Because The Raleigh Ringers were on tour, David was unable to attend National Seminar to accept the award in person. He prepared a video acceptance speech, and we look forward to celebrating with him in-person at a future event. You can see his video at
https://bit.ly/harris-honorary.
David Harris of The Raleigh Ringers was named Handbell Musicians of America’s newest Honorary Life Member, the most prestigious designation HMA bestows, at National Seminar this year in Irving, Texas. This distinction is reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the art of handbell ringing. In HMA’s 69-year history, only 41 people have received this honor to date.
Harris was instrumental in the founding of the community ensemble The Raleigh Ringers in 1990 and has been the group’s director ever since. Under his direction, the Raleigh Ringers have given concerts in 39 states, Canada, France, and Great Britain.
A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, he has also studied conducting privately with Dr. William Payn at Bucknell University. He was the director of the handbell program at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church and has served Handbell Musicians of America in several capacities: as All-Star Choir conductor, ringing track conductor, instructor for National Seminar, North Carolina state chairman, and as Area 3 treasurer. He also chaired the committee that planned the first community/professional handbell choir event, Pinnacle, held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2000.
The Raleigh Ringers have been featured performers at three HMA National Seminars and three HMA Pinnacle events. They have rung in featured concerts at 19 HMA Area festivals.
Harris also founded Virtuoso, an intense, performance-oriented event for advanced handbell musicians and is responsible for commissioning over 160 compositions, including pieces in The Raleigh Ringers Series, The Raleigh Ringers Legacy Series, and The Virtuoso Series.
Under his organizational and directorial leadership, The Raleigh Ringers have produced two nationally-broadcast PBS holiday programs, which have been shown in 45 states with more than 250 PBS affiliates. He has also produced eight CDs and two DVDs.
From the Honorary Life Committee about David Harris: “Dave is as outstanding a candidate as there could be. He has devoted a huge portion of his life to HMA and handbells in general. Music commissioned because of The Raleigh Ringers and with Dave’s guidance has enriched and advanced our repertoire for decades, his contributions through conducting and teaching at festivals and workshops is probably now only reaching its peak.”
Among the comments given about Harris from his nominations are, “David sets a tone of professionalism and respect across the board. There is no more kind, passionate, and conscientious ensemble than The Raleigh Ringers. Under his leadership, the ensemble has navigated the COVID-19 pandemic with grit and grace. And as a touring ensemble, they seem to make each presenter feel special and critical to their mission of sharing handbell music near and far.”
Another nominator commented, “The reason The Raleigh Ringers have been successful has everything to do with David’s leadership, organizational skills, and growth as a conductor and musician over the years.”
David Harris of The Raleigh Ringers was named Handbell Musicians of America’s newest Honorary Life Member, the most prestigious designation HMA bestows, at National Seminar this year in Irving, Texas. This distinction is reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the art of handbell ringing. In HMA’s 69-year history, only 41 people have received this honor to date.
Harris was instrumental in the founding of the community ensemble The Raleigh Ringers in 1990 and has been the group’s director ever since. Under his direction, the Raleigh Ringers have given concerts in 39 states, Canada, France, and Great Britain.
A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, he has also studied conducting privately with Dr. William Payn at Bucknell University. He was the director of the handbell program at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church and has served Handbell Musicians of America in several capacities: as All-Star Choir conductor, ringing track conductor, instructor for National Seminar, North Carolina state chairman, and as Area 3 treasurer. He also chaired the committee that planned the first community/professional handbell choir event, Pinnacle, held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2000.
The Raleigh Ringers have been featured performers at three HMA National Seminars and three HMA Pinnacle events. They have rung in featured concerts at 19 HMA Area festivals.
Harris also founded Virtuoso, an intense, performance-oriented event for advanced handbell musicians and is responsible for commissioning over 160 compositions, including pieces in The Raleigh Ringers Series, The Raleigh Ringers Legacy Series, and The Virtuoso Series.
Under his organizational and directorial leadership, The Raleigh Ringers have produced two nationally-broadcast PBS holiday programs, which have been shown in 45 states with more than 250 PBS affiliates. He has also produced eight CDs and two DVDs.
From the Honorary Life Committee about David Harris: “Dave is as outstanding a candidate as there could be. He has devoted a huge portion of his life to HMA and handbells in general. Music commissioned because of The Raleigh Ringers and with Dave’s guidance has enriched and advanced our repertoire for decades, his contributions through conducting and teaching at festivals and workshops is probably now only reaching its peak.”
Among the comments given about Harris from his nominations are, “David sets a tone of professionalism and respect across the board. There is no more kind, passionate, and conscientious ensemble than The Raleigh Ringers. Under his leadership, the ensemble has navigated the COVID-19 pandemic with grit and grace. And as a touring ensemble, they seem to make each presenter feel special and critical to their mission of sharing handbell music near and far.”
Another nominator commented, “The reason The Raleigh Ringers have been successful has everything to do with David’s leadership, organizational skills, and growth as a conductor and musician over the years.”
Because The Raleigh Ringers were on tour, David was unable to attend National Seminar to accept the award in person. He prepared a video acceptance speech, and we look forward to celebrating with him in-person at a future event. You can see his video at
https://bit.ly/harris-honorary.
