Musicianship
A Fresh Approach to Rhythmic Integrity
A good handbell ensemble becomes a great handbell ensemble when the intangibles of music start to come alive. The most fundamental element in a superior handbell performance is having great rhythm. This class will offer a fresh approach to learning and understanding rhythm and musical performances of challenging rhythms.
Instructor: Greig Ashurst
On Being A Creative Artist and the Composer’s Advocate
This Masterclass is about helping musicians and audiences connect to a composer’s work. This class will explore ways for conductors to help players and audiences experience the aesthetic content of a musical work through a better vocabulary of gesture and conducting technique.
Instructor: Greig Ashurst
Audition Skills for Ringers
Are you eager to join a community or college group? Auditions can be new and scary territory for ringers. We’ll step through the entire process from signing up to dealing with the results.
Instructor: Sharon Schmidt
S. Greig Ashurst has over 20 years of teaching in both public and private schools and universities in Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas. Mr. Ashurst is the director of bands and a technology administrator at Cathedral-Carmel School in Lafayette, Louisiana. Previously, he taught instrumental and choral music and was selected the 2008-2009 “Teacher of the Year” at North Vermilion High School in Maurice, Louisiana. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Louisiana – Lafayette and a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He is an active music educator, writer, percussionist, conductor, and clinician in local, state, and national music organizations. In addition, Mr. Ashurst is the director of instrumental and youth music at Asbury United Methodist Church in Lafayette, Louisiana. Mr. Ashurst maintains a very industrious schedule as a guest conductor, clinician, and consultant throughout the United States.
Sharon Schmidt is a charter member of The Agape Ringers, an auditioned community handbell ensemble from the Chicago area. She directs two adult handbell ensembles at Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, Illinois, has served on the Illinois State Committee for Handbell Musicians of America since 1994, and was chair for eleven Distinctly Bronze events. Sharon is currently treasurer for Area