The Bell-O-Gram Area III of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers

Delaware Maryland Metropolitan Washington, D.C. North Carolina Virginia Volume 31 May 2006 Number 3

METANOIA by Bob Wheeler Metanoia, the handbell choir at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women in Troy, Virginia, is now in its fourth year of making beautiful music. Although the performances are all within the walls of the facility, Metanoia (the Greek word for “change”), a name the women chose for themselves, plays for occasional Sunday evening worship services, the annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet, and semi-annual graduation ceremonies, as well as doing two 45-minute concerts each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. FCCW is a maximum-security prison for 1200 women. When I as Associate Pastor and Minister of Music at Broadus Memorial Baptist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, took my choir and handbell group to the prison for a worship service in 2001, I never dreamed it would lead to a handbell ministry there. The women went wild over the bells. Most of them had never heard or seen handbells. With encouragement from my wife and Chaplain Lynn Litchfield, I decided to try starting a group. I took the volunteer orientation, obtained my security clearance, and met my first volunteers in January 2003.

I had no idea what to expect when the first session was called. I was not nervous or uncomfortable about being inside a prison because I had taken choirs to perform in prisons for many years. However, I was apprehensive about the abilities and attitudes of the inmates. As it turned out, half of the women who came to audition knew nothing about music, while the other half had some experience on violin, flute, or piano during their high school years. It quickly became obvious that they were there to learn and were taking the opportunity seriously. I spent the first three months teaching more music theory than bell techniques. Even more impressive was the way some who knew how to read music worked individually with those who were learning during the week. Some of the women took their music to their cell each week and practiced ringing with pencils or plastic spoons. And they all pitched in and quickly learned to break down the equipment in less than five minutes in order to rehearse as long as possible. The ladies wanted to know how to address me. When I told them the children at the church called me “Mr. Bob,” it immediately became my name to both inmates and guards, not only in Metanoia but throughout the prison. And my wife, Edie, is now “Mrs. Bob,” while my 90-year- old mother who came to a recent concert is “Grandma Bob.” For six months I carried three octaves of bells and all other equipment except tables from the church to the prison every Thursday evening. Each bell case had to be inspected each week. The equipment was transferred from my pickup to the prison pickup since the rehearsal area is about a quarter mile from the main entrance. Fortunately I live about ten minutes from the prison because more than once the bell cases and pads were exposed to rain and snow and had to be dried out when I got to the house. After six months it became evident that bells had caught on at the prison and would be an ongoing ministry through the chaplain’s office. Members of my church, family and friends contributed funds to purchase three octaves of Malmark bells, three octaves of Malmark chimes, and all the other equipment needed. Metanoia even has tie-dyed burgundy performance gloves from the Raleigh Ringers to match their prison outfits. Once we got our own bells, two of the women got permission to set up during the afternoon, once again to save rehearsal time in the evening. It was amazing to see the women bond as a group. They never criticize one another, yet often lend a word of encouragement or praise. They have learned to work as members of a team, depending on one another rather than relying only on themselves. They have grown in self confidence, realizing they can learn a new skill and do it well. They have found a new way to express their worship, thanking God for this unexpected opportunity. As one lady puts it, “when I am playing bells I forget I am in prison.” The bells have brought a flood of beauty into the sterile environment of the prison. Since early 2005 the ladies of Metanoia have been playing level 3 music. They have taken on the status of celebrities at the prison. But more importantly, they have grown intellectually, socially, and spiritually, as well as musically. One of the highlights of 2005 was a level-3 piece of their own titled Metanoia. Philip Roberts at GIA Publications decided to compose and donate the piece dedicated to Metanoia after meeting me at a national music conference and learning about this musical ministry during the summer of 2004. The piece is in a rondo form with themes representing “change,” “repentance,” and “transformation.” Appropriately, the main theme involves Change Ringing. This is a meaningful piece as it symbolizes the changes that have taken place in many lives at the prison. Mr. Roberts and his wife traveled from Chicago to Virginia for the premier of this work last October. It is to be published soon by GIA. The ministry continues to expand. In late 2003 my wife and another bell ringer from the church, Louise Marchi, became official volunteers at the prison and come to the weekly rehearsals where they spend time bonding with the women who are not playing on a particular piece. And one more friend is waiting for her security clearance so she can join this nurturing group. I retired from the church on December 31, 2005, and started a second bell choir at the prison in January of this year. They rehearse in the afternoon so we only have one setup each week. Both groups performed in the Spring Concert in April. God is opening many doors and plans are underway to expand the general music ministry at FCCW in the months and years ahead.

A TAPESTRY OF COMFORT

Handbells—the simple act of picking up each bell, flicking my wrist and hearing its sweet ring—is to step out of my shackles for an all too brief moment. Passion, strength, beauty, love and peace sing out in every note as they weave together to form my tapestry of comfort. Though I coin myself “the happiest person in prison,” there is much unspoken pain, loneliness, and depression behind those words. Handbells lift those unspoken ghosts and allow me to truly be happy, to truly be free. No matter what chaos, disorder, or hurt my daily life revolves in, I know that once a week on Thursday night I will leave this place for three hours and reach a place other women here only dream of. Words cannot express how grateful I am to have had such an amazing experience, or how devastated I have been without it.

Let me tell you the story behind a piece I wrote….. by Philip L. Roberts

Several miles east of Charlottesville, Virginia on U.S. Highway 250 is Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, a maximum-security prison where about 1200 inmates are incarcerated. It is also home to the only women’s prison handbell ensemble in the United States. They call themselves Metanoia which in New Testament Greek means to change, repent and be transformed. The members of this unique ensemble believe that metanoia reflects how ringing handbells has altered their lives. One member of the group writes periodic articles in the local paper. The following is an excerpt from one article…

The eleven women of Metanoia play the bells with a certain awe. How frivolous, how ridiculous, how marvelous and amazing to be in prison and be afforded the rare privilege to make music together! For every worship service that Metanoia plays, the women invite other inmates—friends, acquaintances, strangers, coworkers—to attend. The bells erode barriers. They draw people to worship. The generate merriment and laugher and praise. They create an atmosphere of thanksgiving. Moreover, since many people in prison don’t often have the opportunity to laugh out of delight or have much for which they are grateful, Metanoia is an agent of change with the prison community. Most of all, the bells teach life lessons for the members of the ensemble—lessons in patience and diligence, in working together, in self-worth and value and the importance of every person. The fruit of Metanoia is evident when one woman whispers to another, “I think I might get my GED. If I can do this, surely I can get that math.”

I met “Mr. Bob,” as the ringers call him, a couple of years ago in Alexandria, Virginia at a Baptist Music Conference. He was looking for some unique two and three octave music for his “girls.” For some reason I thought that he must be talking about his daughters, but after a few minutes I realized that he directed a handbell choir in a maximum security prison! I was amazed and kept in contact with Mr. Wheeler. One thing led to another until Sept. 25, 2005, when my wife and I had the honor of attending a worship service at Fluvanna Correctional Center. We were there to hear the ensemble perform Metanoia, a piece I wrote for them. Metanoia has three themes. Change is a derivative of change ringing which began in 17th century England and is the parent of our present day art of handbell ringing. The concept called Plain Hunt is used for this section. The basic series of rings, called a course consists of six bells. The four interior bells execute the “hunt.” The first bell, treble, and the last bell, tenor, act as drones; that is they are the first and last notes of each course. While a true change ring would only include these bells, I’ve chosen to double the change and add varying degrees of chordal accompaniment. The first rule of change ringing is that no bell may repeat until all of the bells have rung. This requires discipline, patience, and confidence—traits one needs for making major changes in one’s life. Repentance represents our regret at what we’ve done or failed to do. It explores our desire for perfection but recognizes we aren’t perfect. The bass bells in this section seem to “pull” us somewhere but we’re never quite sure if we’ve completed our journey. In similar fashion, we sometimes worry that our cries of repentance may not be accepted or heard. Genuine change and true repentance ultimately lead to transformation. In my view, both change and repentance are singular acts that do not require the active participation of others. However, transformation happens to us not by us. We find contentment through our transformation hence we are able to withstand the ebb and flow, the heartbreak and joy, life brings us. This section has a solid base on which all of the other music can be supported and flourish. . While Change is the last section, the piece ends with a four measure coda of Transformation which is how we hope to be received by our Maker—transformed from this world to the next.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God— what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

This article is an excerpt. Read Philip Roberts complete article in the Ring Touch section of the Area III website.

Area III Board of Directors

Chair Charm Peterman 113 Melvins End Yorktown, VA 23693 757-766-8658 [email protected]

Chair-Elect Position vacant

Treasurer J. Stanley Schmidt 5 East Melbourne Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20901 301-587-6417 [email protected]

Ken Bissell (2007) 5424 Sequoia Farms Drive Centreville, VA 20120 703-751-2151 [email protected]

Ingrid A. Bowers (2007) 5911 Oakland Park Drive Burke, VA 22015 703-425-5016 [email protected]

Linda Simms (2007) 205 Carnoustie Road Dover, DE 19904 302-677-0187 [email protected]

Edmund F. Tompkins (2009) 4291 Canewood Lane Indian Trail, NC 28079 704-821-8392 [email protected]

Kathleen L. Wissinger (2009) 1050 Cemetery Road McGaheysville, VA 22840 540-289-6973 [email protected]

Appointed Administrative Staff

Delaware Chair* Carol A. Coughenour [email protected]

Maryland Chair* Debbie Henning [email protected]

Metro Washington Chair* Melodie Feather [email protected]

North Carolina Chair* Ellen Moretz [email protected]

Virginia Chair* Ned Davis [email protected]

CHIME Loan Program Elaine Myers [email protected]

Events Coordinator Frances S. Vaughan [email protected]

Guild Store Manager Susan Butler [email protected]

Historian Missy Cernigliaro [email protected]

IT Handbell Resource Position vacant

Membership Linda Simms [email protected]

Recording Secretary Lynn Bogovich [email protected]

Scholarship Committee Chair Ed Tompkins [email protected]

Spring Festival Conference Registrar Bettsy Wermine [email protected]

Video Librarian C. Milton Rodgers [email protected]

* Area III Advisory Council

National website www.agehr.org

Area III website www.areaiii.org

Area III Webmaster Stephen Nash [email protected]

The Bell-O-Gram is published in February, May, September, and November by Area III of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. AGEHR is a non-profit organization whose primary objective is to educate, promote the exchange of ideas relating to handbell and handchime ringing, and sponsor educational activities that are not exclusively competitive. The editor reserves the right to reject or modify copy. Deadline for the September issue is August 1.

Please send articles and news to: Editor: Ingrid Bowers; e-mail: [email protected]

2006 advertising rates per issue: Full page: $99 1/2 page: $69 1/4 page: $49 1/8 page: $29 20% discount for four-issue contract

Moving Right Along…

The resilience and creativity of Area III members continues to be an integral factor in our great success in reaching out and striving for sharing, caring and learning. Earlier this year, Michael Helman announced his early departure from Area III to seize a wonderful job opportunity in Florida. We thank him for his brief, but very effective, leadership for the Area III board, advisory council, and membership. His vision and work towards meeting goals for the future have given us guidance and support through this transition time. Moving into the position of Chair of Area III, I look forward to working with Area III members, furthering our knowledge by continuing to encourage new membership and volunteers, discovering new venues, offering learning experiences, and mentoring others.

During the three 2006 spring festivals, many shared their opinions about future festival repertoire, festivals – sizes and sites, importance of seminars and classroom opportunities, and communication to ringers and non-AGEHR individuals. This information provided us with positive input for planning events and improved communication. The assessment form we are using to gather your ideas and opinions may be downloaded from the Area III website and returned to me.

Area III is composed of creative and talented individual members and ringers who are needed for planning for future events! The spring festival once again demonstrated how vital the volunteer force is – from registration, to faculty /classroom /clinician planning, to borrowing equipment for classes, to doing whatever we could to help make your festival experience a valuable investment of your time.

Please set aside time this fall to attend the Area III Directors’ Seminar. It is being held September 15 & 16 at Centreville UMC in Centreville, Virginia. Dr. Deborah Carr and Dottie Tweedie will be the guest clinicians. Beginning with the pre-seminar Friday afternoon and 5 sessions spread out from Friday night through Saturday afternoon, Deborah Carr will help directors understand how to enable their choirs to “ring to a higher level.” With a Ph.D. in Psychology, she has a variety of recommendations for helping ringers and directors succeed in the task of working with others and learning music – musically! She brings humor and comfort to the challenges many directors face! Several selections from the Area III 2007 Spring Festivals will be used. During some special sessions, Dottie Tweedie will work directly with beginning directors and help them with many of the technical challenges handbell music presents.

As your board strives to serve Area III members, we encourage your input! This summer is earmarked for revising and restructuring Area III Rules of Procedure and the job descriptions to comply with the new by-laws. Please consider sharing your special talents and some time with Area III as we collectively strive for the Vision for the Future!

Charm Peterman Chair, AGEHR Area III

Conducting with the Master By Dave Tiller Three Area III directors, Dave Tiller, Linda Simms, and Charm Peterman, joined ten other directors at the 2006 Conducting Master Class in January. Dave Tiller shares his experiences with us.

We all talk about getting out of the box. Every once in a while, we need to gather our courage, step onto the box, turn on the spotlight, and take that risk. This past January, 13 handbell directors from all corners of the AGEHR chose to venture to Austin College in Sherman, Texas for the AGEHR Master Conducting Seminar in hopes of growing as musicians and conductors. Everyone was skilled, yet each of us accepted that we had something to learn. Not only did we learn from each other’s experiences, but we discovered a truly “masterful” and “supportive” environment. Our fearless leader was AGEHR’s newest Honorary Life Member, Dr. William A. Payn. Karen Leonard, a past national AGEHR chair, coordinated the logistics for the weekend, including bells, equipment, assignments, and snacks. They had obviously done this before as they instantly put us at ease by outlining the schedule and objectives for the weekend. After a few warm-up and stretching exercises, Bill reminded us about our role as a communicator with each member of our choir. I recalled some of this philosophy from his course at Concordia University several years ago, and knew then that we would quickly move beyond the notes. Before long, the baggage of our daily concerns faded and our focus turned to the first victim who stood in front of us, Alanna. Alanna willingly accepted the opening spotlight, only mildly protesting that any information resource manager worth her alphabetizing skills would not sort A Flight of Angels at the head of the list. Nonetheless, someone had to go first and she quickly broke the ice by setting the mood for her piece. “Think of angels on drugs!” she declared with apologies to Dale Jergensen. From that moment on, I knew we were in for a creative and uninhibited weekend. One by one, each of us took a turn on the podium as the rest rang their assigned positions. We all struggled with similar issues, such as triplets versus equal yet syncopated eighth notes, what to do with that other hand, and posture. Any tension or uncertainty we might have felt as we arrived was quickly forgotten as Bill established trust with each of us as conductors with unique and individual style. Then he showed us how to convey that trust to the rest of us behind the table. He seemed to enjoy giving us just enough rope to tie ourselves up in a dilemma and then casually suggest a way of unraveling the knot. “Less is more,” was often the theme. With his “sharp eye, amazing discernment, wisdom, and kindness,” he instantly saw what our individual video tapes would reveal to us later. He often waited for just the right moment to make that lasting impression that will come back to us later when we stand on a different podium in our respective settings. I recall trying to keep my left hand from aimlessly mirroring my right by tucking it away until I really needed to add that crescendo. Bill was obviously tired of seeing it too casually parked in my left pocket. So, he picked up my baton case, which I had carelessly left in his reach, and shoved it in my pocket while I was explaining some rhythmic pattern to the group. After enduring the predictable, good-natured jokes, I continued teaching the group Bill’s Centennary with even more interest in finding expressive moments to engage both of my hands. Everyone was well prepared. It seemed the more eye contact I made, the more I received back. I had nearly memorized my 171 measure score, and I was inspired by how many others, like my cheerful friend Linda Simms, had prepared their ringing scores. This class was not merely conducting skills and communicating with the choir. By preparing/memorizing one piece to present and conduct, then preparing eleven more to ring, the class was also extended lessons in composition and ringing skills. In order to ring “advance literature with the necessary sensitivity,” we concentrated on patterns, form, harmony, and other composition techniques each night as score study homework. This class offered it all, but only because we shut the world out for four days and supported each other with “very gracious and well-posed questions.” One individual aptly forecast the final exam where “everyone is pulling for the person on the stand”. And we not only passed, we took away memories of how to achieve “beautiful music together” with “dynamics that were so fantastic my entire being became part of each song.” We took with us new friendships, humbling stories of errant pencils, and other mischief, and a final performance of outstanding, inspired achievements that rival any showcase concert. Some said that upon returning home their “ringers noticed the improvement.” For others the impact of the weekend was difficult to explain. “Some things can only be experienced to understand.” So, if you have a “passion to learn” and a touch of humility, clear your calendar for next year’s Martin Luther King holiday weekend. I anticipate that each year will offer a new and different “mountaintop experience” at the hand of the master.

AREA iii NEWS News items for the September issue should be sent to your State Chair by August 1

Delaware Carol Coughenour, Chair

The following nine Delaware state choirs attended the Ocean City, MD Area III Spring Conference:

Avenue Bells, UMC, Milford Kimberley Vaughan, Director

Memorial Bell Choir, UMC, Rehoboth Beach Judy Moore, Director

Carillon Ringers, Presbyterian Church, Newark Carol Coughenour, Director

Covenant Ringers, UMC, Long Neck, Thelma Clark, Director

First State Ringers, UMC, Newark, Bruce Cataldi, Director

Bells of Praise, Presbyterian Church, Dover, Sally Waugaman, Director

Bells of St. Andrew’s, Lutheran Church, Dover, Linda Simms, Director

The Bells of St. Matthews, UMC, Fenwick Is., Billie Wall , Director

Chancel & St. Paul Ringers, UMC, Wilmington, Holly Vansuch, Interim Director

A total of 47 Choirs rang under the able baton of David Weck. Our own Linda Simms coordinated a variety of classes, from “Bucket Banging, Beyond the Basics” to “Ringing the African American Song.” ‘The First Year,” a Roundtable discussion chaired by yours truly at Ocean City, generated the following concerns by Beginning Directors in their efforts to build a stable handbell program. Perhaps there will be readers among you encountering the same problems.

A. What can I do to include community involvement?(Answer: ring for other church services in your area and organize mini-festivals for your town/city/village.)

B. Stabilize rehearsal attendance: (Answer: develop lesson plans, schedule monthly church service performances, and develop touring goals and/or Festival attendance.)

C. Are intergenerational choirs advisable? (Answer: yes, if chosen music and goals are interesting to all ages represented.)

D. What am I getting myself into?! (Answer: another scheduled activity in your life that can be rewarded with great musical satisfaction and personal joy --- GO FOR IT!)

Maryland Debbie Henning, Chair Dear Marylanders,

As the weather is getting warmer, I am sure your Spring season is well under way and coming to a peak. you haven’t already made plans for the summer, consider attending a handbell workshop, conventions or seminar. events will always rejuvenate you and your choirs/ensembles. I am still in the process of locating directors/ringers who would like to be a District Representative for Maryland. If your county does not have a rep and you would like to serve, please give me a call. following people have agreed to serve:

Allegany & Washington:

Frederick:

Baltimore:

Carroll & Howard: Carrie Grams 410-465-4995 *209 @aol.com

Harford & Cecil:

Anne Arundel: Donna Ervin

Calvert & St. Mary’s: Linda Lamb 301-863-9265 @msn.com

Kent, Talbot, Wicomico & Worcester:

On Sunday, March 19th Springfield Presbyterian Church in Sykesville held the opening concert in celebration of the church's 170th anniversary. concert featured music performed by two churches’ handbell and vocal choirs: Springfield Presbyterian and Oaklands Presbyterian in Laurel. The handbell choirs performed the pieces: Beyond All Praising—Morris; Spirit Song - Dobrinski; Bell Boogie - Smith; From A Distant Home - Helman; and Make Me An Instrument Of Thy Peace - McChesney. The Springfield Presbyterian Handbell Choir is directed by Linda Caviglia. The Westminster Church of the Brethren in Westminster designates one Sunday in March as an All-Music Sunday. The church's vocal and instrumental groups lead worship through music during both of the morning services. One of the groups that participated this year was the adult handbell choir, The Brethren Ringers. The group rang John A. Behnke's arrangement of When Morning Gilds the Skies. Brethren Ringer director, Louise Borneman, chose this piece because of the beautiful presentation of this well-known hymn tune. also wanted the group as a whole to reach past its comfort level of 2+/3- music. Everyone in the group, including those who were a bit skeptical at first, demonstrated that they were very capable of ringing the piece and played it well. Nine ringers from the Brethren Ringers also accompanied the church's vocal groups for Cindy Berry's Be Still and Know. On April 1st and 2nd, bells rang throughout Frederick County to mark the opening of local museums for the 2006 spring-summer season. A once-in-a-lifetime event for Frederick was the casting of a memorial bell. bell was cast in the world's only portable foundry by the Verdin Company. The Westminster Ringers will present their Spring concert entitled Spring Into Motion on Sunday, June 4th at 4 PM at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster. For more information, contact Debbie (410-848-5482 or [email protected].)

Metro Washington DC Melodie Feather, Chair

Spreading the Good News

Recently I sent out a survey asking you to share with me (and the Board) what you gained from being a member of AGEHR in Area III, what we could do to serve you better, and how you might be willing to help others with your knowledge and experience. I am delighted in the wealth of information that I am gathering from your responses. If you did not receive this survey, please let me know. If you have not returned it, please do so! I really do want to get to know each of you and to learn what you are doing! Although I am still in the process of compiling the information from the survey, I’d like to share how some of our colleagues are “spreading the news” about our art. The Chevy Chase Handbell Ringers (from Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, under the direction of Ken Lowenberg) performed at the 26th Annual InterFaith Concert at the Washington Cathedral for an audience of about 1500. The Peace Ringers and the Carol Ringers (from St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Annandale, Virginia, under the direction of Nancy Cappel) once again performed on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center (This performance can still be viewed on-line from the Kennedy Center website.). Have you met Kitty Yang, Minister of Music at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Springfield, Virginia? Her church handbell choir, St. John’s Bells of Praise, will be in concert on Sunday, May 21st at 7 p.m. Additionally, she has begun a community choir, Fu Jen DC Alumni Handbell Choir – the first Chinese handbell choir in the area! Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Falls Church, Virginia., will give their 20th Annual Handbell Concert on Sunday, May 7th at 7 p.m. The ringers will perform two newly commissioned pieces by Kath Wissinger and Michael Helman. And we must soon say farewell to their long- time director, Tom Gannon, and his wife, Marilyn, when they move away from Area III this summer. Communication of upcoming events is key to helping “spread the news” about our art. Please let me know of your upcoming events; what your needs are; and how you would like to be more involved in Area III. I look forward to assisting you. In the Spirit of ringing!

North Carolina Ellen Moretz, Chair

Spring is bursting forth all over the state, and with Spring comes the winding down for many bell programs. Once again Area III Festivals attracted attendees from other areas, traveling to take advantage of the excellent classes we offer. We are one of the few areas to provide such an opportunity for our members. Have you participated in an Area Festival? If not, you have missed an incredible experience of ringing under a wonderful clinician with up to 600 other ringers, in addition to classes and exceptional performances by some of the best groups in and around the area. We in North Carolina have so many varied opportunities to expand our ringing experiences, sometimes it becomes difficult to choose, so we stick with the familiar. I urge everyone to “think out of the box” and make an effort to attend a festival not considered before. The Baptist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian churches all have retreats in our state, and all offer some sort of handbell experience. However, as members of AGEHR, we need to take advantage of the opportunities our Guild offers to us. If you’ve never been a part of the planning of an Area Festival, you cannot believe the amount of work and dedication of so many people that goes into the project. As an attendee, you have certain responsibilities as well, not only in the preparation of the music, but to evaluate the event and the classes. If you don’t let us know how you feel, we don’t know what to keep, or what to improve. As a member of the Guild, there are many opportunities available to each one of us: Festivals, Read and Ring, Seminars, and many national events including Distinctly Bronze. Any member of AGEHR can apply to any event hosted in any area. The benefits of membership are vast! If you are a director of a group, and YOU hold the membership, each member of your group is covered under your umbrella. You have a responsibility to inform your ringers of the opportunities available to them. You are the foundation of the success of Area III. We urge you to not only support us by participating in the events we offer, but to get involved in every aspect those events. Contact a State Chair or the Festival Chair to volunteer. I guarantee it will be an eye- opening experience for you, and a most enjoyable one as well!

May the joyous peals of Easter renew our minds and spirits, and may our bells always ring true!

Virginia Ned Davis, Chair

Zana Kizzee, our former Virginia Chair has resigned her position due to increased responsibilities and time commitments at work. She will be involved again at another time! Thank you, Zana! Area III has appointed Ned Davis from Virginia Beach to be the Virginia Chair. We look forward to hearing from Ned as he begins working with the Virginia ringers and directors. Welcome Ned! We welcome new Virginia ringers to Area III and were delighted that many of them made time to attend the spring festivals and participate in the Genesis Track with our guest clinician, Carol Feather Martin from Trinity Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Virginia. Carol did an outstanding job working with beginners at both the Ocean City and Hampton festivals! Hampton, Virginia was the host for the third of this year’s Area III spring festivals. Many thanks to Fran Vaughan and Kath Wissinger for their leadership for this event. There were 644 registrants attending many wonderful classes and presenting a glorious final concert Saturday. The cavernous hall resonated with the ringing, the brass, flute and singing! The final concert was highlighted with the presentation of an Area III Distinguished Service Award to Nancy Cappel from St. Matthew’s UMC in Annandale, Virginia – to a standing ovation! The St. Matthews Peace Ringers definitely were a hit when “Elvis” walked in and joined them for a “Blue Christmas!” Keep ringing those bells!

The Area III Festival Experience: A Recipe Feeds 1200+

Created by Kath Wissinger Hampton Festival Chair

Take over 1200 ringers from 11 states, 33 teachers, 50 staff and behind-the-scene workers, 4 conductors, 8 vendors and months of planning, rehearsing and preparation for three Spring Festivals. Stack miles of pads (more than you need in case you lose some of them along the Interstate!), thousands of bells and chimes in "gee, these sure are heavy!" boxes, throw in mallets- a-plenty and gloves that go a-wandering (check the Lost and Found!) Borrow 50 more sets of handbells, chimes and pads for classes. Stir well and stuff all above into vehicles. Drive to your nearest convention center -the brand new Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, Virginia; Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland; Hickory Metro Convention Center in Hickory, North Carolina.

1. Unload tables, pads, covers, bells, books, mallets, carpet squares, candy, water bottles on assigned tables in Massed Ringing Hall. (Put the bottles on the floor!) Register your choir, receive Area III magnets and Festival brochures for everyone to plan their time.

2. Optional: Attend pre-Festival classes. Ring in pre-Festival massed session.

3. Check into the hotel. Eat dinner at hotel or one of many nearby restaurants.

4. Return for Opening Bell - Massed Ring, showcase concert (Anacrusis, Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble, Rejoice Ringers) and more evening classes and massed ringing.

5. Take candy back to hotel rooms. Bond with your choir. Order in pizza. Relax—swim, line dance, party! Sleeping is optional, but recommended.

6. Saturday morning, - shop! Attend morning classes and massed rehearsal, eat lunch nearby. If you are in Ocean City, dodge St. Patrick’s revelers or walk on the beach.

7. Attend one more class -or- shop at one of the vendors -or- observe the Bronze Festival Choir rehearsal or the Tapestry demo concert if you are in Hickory.

8. Attend one more massed rehearsal with brass choir and flutist, along with Rally Ring choir solos.

9. If in Hampton, select one of two concerts to attend: the Genesis Track or 6th Dimension Ensemble (both were full!)

10. Change into performance garb. Eat some candy. Tidy your bell tables.

11. Ring in Festival Concert, hear Bronze Conference Choir play three of their pieces and Bronze Festival Choir play one piece. Order a Festival Concert CD. Hold hands across the rows and cheer!

12. Fill out Event Evaluations.

13. Pack up all equipment as noted in #1. Stuff equipment and ringers back into vehicles and drive safely home. Stop for last fun meal along the way—crab cakes, barbeque, ribs! It’s only once a year!

14. Make plans to return in 2007...March 2-3 in Hickory; March 9-10 in Ocean City; April 20-21, in Hampton. See areaiii.org for details. . Thanks for Ringing!

Bronzeworks Handbell Ensemble, one of four groups under Desert Bells International in Phoenix, Arizona will perform a concert on Friday, June 16, 2006 at 7:00 PM at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 651 Dranesville Road, Herndon, VA. Founded in 1991 and under the direction of veteran handbell director, Kay Cook, Bronzeworks has performed in many areas of the United States, as well as in Canada, Great Britain, Japan, Europe, and Australia.They have recorded 50 CDs for Hope Publishing Co. and Red River Music.They were featured in Park City, Utah during the 2002 Winter Olympics and appeared on the “Today” show as it covered the sporting events.The concert will include sacred, secular and patriotic selections. A free-will offering will be received to cover expenses.For more information, contact Mary Clark, Director of Instrumental Music at Fourth Pres., 301-320-3434 ext. 203.

HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 20th ANNUAL CONCERT MAY 7 at 7:00 p.m. 3022 Woodlawn Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. Featuring four handbell choirs playing sacred and secular music. Everyone is welcome. Reception after concert. Come hear two new songs written for and dedicated to our choirs. Christus Bells will play Evening Meditation by Michael Helman, and the Luther Ringers will play Veritas (Trust) by Kath Wissinger. Former ringers are invited back to help celebrate. Directions: on route 50, from the beltway, past Loehmann's Plaza on the left to Woodlawn Avenue. Trinity is on the corner of Woodlawn Avenue and route 50. West from DC on route 50 past Annandale Road, then right on Woodlawn Ave.

AREA III WELCOMES 10 NEW MEMBERS

(January 1—March 5, 2006) Total membership as of March 5, 2006 is 917 Linda Simms, Area III Membership Chair 302-677-0187 [email protected]

Send address and membership changes or corrections to: AGEHR, 1055 E. Centerville Station Road, Dayton, OH 45459-5503. The Bell-O-Gram cannot make or process any changes or corrections.

Maryland Judy Rasmussen, Presbyterian Church of the Atonement, Silver Spring

Virginia

Robert Gordon, Roanoke Beth Viser, Benn’s UMC, Smithfield

North Carolina

Sabrina Tyndall, Music Made in Heaven Choir, Cary David Mayo, Sharon Presbyterian Church, Charlotte Richard McKee, Huntersville Karen Wood, Bethel UMC, Midland Colleen Lee, Music Made in Heaven Choir, Raleigh Billie Freeman, Music Made in Heaven Choir, Raleigh Anna Skirvin, Music Made in Heaven Choir, Raleigh

Stay in Touch with Ring Touch

The new Area III Electronic Newsletter, Ring Touch, is now available online! Monthly editions highlighting Area III events, repertoire, local concerts and workshops, introducing new Area III members, and announcing up-to-date news—all direct to your inbox or accessible on the Area III website!

To simply read RingTouch online, you may go to areaiii.org and click on the latest edition link. To subscribe to RingTouch, go to areaiii.org, click on the current RingTouch edition link, select the subscription link.

Area III Directors’ Seminar—September 15-16, 2006

Place: Centreville United Methodist Church Centreville, Virginia

Clinician: Dr. Deborah Carr

Beginning Directors’ Session: Dottie Tweedie

This event will include a pre-seminar discussion session on Friday afternoon with Deborah Carr. She will conduct the five-session seminar, “Ringing to a Higher Level,” beginning on Friday evening. During sessions three and four Dottie Tweedie will work with beginning directors. Deborah Carr will give an opening session and a demonstration/lecture session for all attendees.

Registration Fees: Friday pre-seminar: $45; Seminar: $95; Both sessions: $125

Brochures with registration information will be mailed in late May for this event. POC: Fran Underwood [email protected]

If you have been hoping for a directors’ seminar that will help you be the director your ringers need, this is it! Deborah Carr will offer you insight, ideas, encouragement, and skills you will value every time you gather with your choir. Mark your calendar. .

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR AGEHR, AREA III

Area III may offer at least one scholarship to the:

AGEHR AREA III DIRECTORS’ SEMINAR CENTREVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CENTREVILLE, VIRGINIA SEPTEBMER 15-16, 2006

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

1. Be a resident of Area III (Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, or Metropolitan Washington D. C.) 2. Be a member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc. 3. Be directing a handbell choir within Area III at the time of application and at the time of the seminar. 4. Be a first-time attendee at the event.

DEADLINE: July 15, 2006

FOR APPLICATIONS AND FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Area III Scholarship Committee Chair Ed Tompkins Phone: 704-821-8392 or E-mail: [email protected]

Visit the Area III web site, areaiii.org Click on “Services” to find the Scholarship page.

A scholarship covers registration and lodging (1/2 room). Transportation is NOT included. No meals are included except those covered in the registration fees.

Area III Composition Contest

Winning Composition Will Be Premiered at the Area III 2007 Festivals

General Guidelines

• Two compatible scores: 2-3 and 3-5 octaves • Level 2+ or 3 • Two to four minutes for performance • Original and unpublished • Appropriate for massed ringing for youth and adult festivals • Chimes and/or solo instrument may be included

Submission Deadline: June 1, 2006

Prize: $700

For complete rules and further information, please contact:

Lynn Bogovich [email protected] or 410-923-6520

Web News by Stephen Nash, Area III webmaster

Area III Automation

The Area III site is getting automated…! What does that mean you may be wondering? In a nutshell it means information you submit to the site (events, classifieds, and sub-listings) are getting posted quicker!

But what does it really mean? Take for example the new Events at a glance section of our Events page.

See the list of upcoming events? This list is generated dynamically from our online calendar. Rather than having me (the webmaster) manually type these events on the page each day, they are automatically updated behind the scenes. So no more delays when I’m unavailable to update the site.

This also can be seen on our Substitute Ringers list. Information you submit via the form on our website is quickly available on the sub-list page (once approved). Again, no more manual typing on my part which means your information is available quicker.

We hope to use this automation to help bring more useful features to Area III members. If you have any suggestions for what would be useful on the site, please be sure to email me ([email protected]) and the Area III Chair ([email protected]) and let us know!

On The Web— www.whackymusic.com For those who weren’t able to join Nancy Cappel for her Boomwhacker® class taught at the Hampton Spring Festival, we thought you’d enjoy checking out this website for some “whacky” fun. When you get to the site go to Cool Stuff and then listen and watch the video of groups like the Seattle Men’s Chorus playing Hymn to Joy on Boomwhackers and a Japanese group playing Can Can. This is not a place to purchase, just to enjoy!

Voices of Youth to bring handbell ringing to Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa. by Ann Rollins

The Voices of Youth is an auditioned 40 voice high school youth choir from around the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. The group is sponsored by the Virginia Conference Board of Global Ministries with the call of “Awakening the Church to Mission.” Each year, applicants are required to submit letters of recommendation from their pastors, choir directors, youth directors, parents and peers in addition to a personal application and audition tape. Each person chosen is expected to raise the money for their participation in the trip. This year will mark the 21st annual Voices mission trip. Historically, the group has alternated travel in-country and overseas and has been to many places including New York, Tennessee, Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Malaysia, Singapore, Estonia and Mexico. This will be the second tour to travel to Africa. Mission activities have ranged from teaching Bible School to children with developmental disabilities, working in distribution centers organizing materials donated for victims of disaster, shalom zones, soup kitchens, house repair and yard work, helping in shelters for the homeless and many other activities. Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa are the destinations for this summer’s trip. Upon their return, the group will tour the Virginia Conference giving concerts in various churches and sharing their mission experiences. One of the activities of the group this summer will be to lead a music camp for orphaned children in Mutare, Zimbabwe. This year’s Voices director, Ann Rollins, Music Director from Pender United Methodist Church in Fairfax, Virginia, is strongly committed to handbells and handbell education. Theresa Carpenter, assistant music director at Pender, is also on the adult staff of Voices of Youth and is a strong handbell ringer and advocate. Many of the youth who participate in this mission experience are also handbell ringers in their local congregations. So as a part of the camp, the children will be taught to play the “KidsPlay” colored handbells. We anticipate taking enough sets of bells so that each child in the program will be able to play two bells and we plan to leave the bells and educational materials with the teachers in the orphanage when we return to the United States.

If your bell choir would like to donate a set of “KidsPlay” bells, please contact Ann Rollins at [email protected] and pray for us as we follow God’s call to share His love through music.

Directors AND Ringers

Do you know anyone who wants to start a handbell program?

Area III has two 3-octave sets of handchimes available for one semester loans to schools, churches, and community organizations that do not currently have a handbell program. Area III will provide three octaves of handchimes, music, a technique manual, curriculum suggestions, and all the support needed to get a program started. Space and ringers are all that a group needs. The chime application can be obtained by visiting the Area III website, areaiii.org. Click on “Services” to find the CHIME page. For further information, contact the Area III Chime Loan Chair Elaine Myers at [email protected]

Area III Youth Handbell Festival Conference November 17-18, 2006 Richmond, Virginia Jason Wells, Clinician

I hope that all of you that have youth choirs will consider attending the 2006 Area III Youth Handbell Festival Conference. years event will be again held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in downtown Richmond, Virginia, November 17- 18. Jason Wells will be our clinician for the weekend. We are in the planning stages so we don't have a solid list of classes yet, but we want to assure you that we are planning that they will beas much fun as they have been in the past. also have a couple possibilities in the works for guest choirs. Please watch your mail boxes in May for the brochure that will contain much more information.

Laura Shelton will be the Event Chair this year along with Linda Simms as Program Chair. If you have ANY suggestions for either of these ladies or have a desire to assist in any fashion please contact either of us. can be reached at [email protected] or 703-435-4290. Linda's information is on the second page of the Bell-O-Gram. We are looking forward to seeing many of you in November. We have provided you with the repertoire list for the event, so you can start your planning now. Remember, watch for the brochure registration information in May.

2006 Youth Handbell Festival Conference Repertoire

MASSED

‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime Arr. Cathy Moklebust Level 2 Choristers Guild MCGB155—2-3 Octaves, optional handchimes; MCGB402—3-5 Octaves, optional handchimes

All Day All Night Arr. Sondra Tucker Level 2+ Alfred Publishing MAP23155—3-5 Octaves

Song of Triumph Arnold Sherman Level 2/3+ Hope Publishing MHP1853—Handbells/Chimes (L3+) 3-4 Octaves MHP1855—Chime Choir (L2) 3-4 Octaves; MHP1854—Full Score

COPPERS

Allegro Glorioso Catherine McMichael Level 3+ AGEHR; MAG36030—3-6 Octaves

Meditations of the Heart Michael Helman Level 4 Beckenhorst; MBEHB253—3-6 Octaves

TINS A Festive Rondo Michael Helman Level 2+ AGEHR ; MAG23009

Canon of Grace Arr. Linda R. Lamb Level 2 Alfred Publishing AP19009—2-3 Octaves

Special Delivery

We are looking for interesting musical features to share with others in Area III

This can include one– or two-page copy ready music— for choir, ensemble; bell tree creations; processionals; descants...

Whatever you’ve written for your choirs, someone else will love too... What can YOU share with us?

Contact Kath Wissinger [email protected]

Area lll Video Lending Library

In Our Video Library… Instructional & Technical Videos

Tempo Setters—–historical videos about… Here’s how it works - - -

1. Your request for borrowing videos must be made on the form below and mailed to C. Milton Rodgers III, Video Librarian, c/o Grace United Methodist Church, 9750 Wellington Road, Manassas, VA 20110. Telephone: 703-361-7800, ext. 20. 2. A check, payable to Area III AGEHR, for $5.00 per video must accompany your request. This covers the cost of mailing the video and a small rental fee. 3. A second check, payable to Area III AGEHR, for $10.00 per video must accompany your request. This check will be held as a late fee for returning the videos. If the videos are returned by the due date your check will be returned. Otherwise it will be deposited. 4. You are responsible for returning each video. All videos are to be returned in padded envelopes or video boxes and must be sent Priority Mail (U.S. Postal Service). 5. More than one video may be requested. However, your request should indicate the priority order. It is often impossible to send more than one video promptly. 6. Copying videotapes is illegal. It’s an infringement of copyright laws. Area III maintains the Video Lending Library for instructional purposes and as a service to you, its members.

Here’s what you do ------Complete this form, enclose checks payable to Area III AGEHR, and mail to C. Milton Rodgers III, c/o Grace United Methodist Church, 9750 Wellington Road, Manassas, VA 20110.

Name ______Mailing Address______

City______State______Zip ______Sponsoring Organization ______

(Check One) This is a church address _____ This is a private address _____

Membership # ______Phone (day) ______(evening) ______

List videos requested (by title and number) in order of preference:

1. ______#______2.______#______3. ______#______

2. Enclose two checks: (1) $5 rental fee per video = $______; (2) $10 deposit fee per video = $ ______You are responsible for return postage, and you agree to return videos promptly. In case of damage or loss you assume responsibility for replacing the videos.

Date______Signature______

Advanced Handbell Ringing (A145) Alive—Glee Handbell Choir (A-236) Around the World in Bronze (A-250) Beginning Handbell Ringing (B-10) Bell Basics (B-17) A Bronze Christmas (B-20) Campanile in Concert (C-55) Christine Anderson in Concert (C-54) Choirchimes-Music For All Ages (C-490) Classical Bells in Concert (C-500) Dalcroze Eurhythmics (D-2) Developing Solo-Ensemble Skills (D-88) Facing the Music (F-76) Hand Trauma (H-32) The Handbell Workshop CD-Rom (H-20) with Kermit D. Junkert Masteringers 1991 Festival (M-11) Music In Motion (M-100) National Festival—1987 (N-90) One Winter Evening At Meymandi (O-1) Putting the Ring in Bronze- (P-1) Schulmerich Ring of Fire: The Bells of Tualatin Valley Jr. Academy (R-4) Ringing in Small Ensembles (R-3) Songs for the Solo Ringer-Instruction (S-4) Songs for the Solo Ringer-Performance (S-5) Sound Advice—Malmark (S-1) Splash of Bronze (S-6) Teaching a Piece of Handbell Music (T-17) Tinkling Handbells— (T-75) Donald Allured (TS-1) Elizabeth Bradford (TS-2) David Davidson (TS-15) Lawrence/Wilma Fink (TS-16) Andrew Flanagan (TS-3) Daniel Hermany (TS-17) Everett Jay Hilty (TS-4) Robert Ivey (TS-5) Jacques Kearns (TS-18) Mary Kettlehut (TS-6) Richard Litterst (TS-19) Jake Malta (TS-7) Willard Markey (TS-8) Mary McCleary (TS-9) Scott Perry (TS-10) Ellen Lorenz Porter (TS11) Marvin Reecher (TS-12) James Salzwedel (TS-13) Nancy Poore Tufts (TS-20) Doris Watson (TS-14)