slots)   Andy Wallace, our clinician for the massed ringing, will lead a workshop practicing Toccata for a Joyous Day, one of the selections which Coppers will be playing at Festival Conference. This will be shared during our afternoon concert. You should purchase and look through the music before you come to Spring Ring. A focus of the workshop will be identifying patterns in individual parts and memorization to insure ringers maintain visual contact with the conductor.

Handbell techniques    Are you unsure of exactly how to do a mart lift, or perhaps a bit self-conscious doing a gyro? Samantha Beschta will review basic and some more advanced bell ringing techniques.

Healthy ringing    How’s that wrist holding up? Is your elbow or your shoulder complaining just a bit? Joanne Moore, a physical therapist, board certified in orthopedics, with an M.S. in exercise physiology, and a Doctor of Health Sciences concentrating on the arthritis spectrum, will be on hand to show us how to keep our bodies happy and healthy.

Making friends with your music    Are you just a bit apprehensive when you are handed a new piece of music? No need to panic! Kristen Russo will share some get-acquainted tips for scoping it out, seeing what you will need, knowing what to look for, and how to mark key spots.

Percussion    OK, you’ve figured out how to play the tambourine or the sleigh bells, but how do you read the score and know when to do what? Krishna Ersson will show you how percussion adds to the musicality of your bell music.

Rhythm    Sure 4/4 is easy, or even 6/8. But what do you do when the rhythm is syncopated, or the notes are tied, or when you have 3 against 2? You can count on Jane Nolan to help you figure it all out!

Trebles    You’ve always wanted to know how to do that magic with two bells in each hand. Lawrence Berdensey will show you the tricks and let you practice your own magic.

 

Register Now!