Saint Thomas More Handbell Choir

Characteristics of a Good Ringer  Attitude o A positive, willing attitude will make you a contributing member of our handbell choir.  Willingness to Learn o Regardless of prior music experience, all ringers must begin with the basics of bell ringing and work together to form our ensemble.  Commitment o Ringers must be willing to attend all rehearsals. Each ringer is a part of the instrument—imagine playing a piano with keys missing and you will understand how difficult it can be to rehearse without every member present.  Empathy o Everyone makes mistakes as a natural part of learning a new skill. o We need to be supportive of one another.  Physical Coordination o Ringing handbells requires basic eye-hand coordination and a strong sense of the beat. This will improve with time and practice.  Musical Ability o An important criterion, but this is a skill that can be learned if you have all the other characteristics!

Schedule and Attendance  Rehearsals are scheduled on most Tuesdays in the church from 6:00-7:45 pm.  Ringers will set-up and take down tables/bells, etc.  Attendance of all ringers is VERY important and a sense of commitment and loyalty to the choir is essential for the success of the group.  Substitutes—if you cannot attend a rehearsal or Mass, it is your responsibility to obtain a substitute from the list and inform me in advance. Substitutes should be at two practices prior to the scheduled liturgy they will play for.

Attire for Mass  In general, we will wear black dress pants/skirt with a white top when playing for Mass. We may change shirt color or add colors for special liturgies (ex. red for Confirmation, etc.)

Resources  Handbellworld.com  Handbell Musicians of America (handbellmusicians.org)

My contact info  Jeanne Anne Aukofer  [email protected] or 847.888.1682 Prayer for Handbell Ringers

O God of splendid surprises, we never imagined that we would be so captivated by bells. Yet now we anticipate with eager delight their shining presence, their weight resting in our hands as we grasp their sturdy handles.

We marvel that with a simple wing of the arm and a snap of the wrist our bells come alive— each with its own pure tone to be made soft or loud, damped by table or thumb, swung and swirled in the air.

We treasure these miraculous moments when eye and ear, arm and wrist, brain and bell connect. Then with breathless beauty, the syllables of our wordless prayer float from our bells and fill the silent space with your ineffable presence and peace.

O God, with you all things are possible. With great faith we pray that you transform us from individual ringers into a bell choir so attuned to you and the notes before us that miraculous moments become common, and all of our music become a splendid surprise for your people.

“Ringing True,” Prayers for Handbell Ringers by Linda Stahelin, World Library Publications.