The Area 10 Ad Hoc Team (Brit and Canadian for Choir) for the International Symposium in 2016, is ready to take applications for inclusion on the Team. Go to the Area 10 Website for details and Team registration/application or click the links below. We have reserved 24 spots!

Ad Hoc Team Informational Letter

Ad Hoc Team Application

 

You must complete the application to be a part of the Team. For additional information or if you have any questions, contact Diane Hould,

chairelect.area10@handbellmusicians.org

 

      It was such a wonderful experience having the handchimes this past year at Sherman Elementary School. Musical Chimes turned out to be a perfect fit for the students and families that attend this school. Loaning them to us helped me enrich the music program. Many of the students and families have indicated they want to continue with a handbell program and are willing to work toward purchasing handbells. I feel that we will have handbell musicians of the future coming from this school.

     When I introduced the instruments to the students they were very excited to learn to play. They were so eager to learn that they would come in at recess to practice. Our first performance was at the Harvest Musical Festival in November. The students were nervous but did not miss one note. Of course, they received a standing ovation. I was so proud. Our next performance was at a senior residential facility in December. I was so proud of how our students related to the senior residents. The residents simply beamed with happiness to see the young students perform. I think that was the performance that meant the most to me. To see the music bring such happiness to senior residents touched my heart. I know it affected the students and the feeling will stay with them a lifetime. It taught the students that we are to bring happiness to people with our music and that this is the reward for our hard work.

     After Winter Break the students came back with new vigor to learn new songs on the chimes. They worked very hard towards our last performance for the year at the Art and Literacy Night. The handchimes performance stole the slow for the evening with their finale, "White Coral Bells".

  

    It is hard to return the chimes to you and wait for the money to come in to purchase new ones. However, I know that they will go on to another school to enrich the music program and touch the lives of more students and create handbell musicians of the future.

Angela Moceri

 Below is a student note from the school. A couple of others will be in future issues of the Campanologist.

 

 

      Handchimes continue to prove to be one of the most "useable" and enjoyable group instruments in the musical world. Ellie Hodder, Director, and members of the Chime Choir at Town Center Village in Clackamas, Oregon invited the chimers from Mary's Woods Retirement Community in Lake Oswego to join them for a combined concert. Each choir played separate pieces and then played English Country Dance II arranged by Martha Lynn Thompson in mass. Susan Schilke directs the chimers from Mary's Woods on one of the Oregon sets of Area 10 loaner handchimes. The group was the recipient of the loaner chimes for the 2014- 2015 season and have been re-issued their use for the 2015-2016 season. On June 22nd, Town Center Village will resume rehearsals and their plans for the creation of a festival designed for retired chiming groups. If you are part of this style of musical group and would like to see a festival of this kind in the Greater Portland area, contact Ellie Hodder, nwwalk@spiritone.com.

 

Shosh Meyer,

Area 10 Oregon Chair

 

     Consider this rescue operation, a true story shared by one choir director who inherited a failing church bell choir. The aging players seemed to regard their rehearsals primarily as a time to socialize, and they weren't interested in accepting challenges or building skills. They were pressing to move their practices to an afternoon time, which would only make it harder to recruit new, younger players. The director recognized the need for a paradigm shift. Not only did the choir members need a boost, but there also needed to be a way for some players to retire gracefully.

 

     The Plan: Prior to Easter, the regular choir was dismissed. The director then recruited people from the congregation who had never before played a bell, but would be willing to be in a short-term beginning group. Their goal was to play at the Easter service. The group had five practices of 45 minutes each, immediately following the Sunday morning church service.

 

     The Outcome: The re-formed choir of 11 was a complete success on Easter Sunday. They played the bell parts specifically arranged for them in the music that included choir, brass, organ and bells. Following the Easter experiment, all ringers, the new ones and ones with years of experience, were invited to sign up for a new set of four rehearsals and a performance.   What emerged was a completely new line-up of 12 players, all ringing in different places along side different people, and they agreed to keep the new Sunday practice time. It was not totally smooth sailing, but after four weeks, the group had melded well and managed to perform a solo anthem.

 

     Starting next Fall, this new format will continue. Performance dates will occur every two months, and a new set of ringers will sign on each time. The former players will have to rise to the demand of the new Sunday morning rehearsal time. Most likely the overall experience will be so positive that the need to socialize will easily be met. It looks like this healthy choir should be able to nourish its players for a long time to come.  

Tomi Kent

Montana Chair

 

 

Snake River Handbell Conference

Friday & Saturday, February 5 & 6

Central Elementary Gym

Nampa, Idaho

 

Clinician: Kevin McChesney

   

    Plan now to come to Nampa (just west of Boise) for the opportunity to ring under the direction of Kevin. The cost is $55 by December 1 and $65 after December 1. A $10 discount is offered for 2 or more from the same immediate family. Registration form will be in the August issue.

 

Music Repertoire

 

This event is sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America.

 

 

Inland Northwest Handbell Workshop

Friday & Saturday, April 8 & 9

Simpson United Methodist Church

Pullman, Washington

 

Clinician: Phyllis Tincher

   

Save the date for a great time ringing and learning!

 

This event is sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America.

 

 

     Did you know Area 10 has a Facebook page?  Please search for "Handbell Musicians of America - Area 10" and like the page. If you want an event added, please send the information to Phyllis Tincher at campanologist.area10@handbellmusicians.org. A picture for the event can also be added.

Click here for basic information.

Click the image for all the details.

  

 

 

Your event or concert could be listed here! 

 

Your event or concert could be listed here!

 

Ring Praise Music Ministry (Phyllis Tincher, handbell soloist, and Sean Rogers, pianist/organist) concerts in Eastern Oregon (no charge, sponsored by the Presbytery of Eastern Oregon):

Thursday & Friday, September 17 & 18 - TBA.

Saturday, September 19 - 7:00 pm, First Presbyterian Church, 1308 Washington, LaGrande.

Sunday, September 20 - 10:30 am worship service, First Presbyterian Church, 1995 Fourth Street, Baker City.

Sunday, September 20 - 7:00 pm, Pioneer Presbyterian Church, 417 W Washington, Burns.

 

Friday & Saturday, April 29 & 30, 2016 - Siskiyou Summit Handbell Conference with Cathy Moklebust, Ashland.