Spring Ring 2006 - Classes

Assigning Bell Parts Made Easy, or Easier – PL Grove 11 a.m. Rm. 3171
PL has been involved with complex bell assignments for years, first as a founding ringer with the critically acclaimed Sonos Handbell Ensemble, and now as Artistic Director for Velocity. Her ability to assign 5 octaves to an ensemble of five or six is incredible. Assigning for 11 to 14 ringers should be easy. See how she solves those dilemmas! Bring your most challenging assignments and she will help!

Basics Revisited (Your 100,000 Measure Tune Up!) – Michele Sharik 11:00 a.m. Rm. 600. (Use bells in massed ringing area)
Learn how to ring with dynamics, expression and control. This workshop covers all aspects of developing an ergonomically correct ringing stroke that produces a musically satisfying sound. NOT JUST FOR BEGINNERS.- this class will benefit ringers of all levels and abilities!

Bass Bells Made Easy (Part One) - Doug Benton 11 a.m. Rm. 3140 (Bring bass bells from the tables)
Doug is considered a master of bass bells, always current, and always the guru of technique, down to the 1’s. Bring several of your heaviest bells and learn some of the tricks from the Bay View Captain.

Bass Bells Made Easy (Part Two) - Doug Benton 2:50 p.m. Rm. 3140 ( Bring bass bells from the tables)
Part Two will continue from part one and is more advanced.

Call Change Ringing – David Ruder 11 a.m. Rm. 3180 (Bring one octave scale of bells from the table for every 4 people, i.e. C5 to C6)
Teams of 4 do call change ringing, and you can do it next Sunday for worship or at your next concert! If four individuals are from the same bell ensemble they should bring a full octave, bells or chimes. Single ringers are welcome as well to join other ringers and ad-lib a team. Learn the English change patterns, or learn the rules that will allow you to make up your own!

Composing and arranging – Kathleen Mackie 11 a.m. Rm. 3191
“Help! We’ve used up our budget and we don‘t have a thing to ring!” This class is an exploration in the techniques and practical applications of arranging and composing for handbells in a pinch. You will get even more from this class if you bring something you’ve written (even incomplete) for feedback. This class will compliment the Finale class by demonstrating arranging techniques through Finale. Kathie is the Area XII composition contest winner!

Ensembles That Amaze – PL Grove 2:50 p.m. Rm. 3180
PL has rung solo, duets, trios, quartets—you name it, she has done it. She has even been involved with small ensembles that integrate other instruments. Has your bell group shrunk. Thinking about playing more bells with fewer people like four, five six or seven? Need to play more bells with fewer people? Here’s how to get started! Bring bells.

Essential Skills for Soloists (or Small Ensembles) – Michelle Sharik. 2:50 p.m. Rm. 410
Learn how to easily ring up to 40 or 50 bells (or more!) – all by yourself! It’s easy! This class includes a special section on how to recover from some common mistakes.

Finale (Part One) - Larry Sue 11:00 a.m. Rm. 420
Larry Sue has been involved with music software and handbell composing since it began. As a professional programmer he has made suggestions for its improving through the years. Part One and Part Two of this class will allow you to see whether arranging and composing on your computer is right for you. He will have loads of tips and shortcuts to help you navigate from a simple level or using this software to more advanced ideas. You can’t miss learning something. Laptops with Finale loaded are welcome but not required.).

Finale (Part Two) - Larry Sue 2:50 pm. Rm. 420
Part Two will continue from Part One. If you like, you can surf to www.finalemusic.com before the Spring Ring and download and install a demo copy of Finale onto ones computer. It is free, though after a month it’ll automatically disable save and print functionality.

Musicality and Reading – Kathleen Mackie 2:50 p.m. Rm. 3191
Kathie, a wonderful arranger and composer, will help both director and ringer look at a piece of music for its basic form, give suggestions for bringing out the best in preparing and performing a bell work, and ideas for final performance. She will use some of the Spring Ring music for examples. She will be happy to take a quick look at music you are preparing for your group.

Intense Ringing – Doug Benton (Friday, April 18, 7 to 10 p.m. and Sat. 9 to 10:30 a.m. Rm. 410 (Valley Ringer and Bay Bells sets.)
This workshop requires a special fee ($25) and advanced, approved registration. The registrants will ring at least one piece at the final concert Saturday evening. Spring Ring registrants may OBSERVE ONLY for no extra fee on Friday evening or Saturday morning. This class is for more advanced ringaholics!

Reading of New Handbell Music – Easier Handbell Music - Cindy Krausgrill 11:00 a.m. Rm. 410 (Valley Ringer and Bay Bells sets.)
(Reading of New Handbell Music – Medium Handbell Music – Cindy Krausgrill 2:50 p.m. Rm. 600 (Mass Ringing bells.
Two different handbell reading sessions will be offered, sponsored by the Handbell Mart, and led by Canto Bello’s energetic director. One session will offer easier music.
Ringers needed; bell provided.