A weekend of learning with a wide range of expert instructors on an assortment of handbell related topics. Take advantage of this chance to learn, grow and share your enthusiasm from the comfort of your own home. The only equipment required is your computer and a solid internet connection. Having bells at home may enhance the experience of some of the courses but are not required. The $99 registration fee provides the opportunity to attend live sessions over three days, and watch the recordings of all sessions for 30 days following the event.
Schedule
Friday, January 31
| Session 1 – 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Finale Part 1 – Jason Krug | Sustaining a Church Handbell Choir – Toni Gambini |
| Session 2 – 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM | Hosting a Mini Handbell Festival – Susan Oxley | Dream Weaving: Wend Your Way Through Without Getting Warped – Michèle Sharik |
| Session 3 – 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Bells in Contemporary Worship – Ron Mallory | Event Budgeting – Linda Onorevole |
Saturday, February 1
| Session 4 – 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Finale Part 2 – Jason Krug | Bells and Chimes and Kids…Oh My! Handbells in Elementary School – Marylin Lake |
| Session 5 – 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM | Rehearsing at Home – Ron Mallory | Dealing with Challenging Personalities – Sandy Mullaney |
| Session 6 – 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Enhancing Worship Through Handbells – Stephanie Rhoads | First Look: Strategies for Sight-Reading Success – Stevie Berryman |
| Session 7 – 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM | Finale Part 3 – Jason Krug | Crafting a Concert – Stevie Berryman |
| Session 8 – 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Score Preparation and Study – Kim Strepka | Junior/Middle/High School Handbell Ensembles – Corbin Rasmussen |
| Session 9 – 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM | Eight and Twelve Bell Music – Mitchell Eithun | Conductor’s Steps to Teaching a Piece Quickly – Joe Galyon |
Sunday, February 2
| Session 10 – 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Basic Handbell Quartets – Forte Quartet | Finale Part 4 – Jason Krug |
| Session 11 – 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM | Marketing Your Handbell Ensemble – Angie Chiatello | Sponsorships and Fundraising – Linda Onorevole |
Class descriptions
Ensemble Basics with Forté
Forté Handbell Quartet
Passing, weaving, displacing bells, teamwork, and creativity are important concepts for success in ensemble ringing (and they can be quite useful in full-choir ringing as well). In this class, we will delve into the reasoning behind a variety of techniques that are beneficial for ensembles of all skill levels. We will explain how each technique can be applied in practical situations and demonstrate their usage through specific musical examples. Following these demonstrations, we will provide ample time for an open discussion, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification, and explore any additional insights related to the topics covered. Our goal is to ensure a comprehensive understanding of these techniques, leaving you confident in applying them to your own ensemble work.
Handbells in Contemporary Worship
Ron Mallory
Contemporary worship styles have become standard in many churches, and there’s no reason handbell musicians can’t participate–though it might involve thinking a bit differently about how we approach our instrument. Come explore some creative ways to use a full handbell choir, small ensemble, or soloist in a contemporary worship setting. We’ll also discuss ways to have healthy conversations with your pastor or worship leader about casting a vision for incorporating handbells into contemporary worship.
Getting Started with Music for 8-12 Handbells
Mitchell Eithun
If you are short on ringers or want to play handbells in small spaces, this class is for you! You will learn about the various aspects of small handbell ensembles, including assignments, positions, personnel, and equipment. The course will provide a survey of handbell music for 8-12 handbells from various publishers and composers, helping you select the best pieces for your group. Additionally, we’ll cover practical tips for playing “on-the-go,” so you can adapt your performances to different settings and circumstances. Join us to gain a foundation in managing and performing with small handbell ensembles.
Event Budgeting – How to Build, Track, and Report
Linda Onorevole
An event budget does more than track revenue and expenses. A good budget can help with overall event planning, mitigate risk, and provide a framework for clear reporting. During this session, we will review budget examples for events of various sizes, learn about best practices, and discuss questions from participants.
Finale for Handbells (a 4-part class)
Jason Krug
The Finale music notation software is incredibly flexible and powerful … and fiendishly difficult to master. Whether a complete novice or seasoned veteran, there’s something for every user of Finale in this four-class track. Class 1 focuses on entering notes, expressions, and articulations. Class 2 focuses on using Finale specifically to write for handbells. Class 3 deals with page layout and making the final product look its best. Class 4 will be a question-and-answer session, as well as a look at how Finale users can transfer their skills most effectively to Dorico.
Let’s Get Together! How to Plan a Small Handbell Festival
Susan Oxley
Handbell festivals come in all shapes and sizes. They bring people together and can be an uplifting experience for ringers and directors, but sometimes traveling with your entire choir can be prohibitive. Perhaps a smaller, more local event could be the answer. Have you been thinking of hosting your own small handbell festival, but don’t know where to start? What is most important to plan first – the conductor? Location? Date? How will I get people there? This class will be full of advice and tips on how to begin, what to prioritize, how to budget, steps along the way, different types of events, etc. With the right knowledge and tools, anyone can plan a successful handbell event!
Practicing Handbells at Home (with or without Bells)
Ron Mallory
You’ve just finished rehearsing with your handbell group… and it will be another full week before you can touch the instrument again, so there’s no way to practice on your own. It doesn’t have to be this way! There are many ways handbell musicians can practice at home, even if you don’t have your own personal set of bells. This class will be taught from the perspective of both the ringer (tools you can use to practice at home) and the director (resources you can give your ringers to practice from home).
Sponsorships & Fundraising – Where to Begin
Linda Onorevole
This session will focus on ways to support events and activities beyond tickets sales and registration fees. We will review a variety of sponsorship options, and talk about other potential contributed revenue, including grants, corporate support, etc.
Playing with Passion and Excellence: Sustaining a Church Handbell Program
Toni Gambini
Can a church handbell choir play with passionate phrasing and musical sensitivity? Of course they can! It begins with a vision and commitment from the Director and is fueled by a supportive congregation and church leadership. Every choir, at any level and ability can be led to present music that is both inspiring and uplifting to its congregation and community. If the Director keeps the end in mind, they can lead a group to play with passion and excellence.
Crafting a Concert
Stevie Berryman
Learn how to plan a concert from concept to curtain call. Walk the steps to create an executable concert plan for your specific ensemble, covering topics including theme development, repertoire selection, venue options, and marketing timeline.
An Effective Rehearsal: Before, During, and After
Joe Galyon
Hectic schedules and busy lives impact everyone. As musicians, we strive to carve out time to improve our practice and performance. An Effective Rehearsal: Before, During, and After explores responsibilities of both conductor and ringer that propel efficient and effective preparation by individuals and ensembles. Intentional cognitive processes and self-discipline deliver successful results in shaping performance consistency. This class presents points for discussion that include repertoire considerations, score study, rehearsal behaviors, and physical/musical retention.
Dream Weaving: Wend Your Way Through Without Getting Warped
Michèle Sharik
In this hands-on class, you’ll master the “weave” technique of playing three bells, four bells, and more. Find out how weaving can help you wend your way through difficult musical passages without getting warped!
Starting and Maintaining a High School or Middle School Handbell Choir
Corbin Rasmussen
This course is designed to assist those looking for resources on how to best start a high school or middle school handbell choir either in a public school or private institution. We will discuss ways to raise the funds needed to start a handbell ensemble and also explore the many resources available through Handbell Musicians of America to support your new or growing ensemble. We will also discuss ways to recruit ringers, keep those involved invested and engaged, and how to create an environment of respect, rapport, and fun.
You’re Working with Challenging People? Let’s Strategize!
Sandy Mullaney
Face it – we all have some challenging people in our choirs. The constant talker… the interrupter… the know-it-all…the always late… the prima donna…the whiner…the negativity spreader… those with physical and mental health issues…and more. Let’s look at characteristics of the challenging folks in our groups, dig deeper into the obstacles they bring, and discuss strategies for working with them successfully and with less stress. The class format will be part webinar and part roundtable discussion. Come ready to listen, collaborate, and share.
Score Study for the Handbell Director/Musician
Kim Strepka
Score Study for the Handbell Director/Musician addresses a wide variety of score study skills that create a deeper understanding of the possible ringing challenges within a piece of music. Excerpts from multiple handbell pieces are used to discuss ringer challenges, musical movement, preparing asymmetric rhythms, and musical styles. The class will participate in an analysis of Jason Krug’s “Sussex Carol” (MGIG8743), and an example of rehearsal notes created through score prep will be provided.
Handbells in Worship: From Anthem to Zimbelstern
Stephanie Rhoades
Most worship planners expect handbells to only play during the prelude or offertory. While there is nothing wrong with playing a piece in those slots, there are many more ways to incorporate handbells into worship. During this class session, we will explore ways to add bells throughout the service. Participants are invited to share their experiences as well.
Marketing Your Handbell Ensemble
Angie Chiatello
Doing amazing things but having trouble getting the word out? Learn strategies for building your audience, crafting your message, and engaging your audience
First Look: Strategies for Sight-Reading Success
Stevie Berryman
First contact with new music doesn’t have to be a minefield. In this class, ringers will learn multiple strategies for sight-reading music, and directors will learn strategies for introducing new music in a way that sets their choir up for success. Anyone can learn strategies for successful sight-reading
Bells and Chimes and Kids…OH MY!
Marilyn Lake
So…you want to work with kids in your church or school or community, but where are the resources? How do I know if I’m teaching them correctly? What if I don’t know the answers to all their questions? What if I’m not a good enough teacher? All of these concerns can be overwhelming, but in fact, all the answers can be found in classes like these as well as on the HMA website and from seasoned (read retired!) music educators like me. Let’s speak for an hour, discussing options for acquiring chimes, writing grants, picking out music, suggesting warm-ups, and even learning a quick processional.