Level II does not require a written examination but provides an opportunity to put Level I skills into practice. By submitting a series of videos and written documents, the Level II candidate must demonstrate rehearsal and management skills, a command of musicianship, music theory, repertoire, handbell techniques, conducting techniques, and handbell assignments. In addition, the director must teach a new ringer the fundamentals of grip, arm stroke, and damping. If you are interested in AGEHR Director Certification Level II, please review the Requirements and Process document for more information (link below).

Requirements and Process for Level II AGEHR Certification.

Application, Timetable  and Adjudication

• Application may be made at anytime convenient to the candidate. Candidates are allowed 6 consecutive months from the date of application to complete the process and submit all video and written documents. 
• A non-refundable fee of $50.00 must accompany the application mailed to the AGEHR office in Dayton, OH.  The application is available here [add link to application here – application to come soon]
• Evaluation of submitted documents may take up to 5 month.  The candidate will be notified by the national office when results are available.
• All written documents are to be submitted electronically as PDF or Microsoft Word file attachments
• Four (4) copies of each repertoire selection must be submitted. Photocopies are not acceptable
• All video documents are to be submitted on DVD
• Destinations for these submissions will be sent to the candidate upon receipt of the application
• A panel of anonymous adjudicators, selected by the Certification Committee, will evaluate all video and written materials. Adjudicators include experienced and highly regarded handbell conductors, composers, clinicians, publishers, teachers and authors.
• Criteria for evaluation appear later in this manual.

Choirs and Repertoire Selection

• Choir selected must be an established ‘full’ choir of at least 8 ringers. 
• Each selection must be at least AGEHR Difficulty Level III, and one selection must include handchimes.  The compositions may be scored for any range of handbells/handchimes, but should not include keyboard accompaniment or solo instruments.

Videography

• Candidates must submit digital video recordings (DVD) of three rehearsals with their choir.
• Interim rehearsals may take place but only the three rehearsals noted below should be recorded and submitted.
• Camera placement should reveal both the candidate and the ringers.  Stopping and moving the camera during a rehearsal is encouraged. 
• The use of an auxiliary microphone is recommended for the best possible audio quality. 
• It is recommend that candidates ask another individual to assist with the operation of the recording equipment, and that a ‘test run’ be conducted to determine the best possible video and audio quality.

Video Documents

• The Rehearsal Process
• Each rehearsal must be documented with a written rehearsal plan. Candidates may add written post-rehearsal comments after each rehearsal. Each rehearsal has a specific time limit.
• Rehearsal #1 should include appropriate introductory comments to the choir(s), an overview of the composition, and a complete start-to-finish read-through.  If time permits, a candidate may choose to ‘rehearse’ a particular section or begin to address technical and musical issues.  25 minutes are allocated for this rehearsal.
• Rehearsal #2 takes place at mid-point in the choir’s learning process. Candidates should use this opportunity to demonstrate an original instructional drill or exercise. The candidate should have resolved all technical and musical issues for the choir by the conclusion of this rehearsal, and should demonstrate his/her interpretation and mastery of the repertoire primarily through conducting gestures, not words.  35 minutes are allocated for this rehearsal.
• Rehearsal #3 will show the choir and the applicant in a ‘pre-performance’ rehearsal where final interpretative and musical issues are addressed, and the choir is brought to a full awareness of the music.  The candidate should use this opportunity to explain additional nuances and musical understandings gained from his/her completed score study, review and reinforce challenging passages, and present a final run-thru of the composition.  25 minutes are allocated for this rehearsal.
• Teaching Session
• The candidate must submit an additional video segment in which he/she teaches an individual to ring for the first time. 
• In this segment the candidate will teach grip, arm stroke, and damping of the English handbell.  Damping techniques include shoulder damp, consecutive legato ringing/damping, and simple table damp (without bell changes). 
• The candidate may submit a written overview of this segment.  The maximum time for this segment is 25 minutes.

Written Documents
All written documents are to be submitted electronically as PDF or Microsoft Word files

• Application
• In addition to personal and contact information, the candidate is requested to attach a few paragraphs explaining his/her rationale or motivation for pursuing Level II. 
• This information will have no bearing on the applicant’s score but may help the adjudicators better understand the applicant’s handbell experience, current handbell leadership role(s), and goals.
• An application form appears at the end of this document.
• Rehearsal Plans
• Each recorded rehearsal should be documented by a written rehearsal/lesson plan (3 total).  This document will reveal:
• Goal(s) for the session.
• The process used to achieve that goal(s).
• A follow-up self-evaluation of the rehearsal plan’s usefulness or shortcomings.    
• Any exercises or drills, explanations of techniques, musical terms, form, melodic and harmonic structures that are brought to the ringers’ attention.
• How information discovered in the score study has been used to heighten ringer awareness.
• Score Study
• The applicant must submit a formal and separate score study for each repertoire selection. The goal of the Score Study is to provide the candidate with a complete overview of the composition before putting it in rehearsal.
• Four (4) copies of each selection must be mailed.  PHOTOCOPIES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. This music will be returned to the candidate at the conclusion of the evaluation process.
• Each Score Study should include:
• Introduction.  The introduction should include:
• handbell assignments.
• key signatures and meter signatures  (and changes)
• handbell techniques found in the composition
• length of various sections (# measures)
• title and composer/arranger
• the genre or character/style of the composition (polyphonic, homophonic, theme and variations,  etc.)
• an overview of the dynamic range of the composition
• Harmonic Analysis  The Harmonic Analysis should include:
• harmonic events at the beginning of phrases and at cadences
• relationship of keys or implied keys
• overall harmonic structure and its relationship to the form of the composition.  Note:  The candidate does not need to analyze every chord in the composition
• Form Analysis.  The Form Analysis should include:
• a description of the form of the composition, and the measures where the various sections occur, including introduction, bridge(s), coda, da capo
• the relationship of the form to the Harmonic and/or the melodic analysis
• Melodic Analysis.  The Melodic Analysis should include:
• the contour, direction and characteristics of all melodies or themes and where they appear in the composition.
• how the themes or melodies are contrasting or similar.
• how the melodies or themes relate to the form and harmonic analysis
• Rhythmic Analysis.  The Rhythmic Analysis should include:   
• the character of any recurring rhythmic motifs
• the relationship of theses motifs to the form, melody or accompaniment.
• Accompaniment Analysis.  The Accompaniment analysis should include:
• the characteristics of musical materials not included in the melodies or themes. These may include ostinati, descants, Alberti bass, chords.
• the impact of these elements on other compositional devices
• Technical Analysis. The Technical Analysis should include:
• an analysis of the various handbell techniques and their impact on the melodic, rhythmic and accompaniment elements of the composition
• an analysis of the impact of techniques on particular ringing positions and assignments
• Ringer Evaluations
• The candidate must provide a copy of the Ringer Evaluation to each participating ringer at the conclusion of the last rehearsal. 
• The forms should be completed and collected at that time by someone other than the candidate and forwarded directly to the Certification Committee. 

Expectations for Evaluation

The following list suggests some of the significant items that require an adjudicator’s response.  The adjudicators’ response will be based on a scale of 1 to 5:
5 = Exceptional. Candidate consistently exceeds expectations
4 = Above Average. Candidate frequently exceeds expectations
3 = Acceptable. Candidate meets all expectations
2 – Needs Improvement. Candidate meets some expectations
1 = Poor. Candidate fails to meet expectations

Adjudicators work independently, without consultation, and submit their scores to the AGEHR Dayton office where all scores are tallied.

Video Documents
Rehearsals demonstrate:

• rapport and familiarity with the choir
• clarity of verbal instructions and conducting gestures
• pace of the rehearsal
• ability to respond to musical and technical questions
• ability to anticipate, isolate and resolve musical challenges through drills and exercises
• ability to bring the repertoire to a performance level in the allotted time

Teaching Segment demonstrates:

• ability to determine the new ringer’s learning style and deal with any physical limitations
• ability to establish a rapport of trust and confidence
• ability to instruct/teach safe and healthy ringing practices

Written Documents
Rehearsal Plans:

• provide both challenge and review for the ringer
• clearly state immediate and future goals
• show flexibility and adaptability
• are designed to increase the ringer’s musical awareness

Score Studies reveal:

• analytical skills and knowledge in the areas of harmony, melody, form, rhythm, accompaniment devices, and handbell techniques
• the ability to demonstrate how these elements are interdependent