Chiming In
As many of you may already know, I’m involved in many arts and performing organizations. Besides handbells, I’m also involved with community theater as well as barbershop chorus and quartet singing. In all these endeavors—all amateur—I get the opportunity to perform in many venues at the local level.
Executive Notes
I remain in awe by the sheer number of handbell activities that take place throughout the twelve Areas of Handbell Musicians of America!
Membership Matters
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow… Unless You’re Ringing “Dancing Queen”
I said good-bye to my handbell home of five years while ringing “Dancing Queen.” My group Granite State Ringers (GSR) was ringing at Oktobellfest 2022 in Westerly, Rhode Island, with 75 other ringers.
From the President's Pen
I have been thinking a lot about resolutions lately. I previously shared I don’t believe in the desire to make a change being tied to a calendar.
Feature
Remembering Sun-Joo Shin, a Driving Force in the International Handbell Community
The international handbell community has lost a great leader recently with the passing of Sun-Joo Shin, of Japan, a founding member of the Handbell Ringers of Japan and co-founder of the International Handbell Symposium and International Handbell Committee.
Solo, Ensemble, Bell Tree Enthusiasts
Growth of Music for 8-12 Bells
In the last couple of years, many composers and arrangers have turned their attention to producing music for smaller groups. These days, you can find pieces for anything from six and 16 bells—ranging from straightforward, well-known melodies to intricate and challenging original compositions.
Handbells in Worship
Seven Habits for a Successful Bell Program
This past summer, while preparing to lead a worship seminar for the Area 8 Festival, I ran across a handout from a similar workshop I taught in 2016. The handout is based on those lists of “Seven Habits for a Highly Successful (fill in the blank),” and my handout was entitled “Seven Goals for Highly [...]
Handbells in Education
Joyful Literate Musicians
Handbells as a Mainstream Musical Instrument
My first experience with handbells was in 1994 as a sixth grader attending my older brother’s high school concerts. My ears were accustomed to the familiar sounds at school concerts: choirs, piano solos, vocal duets, and string groups.
Community Connections
Don’t Judge a Library by its Books
Promoting Your Program Through Public Libraries
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, and increasingly, you can’t judge a library’s value to its community simply by its books. Libraries are central to every community and provide a safe and welcoming gathering place to access reading materials and participate in various programs for all ages that can enrich their [...]
Area Spotlights
Area Spotlights – Winter 2023
Events and Happenings in Your Area
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