Track Descriptions
DAILY TRACK SCHEDULE
8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Group Session 1 (All Track Participants)
9:40 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. Breakout Session 1 (Participants Breakout into Thirds)
10:50 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. Breakout Session 2 (Participants Breakout into Thirds)
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Group Session 2 (All Track Participants)
2:10 p.m. - 3:10 p.m. Breakout Session 3 (Participants Breakout into Thirds)
3:20 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Group Session 3 (All Track Participants)
There will be a daily recital at 4:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Note: All group sessions, as well as one of the breakout sessions, will be led by the Track Clinician. Two of the breakout sessions will be led by experts on those specific topics.
THURSDAY TRACK
ODYSSEY ENSEMBLE with Dr. William A. Payn
Ringers wishing to participate in the Odyssey Ensemble should register for the rest of the conference, but should NOT register for the Odyssey Ensemble track until you have received a formal acceptance.
The audition process consists of submission of a letter outlining your experience, a DVD of yourself ringing in rehearsal and performance, and two letters of reference. For full information on the Odyseey Ensemble audition process, click here.
NOTE: The deadline for audition submissions for the Odyssey Ensemble was
Monday, March 1, 2010. Auditions for 2010 are now CLOSED.
Monday, March 1, 2010. Auditions for 2010 are now CLOSED.
FRIDAY TRACKS
CHURCH MUSIC with Deborah S. Rice
Group Session Topics
GROUP SESSION 1 - Making Music Worship
As a textless instrument, there are skills directors may use to approach score study not only to insure that rehearsal time is well spent, but more importantly to find and discover the message/sermon in the music. Music becomes worship when ringers are empowered by spiritual insights for all the black dots on the page.
GROUP SESSION 2 - Building Musicality with Amateurs
Amateur church musicians should be challenged to work beyond the notes. Ideas will be shared to teach amateur musicians how to create the best group sound, execute dynamics, highlight melodies and shape musical phrases.
GROUP SESSION 3 - Growing a Church Music Handbell Ministry
Building a handbell ministry as an addition to existing opportunities of a church environment takes time, creativity, staff support and patience. Age groups from young ringers to seniors will be highlighted, as well as the added blessings of intergenerational and multicultural groups. We will look at attendance issues, recruitment, outreach, and motivation ideas. Attendees will be encouraged to share their success stories.
Breakout Session Topics
BREAKOUT SESSION 1 - Handbells in Traditional Worship - Debbie Rice, Clinician
This session will explore creative ways to enhance traditional worship using bells with congregational singing, processionals, scripture, soloists and choral ensemble. All seasons of the church year will be included to feature use of random ringing, tolls, cluster chords, singing bell, transposing bell peal and other special effects.
BREAKOUT SESSION 2 - Handbells in Contemporary Worship - Michèle Sharik, Instructor
This session will focus on creative use of handbells in the contemporary worship setting.
BREAKOUT SESSION 3 - Reading Session and Technique Review - Mary Balkow, Instructor
Through an interactive reading session of church handbell repertoire, participants will be reintroduced to the most common techniques in handbell literature today.
Group Session Topics
GROUP SESSION 1 - Musical Artistry: The Projection of Melody and Precise Vertical Relationship
GROUP SESSION 2 - Interpreting the Score: Articulation, Phrasing and Tone Quality
GROUP SESSION 3 - Stylistic Considerations: Technical Manipulations/Notation Peculiar to Handbell Ringing
Breakout Session Topics
BREAKOUT SESSION 1 - Musicality for Handbells - Dr. William Payn, Clinician
BREAKOUT SESSION 2 - The Elements of Performance - P.L. Grove, Instructor
What is performance? Does the mere act of playing a concert constitute a performance? How do musical concerts differ from other types of performance? How do handbell performances differ from other instrumental concerts? How can I improve my performance? These and other questions will be explored in this class that focuses on the "why" of making music in a concert setting.
BREAKOUT SESSION 3 - Stage Presence - Rebecca Faiola, Instructor
ALL-RING with Michael J. Glasgow
Ringing, ringing and more ringing under the direction of Michael Glasgow. Level 1-3 music. Participants should bring gloves and a music binder if possible.
SATURDAY TRACKS
DIRECTORS with Dr. William A. Payn
Group Session Topics
GROUP SESSION 1 - Conducting
GROUP SESSION 2 - Conducting Handbells
GROUP SESSION 3 - Putting it All Together
Breakout Session Topics
BREAKOUT SESSION 1 - Conducting Practicum - Dr. William Payn, Clinician
BREAKOUT SESSION 2 - Music Selection and Assignment - Kathie Fink, Instructor
Most directors assume the traditional method of assigning should work just fine for 12-17 ringers. But what if you have only 8 ringers for 3 octaves? What if some of your ringers are stronger on rhythm and runs than others? What if you want to ring without tables or across the aisle in church? This session looks at various assignment methods: the Allured method, Hilte method, double bell assignment, the pattern method, the style method, and the exclusivity method for ringing without tables. In addition, the pros and cons of stationary positions versus moving ringers to various parts will be discussed. Samples of handbell music will be distributed and participants will attempt their own "assignment Sudoku." It takes more than simply selecting great music to make great music.
BREAKOUT SESSION 3 - Group Dynamics - Tessique Houston, Instructor
BASICS with Michèle Sharik
Group Session Topics
GROUP SESSION 1 - Basics Revisited: Your 100,000 Measure Tune-Up
Whether you're a brand new beginner or a "veteran ringer," this class will teach (or remind) you what to do before you ever pick up a bell or chime. Participants will learn ergonomic techniques to help you not only "survive" those long rehearsals and day-long ringing festivals, but also do so without pain or soreness. Ringers will be introduced to the "Three S's": Stance, Seat and Stroke, and will focus on developing a relaxed ringing style to help control the bell, ring dynamically and make beautiful music.
GROUP SESSION 2 - Introduction to Theory
Intervals, scales and chords - oh my! In this session, particpants will learn the building blocks and nuts 'n' bolts that make music "tick." Attention will be given to simple chords and scales, "non-harmonic tones," why composers use all those parentheses and brackets, and what is up with those F flats and B sharps! Ringers will learn how to apply this knowledge to maximize musicality when ringing.
GROUP SESSION 3 - Articulations Galore
What DO all those markings mean? This session will take a close look at all the different dots and squiggles composers use to indicate different sounds, the differences between them, and how to play them safely (for both the bell and the ringer).
Breakout Session Topics
BREAKOUT SESSION 1 - Four-in-Hand: Use 'Em or Lose 'Em - Michèle Sharik, Clinician
Participants in this hands on introductory session will learn the two most common methods of four-in-hand currently used in the United States (did you know there are six methods?), how to decide which to use when, and how to do them safely and musically.
BREAKOUT SESSION 2 - Dream Weaving - Jason Tiller, Instructor
Participants in this session will master the multiple bell "weave" technique with three bells, four bells and more. Ringers will focus on tricky passages in music with an eye to how weaving can help you wend your way through them without getting warped!
BREAKOUT SESSION 3 - Those Beastly Bigger Bells - Tom Parsons, Instructor
Don't let those big bells intimidate you! Using brain rather than brawn, with physics on their side, ringers can go beyond simply "heave ho!" and learn techniques for ringing large bells and chimes safely and musically (no matter the size of the ringer!). Note: this session is not just about giant "bass" bells, but "big" bells relative to the size and experience of the ringer.
TOOL OF THE TRADE with Michael J. Glasgow
Group Session Topics
GROUP SESSION 1 - Conducting Bells or Taking Flight (What is My Director Doing?)
GROUP SESSION 2 - Past the Parentheses and Beyond the Brackets
This lecture style session is designed to show the music theory behind why some groups omit certain notes. Why are octave leaps okay, but 7ths seem weird? Why can't I play my D4 in that chord? (Bass line continuity, anyone?) Why is there suddenly didactic harmony on one note in the line - there isn't! Why do the treble bells 8va only the top note - why have all that "air" in there - is the harmony chopped liver? Participants will learn the answers to why, why, why as they learn the tools to understanding the whole score.
GROUP SESSION 3 - It's New, It's Crazy, I Love It! What Is It?
This session will showcase novel and emerging techniques for handbells. Think bells on aluminum foil - or paperclips! And there's always the ever-popular singing bell (although it could probably be considered a tried and true standard these days).
Breakout Session Topics
BREAKOUT SESSION 1 - Rhythm is Gonna Get You - Michael Glasgow, Clinician
This session is designed to hone ringers' skills at a fast pace and an intense level. Rhythm games, drill sessions, corporate and individual sightreading and rhythmic dictation will all assist ringers in improving rhythm skills in a fun way. Participants should be prepared to try anything and have fun!
BREAKOUT SESSION 2 - Know the Score: Notation and Tips for Ringers - Mary Balkow, Instructor
BREAKOUT SESSION 3 - Everything but the Kitchen Sink - P.L. Grove, Instructor
ALL-RING with Deborah S. Rice
Ringing, ringing and more ringing under the direction of Debbie Rice. Level 2-4 music. Participants should bring gloves and a music binder if possible.
SUNDAY TRACK
MASS ATTACK with Dr. William A. Payn, Deborah S. Rice and Michael J. Glasgow
Handbell ensembles/choirs should prepare the repertoire listed below prior to arrival at the conference and should provide their own music (copied music is not allowed), binders, gloves, bells and foam. Tables will be provided. Individual ringers who wish to participate but are not attending with a group may either bring their own bells and foam, or will be assigned a ringing position prior to the conference.
Music Selections
Please prepare the following music for the Mass Attack track well in advance of the conference!
- Ave Maria, Biebl arr. Moklebust, Chorister’s Guild B309
- Jesus Loves Me, arr. Glasgow, Red River BL5055
- Light of Peace, Bigham/Hakes, From the Top 20178
- Prisms, Payn, Peal Publishing PPC-HB010
- Renewed Spirit, Mazzatenta, AGEHR 35292*
- Rondo Rustico, D. Ann Wood, From the Top 20209
*AGEHR Area XII Composition Contest Winner
Note: The final concert on Sunday will include a special
farewell performance by the Marching Handbell Choir.
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