Handbells

Ask us anything! A guided question and answer session covering as many of your burning handbell questions as time allows.

In this class, you’ll learn the three most useful methods of ringing two bells in each hand (known as “Four-in-Hand” or “4iH”), how to decide which to use when, and how to do them safely and musically. If time allows, we will also learn some dexterity drills to practice what you learn and hone your skills.

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. Learn ergonomic techniques to help you not only “survive” those long rehearsals, concerts, and day-long ringing festivals, but also do so without pain or soreness. Ringers will be introduced to the concept of “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.

This open Q & A session allows the participants to tap the combined 80+ years of handbell ringing and handbell leadership by these two presenters.

How do you make the most of the precious rehearsal minutes you have with your handbell group? We’ll discuss thorough planning before the rehearsal, efficient execution of the plan with strong leadership during the rehearsal, and analysis after the rehearsal. We will also discuss how to approach problem solving for some of the more difficult passages using Level 1-3 music.

More and more churches are switching to contemporary worship styles, and there’s no reason handbell musicians can’t participate. Come explore…

Learn methods of creating your own arrangements and original compositions for advanced handbell choirs, from hymn settings to processionals and beyond.

Good technique provides a foundation for good musicianship. We’ll explore advanced techniques for both handbell ringers and conductors, and along the …

This session will focus on the skills required to perform music that is more challenging. This will…

WYSIWYG is an acronym for “What you see is what you get.” David Davidson said that audiences and congregations often hear what they see. This hands on class examines the visual impact of…

Ringing handbells while moving in a processional can be a wonderful visual and musical experience. Many groups move with little regard to what is happening in the music with…

Whether you are a ringer or a director, everyone can benefit by finding new ways to improve their musicianship. Using ideas from Kim Strepka’s book “Handbell Artistry from…

Many ringers and directors spend too much time trying to decipher notation. Instead, as author Stanley Schleuter suggests, they need to be developing rhythmic feeling…

Go behind the scenes to observe a strategy that begins with score study and ends with the ringers’ ability to make music that becomes worship.

Handbells continue to evolve as an instrument of worship. While this session will “start at the very beginning”, up to date tips…

Bells Outside the Box shares creative ways to use your bells in conjunction with magazines, empty paper towel rolls…seriously?

Critical listening represents an area of essential skills that directors and ringers navigate together in order to become a stronger team.

This session will explore a number techniques for handbell players and how they can improve playing levels.

This session will address the opportunities for handbells outside of preludes. Bill will explore creative ideas for incorporating handbells in worship.

Do you have a brand new handbell choir? Has your choir reached a plateau and can’t seem to get better? Or maybe you …

Learn the various ways to assign 3, 4 and 5 octaves of handbells involving various numbers of ringers. We will also discuss strategies for placing ringers in certain positions…

Do you have a specific plan for rehearsals or do you shoot from the hip? We will discuss ways to plan out the rehearsal using score study techniques. We will also…

This class explores various multiple bell techniques – how to play them and how to teach them successfully.