Nearly two decades ago, AGEHR historian Joan Shull took on a long-time project creating the Tempo Setters videos, a series of interviews on VHS with many of the prominent handbell leaders and contributors to the growth and development of handbells at the time. Her interviews captured the essence of many of the Guild’s early pioneers, most of whom are no longer with us.
Thanks to the efforts of Susan Schultz in Area 1, we now have all the interviews available digitally and will begin making them available here on the members-only section of our site.
Donald E. Allured was a leader in establishing a standard of excellence for handbell choirs. Throughout his church choirs, his work at Westminster Choir College, his compositions, and his instructional books, he has continually taught that bells must be played with musical integrity at all times. He began his work with handbells in 1963 when a donor at his church wanted to buy the instrument with which he had no experience. He attended his first AGEHR festival that year and began a life long love of handbells. Don was a Past President of AGEHR, Inc., serving 1973-75. He conducted an advanced bell ringing workshop in Michigan for more than 20 years. He continued to support the work and goals of the Guild until his death in 2011.
