Chiming In
Practice Till You Can’t Get It Wrong
Julie Andrews’ voice teacher once said to her, “Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.” While many of us are amateurs who play for the love of the instrument, we can strive to play professionally by practicing until we can’t get it wrong.
Executive Notes
Perform and Create for Your Health
My journey as a performing and teaching musician changed significantly over the past three years. This was only tangentially related to the pandemic. Instead, it was the result of me placing others’ needs before my own, primarily due to illness, injury, and major life changes.
Membership Matters
50 years of Handbells at St. Matthew’s UMC • Annandale, Virginia
In 1973, St. Matthew’s purchased two octaves of handbells. The children’s choir director, Nancy Cappel, knew nothing about ringing handbells. After reading the pamphlet that came with the bells, she organized seven ladies to ring together. The booklet only said to damp the bells when the piece was finished. Two years later, she attended a [...]
From the President's Pen
In the beginning of March, the board met in New Jersey for its annual spring board retreat. Besides summer events, we usually try to meet in person twice a year.
What's Happening
National Board Election Results
The election for Handbell Musicians of America’s National Board closed on March 15, 2023. This election had one of the highest voter turnouts in HMA history.
Solo, Ensemble, Bell Tree Enthusiasts
Dealing with Distractions
How Some Soloists Face the Challenges of Distractions
We thought it might be fun and interesting to see how other soloists face the challenges of distractions during their performances. So, we asked the question on the Handbell Soloist Facebook page, and here are their answers.
Handbells in Worship
Leaning into the Church Year
Thoughts on Adhering to the Church Calendar
Summer is upon us—a season of reflecting, rejuvenating, and preparing. As we look toward the end of our programmed ringing season, one might think, “Can’t we end it at Easter? It’s nice outside!” And many churches do choose to end their program year within a few weeks of Easter. Kids are absent because of sports, [...]
Handbells in Education
Royal Success in the Classroom
Teaching Music with Handchimes
Handchimes are the perfect instrument to teach music theory to primary general music classes. The sound is gentle, pleasing, and always in tune. They are the easiest pitched instrument to play, even for kindergarteners, and the octaves of the “5’s” and “6’s” (C5 to C7) fit perfectly in their small hands.
Community Connections
Developing a Concert Program
Making Your Concerts Memorable
One of the most common bits of feedback Virginia Bronze (VAB) gets from both our audience and our ringing members is that they love our concert programs. While developing a concert program and choosing repertoire can seem like just another item on the to-do list of running a community ensemble, it has the potential to [...]
Feature
Remembering Honorary Life Member Louise Frier
The handbell community has lost not just a leader in the art of handbell ringing but an innovator in the medium of bell tree ringing. She passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2023.
Music Offering
Permission granted to make copies for choir or classroom use. Must be a current member of Handbell Musicians of America and may not transfer usage rights to a non-member without permission.
What's Happening
We appreciate those who have made contributions to Handbell Musicians of America. Through their generous support, we are better able to serve our mission, members, and handbell community at large.
