This year's conference theme is 2010: A New Handbell Odyssey, and in keeping with the theme, the conference choir has been given the moniker of the Odyssey Ensemble. Ringers in this ensemble should be advanced ringers with good command of handbell technique, experience ringing complex and difficult literature, and possess the ability to play the instrument with a significant level of musical expression. This year, a select group will spend a day rehearsing up to six pieces of music under the direction of Dr. William Payn and will perform for the Friday evening concert. The first rehearsal starts at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 17, and participants will be expected to attend all rehearsals on Thursday and possibly Friday (may require some participation in the Performance Track) and participate in the concert on Friday evening.
Auditions are required for the Odyssey Ensemble, and only those individuals ranked with the highest scores by an independent adjudication panel and selected by Dr. Payn will be involved in this track. Ringers wishing to participate in this group should go ahead and register for the rest of the conference, but do NOT register for the Odyssey Ensemble. You will be instructed how to sign up for the Odyssey Ensemble Track once you have been notified of your successful completion of the audition process.
To complete the audition, interested ringers should:
1. Send a letter of interest that gives the following information:
- How many years you have been ringing
- What position(s) you have played (please list the actual bells and octaves)
- What position(s) you prefer to play (give at least three positions in order of preference)
- List all handbell techniques at which you are skilled
- List any other musical instruments or vocals at which you are skilled
- List any other musical experience you have
- List all handbell groups with which you have played on a regular basis (six months or longer)
- List all handbell choirs you have directed, if any
- List all non-handbell musical ensembles you have directed or taught, if any
2. Send a video (DVD) of yourself playing handbells for:
- At least five minutes during a rehearsal
- A 3-4 minute performance piece (in its entirety). This can be either during a church service or a concert setting.
Notes: The camera should be trained on you as much as possible.
The piece (or your part) should be of a fairly high difficulty level or demonstrate
significant musical expression.
3. Submit two letters of reference:
- One from a director who has observed you both in rehearsal and performance settings
- One from a ringer who has observed you both in rehearsal and performance settings
Deadline for submission of audition materials for consideration is March 1, 2010. All materials should be mailed to:
P.L. Grove
AGEHR Area XII Chair
5665 Leona Street
Oakland, CA 94605
Auditionees will be adjudicated by an impartial panel outside of Area XII and then ratified by the Odyssey Ensemble director and the Area XII Board. Ringers will be notified of the final selection by April 1, 2010 and will be given the list of repertoire to prepare in advance of the conference. If selected for the Odyssey Ensemble track, you will be registered in the track and will need to pay the additional track fee of $75.
Please contact P.L. Grove, Area XII Chair via e-mail (chair@areaxii.org) or phone (510.336.9418), if you have questions or have any concerns about your ability to provide the above materials.
