by P.L. Grove
If someone had told me that I would finish out the last year of my Handbell Musicians of America presidency in the middle of global upheaval due to a viral pandemic and racial strife (to name just two major issues), well, I might have said “I’ll pass.” I think many of us are feeling that way these days: the urge to curl up in a ball and go to sleep. And that’s exactly why we can’t.
P.L. Grove
National Board President
As musicians, we believe music heals. Music is love. Music is the universal language. Music brings us together. Music creates peace. So now, more than ever, the world needs music. However, because of COVID-19, there are no bands, no orchestras, no singers. There is no Broadway, no opera, no physical church, even. Does the rest of the world really understand that this lack of making music contributes to our feeling of a lack of hope?
We musicians know, don’t we? We know the importance of the arts. It’s why videos of people singing on social media are putting a smile on people’s faces during this crisis. It’s why apps like TikTok with people dancing are popular. It’s why schools for the arts exist. And it’s why Margaret Shurcliff thought our organization was needed to foster and grow the art of handbell ringing.
I had so many things I wanted to say in this, my final article as your president. But because of where we are in life, I just want to take a moment to encourage you all to continue to step into this challenge. It may look daunting and strange as to how we will continue to ring in the months ahead. But don’t say “I’ll pass.” Don’t go to sleep. People are hungering for music to put that smile on their face and give them hope. We know that handbells have that ability. And we know that handbells have the possibility of getting back to ringing sooner than other musical instruments or voices. If ever there was a perfect time for handbells to take center stage, now is that time. We just need to step up to the challenge.
A big part of that challenge is support. Ringers, are you supporting your director during this time? Have you asked what your director might need? Directors, have you asked for support from your ringers? Have you asked for guidance from other directors in the larger handbell community? In what ways do you support the rest of your handbell team? Have you sought counseling if you’re struggling with depression? (Many of us are.) If you are able, do you financially support your church? If you are able, can you financially support Handbell Musicians of America with an extra donation? Non-profits are especially vulnerable right now, and while they might not ask you directly, they need extra financial support. We want these organizations to still be there when “things return to normal,” right? And, of course, if you are someone who is in need of financial support, are you willing to say so? Support in a time of crisis is something that is a challenge for all of us, and it manifests itself in so many ways. We need to accept and respond to the challenge, especially if it’s our own.
We also need to be willing to “pivot,” to use one of the current buzz words. We need to be willing to do things differently in order to keep things going. And we need to be willing to put ourselves out there, which might mean playing that handbell solo or bell tree that we’ve never tried before, or forming a quartet or trio that we never thought we could do. Some of us might be learning new technical skills until our brain hurts. It’s time to feel the fear and do it anyway!
So as I conclude my term as your president, I want to leave you with the same words I spoke at our virtual national seminar in July, because this challenge has not and will not change: Be creative. Be musical. Be supportive. Be educational. Be inclusive. Be a team. And be inspiring with handbells.
Challenge accepted.
P.L. Grove
[email protected]
As musicians, we believe music heals. Music is love. Music is the universal language. Music brings us together. Music creates peace. So now, more than ever, the world needs music. However, because of COVID-19, there are no bands, no orchestras, no singers. There is no Broadway, no opera, no physical church, even. Does the rest of the world really understand that this lack of making music contributes to our feeling of a lack of hope?
We musicians know, don’t we? We know the importance of the arts. It’s why videos of people singing on social media are putting a smile on people’s faces during this crisis. It’s why apps like TikTok with people dancing are popular. It’s why schools for the arts exist. And it’s why Margaret Shurcliff thought our organization was needed to foster and grow the art of handbell ringing.
I had so many things I wanted to say in this, my final article as your president. But because of where we are in life, I just want to take a moment to encourage you all to continue to step into this challenge. It may look daunting and strange as to how we will continue to ring in the months ahead. But don’t say “I’ll pass.” Don’t go to sleep. People are hungering for music to put that smile on their face and give them hope. We know that handbells have that ability. And we know that handbells have the possibility of getting back to ringing sooner than other musical instruments or voices. If ever there was a perfect time for handbells to take center stage, now is that time. We just need to step up to the challenge.
A big part of that challenge is support. Ringers, are you supporting your director during this time? Have you asked what your director might need? Directors, have you asked for support from your ringers? Have you asked for guidance from other directors in the larger handbell community? In what ways do you support the rest of your handbell team? Have you sought counseling if you’re struggling with depression? (Many of us are.) If you are able, do you financially support your church? If you are able, can you financially support Handbell Musicians of America with an extra donation? Non-profits are especially vulnerable right now, and while they might not ask you directly, they need extra financial support. We want these organizations to still be there when “things return to normal,” right? And, of course, if you are someone who is in need of financial support, are you willing to say so? Support in a time of crisis is something that is a challenge for all of us, and it manifests itself in so many ways. We need to accept and respond to the challenge, especially if it’s our own.
We also need to be willing to “pivot,” to use one of the current buzz words. We need to be willing to do things differently in order to keep things going. And we need to be willing to put ourselves out there, which might mean playing that handbell solo or bell tree that we’ve never tried before, or forming a quartet or trio that we never thought we could do. Some of us might be learning new technical skills until our brain hurts. It’s time to feel the fear and do it anyway!
So as I conclude my term as your president, I want to leave you with the same words I spoke at our virtual national seminar in July, because this challenge has not and will not change: Be creative. Be musical. Be supportive. Be educational. Be inclusive. Be a team. And be inspiring with handbells.
Challenge accepted.
P.L. Grove
[email protected]
P.L. Grove
National Board President
