Central California eNewsletter
Regional Coordinator
Shirley Werner

Dear Handbell Friends:

Well, I don’t know about you, but right now my life is in the ‘feast’ stage.  There’s so much going on and I’ve taken on a couple other projects and with trying to get away for a couple weeks, life is busy, busy.  Course, I’m getting older, so maybe it’s just taking me longer to accomplish everything.

First off, the Central Coast Spring Ring was a huge success.  We had 99 ringers, representing 13 churches on the Central Coast.  William Kyle was our clinician and everyone really liked his style, his humor and his overall personality.  The feedback sheets were most favorable.  In all aspects, it was a successful day.

Concordia Irvine’s Handbell Concert Choir and Spirit Bells have been on a Western Mountains Tour.  Their first stop was in Visalia and I, along with another director and friend, traveled to Visalia and really enjoyed this concert.  The fact that one of the ringers in Spirit Bells is a local girl, the daughter of my director friend, didn’t play a part in why we drove to Visalia.  I wish we could have traveled with them to all their destinations. 

The Spirit Bells is under the direction of Nancy Jessup.  Their ringing is precise.  These thirteen ringers move and ring as one unit.  One really fun number that was entertaining and encouraged audience participation was, “Under the Sea” by Kevin McChesney.  “Nemo” asked children to come help blow bubbles throughout the church.  These kids really were having a great time.

Concert Bells, under the direction of Dr. Herbert Geisler, rang a variety of music.  The highlight was their final selection, “Valse des Fleus” from The Nutcracker.  Folks, this is a Level 6 arrangement and it was flawless.  If you closed your eyes, you would hear the bells sounding like a full orchestra, including a harp.  This was so beautiful; you had Goosebumps when they were finished.

Sixteen members of the audience with no handbell experience, age 9-99, were
invited to "try their hand" at ringing, guided by the Concordia ringers. In less
than 10 minutes, they accompanied the audience singing "'Tallis' Canon."  The expression on their faces, at what they were able to accomplish is such a short time was priceless!

My friends in Redding were able to attend the concert there, and quickly contacted me afterward to tell me how much they enjoyed their evening, with such talented young people making beautiful music.

Of course, the local director and her friend did travel to the final concert in Livermore and, again, said it was ‘awesome’. 

Next on my agenda, following a 10 day fishing trip to Lake Wishon, I and another local ringer/director will attend Ringer’s Feast in Pomona.  We’re both looking forward to learning more and experience ringing under the direction of Monica McGowan.  We already have the music and two of the six pieces will really be a challenge for me.  The music moves so fast, my eyes just don’t follow that quick, so we’ll see how all this turns out.  In the big picture, it will be a great learning experience and one always needs a challenge.

Come July 29^th, I leave to attend the Handbell Conference at Zephyr Cove, NV.  This will be the fourth conference I’ve attended and I really enjoy them all.  The weather is always accommodating and who can resist gazing out at beautiful Lake Tahoe.

Choirs are winding down for the summer, but do check out The Twelfth Tone for a complete schedule of what’s happening and where and also check the Area XII Website.

Hope all of you have a great summer.  I’m sure many will be attending bell venues wherever and will be ready to get going again in the Fall.

Happy Ringing

Shirley

OPUS IS GOING TO ENGLAND!

Opus will be joining the Trinity United Presbyterian Church,  Koinonia Choir for a two week tour of England in June 2008!

They have been invited to ring at the International Church Choral Festival in Coventry, England and will represent the United States on their international evening of concerts.

Much is still in the discussion state, but the second week, Opus will tour with and accompany the Koinonia Choir in Oxford, York and Cheltenham.

They have many questions and hurdles to clear and would appreciate any and all suggestions, experiences and ideas regarding such a journey.  They would like fund raising ideas, information about shipping all the bell equipment, any all information down to the little things.

Many of you out there in Handbell Land have traveled to Europe and I’m sure you could contact Lisa and answer their questions and concerns.  Perhaps you have much of this information documented.

If you can help Opus with such information, contact Lisa Traughber, lisabell@tupc.org. 

Remember to let me know when you have an event coming up so I can help publicize it for you through this newsletter, The Twelfth Tone and the Website.