The Louisiana All-State Handbell Ensemble Shines in New Orleans
by Greig Ashurst
Greig Ashurst
National Board President
The energy in New Orleans this past January wasn’t just coming from the jazz clubs in the French Quarter—it was actually in the ballrooms of the Hilton Riverside during the Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA) Annual Conference. For the second year in a row, the Louisiana All-State Handbell Ensemble took the stage, proving once again that the future of our instrument is bright, loud, and incredibly talented.
This year’s ensemble brought together 24 gifted young musicians from across Louisiana. With a 5-octave set and a 4-octave set of handbells and handchimes, the students had an intense rehearsal schedule through the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday weekend. This year, LMEA was privileged to have Gillian Erlenborn, HMA National Board member, as their conductor. Gillian’s leadership was nothing short of phenomenal. Her ability to keep 24 teenagers fully engaged through hours of rigorous rehearsal is a testament to her incredible teaching style. She didn’t just teach notes; she taught musicality, passion, and the “why” behind every ring. Under her baton, the students didn’t just play notes on a page, they played incredible music.
If you are a music educator or a state or Area HMA chair, I have one message for you: Start an All-State Handbell Ensemble. Handbells are a unique “secret weapon” in music education. They provide a high-level musical experience that is accessible yet challenging. Consider the benefits I saw firsthand in New Orleans:
Kinesthetic Learning: Students aren’t just reading; they are moving. The physical nature of ringing creates a deep connection between the body and the beat.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL): In a handbell choir, no one is a “third chair.” Every ringer is essential. If one person misses a note, that note is gone. This fosters a profound sense of individual responsibility and communal support.
Unmatched Team Building: It is the ultimate team sport. You cannot succeed alone; you must breathe, move, and listen as one.
The most rewarding part of the weekend? Hearing the students themselves. By the end of the Monday concert, many were already asking, “How can I find more opportunities to play?” This is exactly why we do what we do. We are putting handbells in the hands of the next generation. My hope is to see these students continue their journey by joining HMA activities like Distinctly Teen. They can continue to push their boundaries and meet other young ringers from across the nation.
Indiana and Louisiana have set the tone. Who’s next? Let’s make sure that every student in every state has the chance to experience the joy, the challenge, and the absolute FUN of a high-level handbell ensemble
The energy in New Orleans this past January wasn’t just coming from the jazz clubs in the French Quarter—it was actually in the ballrooms of the Hilton Riverside during the Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA) Annual Conference. For the second year in a row, the Louisiana All-State Handbell Ensemble took the stage, proving once again that the future of our instrument is bright, loud, and incredibly talented.
This year’s ensemble brought together 24 gifted young musicians from across Louisiana. With a 5-octave set and a 4-octave set of handbells and handchimes, the students had an intense rehearsal schedule through the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday weekend. This year, LMEA was privileged to have Gillian Erlenborn, HMA National Board member, as their conductor. Gillian’s leadership was nothing short of phenomenal. Her ability to keep 24 teenagers fully engaged through hours of rigorous rehearsal is a testament to her incredible teaching style. She didn’t just teach notes; she taught musicality, passion, and the “why” behind every ring. Under her baton, the students didn’t just play notes on a page, they played incredible music.
If you are a music educator or a state or Area HMA chair, I have one message for you: Start an All-State Handbell Ensemble. Handbells are a unique “secret weapon” in music education. They provide a high-level musical experience that is accessible yet challenging. Consider the benefits I saw firsthand in New Orleans:
Kinesthetic Learning: Students aren’t just reading; they are moving. The physical nature of ringing creates a deep connection between the body and the beat.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL): In a handbell choir, no one is a “third chair.” Every ringer is essential. If one person misses a note, that note is gone. This fosters a profound sense of individual responsibility and communal support.
Unmatched Team Building: It is the ultimate team sport. You cannot succeed alone; you must breathe, move, and listen as one.
The most rewarding part of the weekend? Hearing the students themselves. By the end of the Monday concert, many were already asking, “How can I find more opportunities to play?” This is exactly why we do what we do. We are putting handbells in the hands of the next generation. My hope is to see these students continue their journey by joining HMA activities like Distinctly Teen. They can continue to push their boundaries and meet other young ringers from across the nation.
Indiana and Louisiana have set the tone. Who’s next? Let’s make sure that every student in every state has the chance to experience the joy, the challenge, and the absolute FUN of a high-level handbell ensemble
Greig Ashurst
National Board President
