by Jill Fedon
Every two years, handbell musicians from around the world gather to make music, learn new skills, celebrate different cultures, and visit with friends, old and new.
Jill Fedon
National Board President
After missing the 2020 event, the 20th International Handbell Symposium—hosted by Handbell Musicians of America in Nashville, Tennessee—was a grand reunion. Or so I witnessed through social media—COVID kept me home in New Jersey. Thank goodness for Facebook and the many joyous posts that helped those of us unable to attend feel like we were a part of the festivities. Every photo and video shared clearly depicted that the event truly embodied this year’s theme, “Out of Many, One”: one instrument, one community, one family. Music and our love of handbells connect us, but our differences and the understanding gained through our common language of handbells truly unite us.
The International Handbell Committee (IHC) was formed in 1990 to set standards and goals for the International Handbell Symposium. The mission of the IHC is to promote of the art of handbell ringing throughout the world. Their vision for the future is to promote communication between nations, handbells as a musical art, and world peace through the spirit of music. Symposium is that vision come to life and exactly what our world needs right now. The Committee, comprised of remarkably passionate handbell advocates, meets every two years at Symposium, and thankfully, technology allowed several of us at home to attend the day-long meeting with those in Nashville. The International Handbell Committee is working hard to envision a path forward that further strengthens our mission, vision, and connection to one another.
On behalf of the board, I wish to extend our deepest gratitude to Jenny Cauhorn and the Symposium Planning Committee, Linda Onorevole and your hard-working national staff, the conductors, IHC members and guild representatives, the vendors, the instructors, and all the attendees who made the event an inspiring and wonderful success. On a personal note, I also wish to thank Greig Ashurst, President-Elect, for assuming responsibilities in my absence.
During his remarks at the closing banquet of the International Handbell Symposium, Greig challenged everyone to complete the statement: “Because of handbells…” Before our 2020 National Seminar, a marketing committee developed this into a campaign around “because of handbells” that would have been the focus of that Seminar. Delayed by the pandemic, the fact that “Because of Handbells” was shared on an international stage only makes the message all the more special. While it may not have taken you to an International Handbell Symposium (yet!), our involvement in handbells has changed our lives. From finding our passion or purpose, to amazing travels and performance opportunities, and finding our people—our dearest friends and our chosen family—this instrument has given us beautiful music, and so much more. Who or what are you because of handbells? Share your stories online. Remember to use the hashtag #BecauseOfHandbells and tag Handbell Musicians of America.
Jill Fedon
[email protected]
After missing the 2020 event, the 20th International Handbell Symposium—hosted by Handbell Musicians of America in Nashville, Tennessee—was a grand reunion. Or so I witnessed through social media—COVID kept me home in New Jersey. Thank goodness for Facebook and the many joyous posts that helped those of us unable to attend feel like we were a part of the festivities. Every photo and video shared clearly depicted that the event truly embodied this year’s theme, “Out of Many, One”: one instrument, one community, one family. Music and our love of handbells connect us, but our differences and the understanding gained through our common language of handbells truly unite us.
The International Handbell Committee (IHC) was formed in 1990 to set standards and goals for the International Handbell Symposium. The mission of the IHC is to promote of the art of handbell ringing throughout the world. Their vision for the future is to promote communication between nations, handbells as a musical art, and world peace through the spirit of music. Symposium is that vision come to life and exactly what our world needs right now. The Committee, comprised of remarkably passionate handbell advocates, meets every two years at Symposium, and thankfully, technology allowed several of us at home to attend the day-long meeting with those in Nashville. The International Handbell Committee is working hard to envision a path forward that further strengthens our mission, vision, and connection to one another.
On behalf of the board, I wish to extend our deepest gratitude to Jenny Cauhorn and the Symposium Planning Committee, Linda Onorevole and your hard-working national staff, the conductors, IHC members and guild representatives, the vendors, the instructors, and all the attendees who made the event an inspiring and wonderful success. On a personal note, I also wish to thank Greig Ashurst, President-Elect, for assuming responsibilities in my absence.
During his remarks at the closing banquet of the International Handbell Symposium, Greig challenged everyone to complete the statement: “Because of handbells…” Before our 2020 National Seminar, a marketing committee developed this into a campaign around “because of handbells” that would have been the focus of that Seminar. Delayed by the pandemic, the fact that “Because of Handbells” was shared on an international stage only makes the message all the more special. While it may not have taken you to an International Handbell Symposium (yet!), our involvement in handbells has changed our lives. From finding our passion or purpose, to amazing travels and performance opportunities, and finding our people—our dearest friends and our chosen family—this instrument has given us beautiful music, and so much more. Who or what are you because of handbells? Share your stories online. Remember to use the hashtag #BecauseOfHandbells and tag Handbell Musicians of America.
Jill Fedon
[email protected]
Jill Fedon
National Board President
