Seminar Classes and Tracks
B4URing – David Davidson ~ for directors and educators
Fri. @ 2:00 Presidio II, Sat. @ 8:30 Canyon III & IV
A great deal of preparation needs to precede that first rehearsal. This class will dig into the music looking for the important issues of the music and how to teach them in the beginning rehearsals for immediate and lasting value to the performance. We will also consider ways to enhance the music.
Bell Tree Solo, The – A New Idea in Handbell Ringing – Barbara Brocker ~ for everyone
Thurs. @ 2:30 Canyon II, Fri. @ 2:00 Canyon II
This class will be divided into small groups. Each group will have a bell tree stand, a set of bells, and mallets. Each group will build their own bell tree setup, and individuals in the group will have the opportunity to play portions of a solo. Related equipment and music options will also be discussed.
Change Ringing – Kathryn Hughes ~ for everyone
Thurs. @ 8:30 Joshua Tree I & II, Fri. @ 9:00 Palo Verde
Handbells were originally designed as practice bells for learning the art of change ringing on large tower bells. Come and learn how to ring original changes using handbells.
Conducting for Beginners – Kathy Ebling-Thorne ~ for directors and educators
Thurs. @ 2:30 Coronado I, Fri. @ 10:30 Agave
This session will offer participants the opportunity to analyze a composition through score study and then to conduct other class members. Special attention will be given to posture, gestures, patterns, ictus and the overall ability of the conductor to communicate with the ringers.
Creative Use of Handbells in Worship – Beth Judd ~ for ringers and directors
Thurs. @ 8:30 Coronado I, Fri. @ 10:30 Coronado I
Designed as an actual worship service, this class will lead participants through all the various components of worship with examples for utilizing handbells for traditionally spoken or sung liturgy.
Cultivating Musical Habits – Griff Gall ~ for directors and educators
Fri. @10:30 Joshua Tree I & II, Sat. @ 10:00 Coronado I
This class will focus on a teaching process that is designed to develop long-term musical habits while preparing developmentally appropriate repertoire. While this is designed for children, the process may easily be adapted to working with beginning adult ringers as well.
Don't Just Stand There! - Performing Skills for Ringers – Rima Greer ~ for everyone
Fri. @ 10:30 Turquoise I, Sat. @ 3:15 Turquoise I
Want to really engage your audience as you ring? Learn concrete techniques you can use to build performing confidence, connect with your audience, and free yourself up to inject emotion, visual style, and enhanced musicality into your ringing performance. This is a hands-on class, where you'll get to try these techniques first-hand.
Engaging Your Audience through Good Concert Programming – Kermit Junkert ~ for directors
Thurs. @ 2:30 Seminar, Sat. @ 10:00 Seminar
Did you know that most handbell concerts lose their audience within 15 minutes? This lecture class will concentrate on helping create a concert program that will leave a lasting positive impression and keep them longing for more. We will examine failure and success stories of planning a concert from your own personal testimonies. Awards will be presented for the worst concert disaster idea and the best concert idea. You’re going to enjoy this.
Finale – Martha Lynn Thompson ~ for those interested in composing or arranging
All classes are in the room named Seminar
Introduction to the Finale Family of Music Notation Programs – Wed. @ 2:45
This class is designed to introduce Finale to those who do not currently use it and to help those who are beginning to learn the program. The class will be a general overview of Finale, including instructions for setting up and creating simple documents. The less complex and less expensive programs Notepad, Print Music, and Allegro will also be demonstrated and their features compared to those of Finale.
No previous knowledge of Finale is required, but basic computer skills are required.
Finale Track Classes
These seven classes are sequential and are designed as a track, but participants may choose which classes to attend, based on the subject matter offered in each class. However, participants are encouraged to attend all classes regardless of their level of expertise.
Laptops with Finale installed are not required, but participants are welcome to bring them. Although Finale 2008 and 2009 will be used for demonstration purposes, all but the earliest versions will be useful.
A basic knowledge of Finale is required for the first classes and a good knowledge is required for the latter classes.
Class notes will be specific to each class. General topics to be covered in each class:
Thurs. @ 8:30
Class #1 – Setting up a document; Simple Entry; Speedy Entry; Working with Layers; Working with Voices
Fri. @ 9:00
Class #2 – Using Special Tools and Smart Shapes; Using the Bells-Used Plug-in; Music Spacing; Page Layout; Making the Most of the Expressions and Articulations Tools; Making the Most of the Utilities; Playback through Midi and Garritan Sounds
Fri. @ 10:30
Class #3 – Text Blocks and Text Inserts; Repeats; Coda & D.S.; Changing Noteheads and Percentages; Cross-Staff Notes; Tuplets (Simple, Speedy, w/without midi); Beaming, Composite Time Signatures; Changing Time Signatures Often; Different Time Signatures for Each Staff
Fri. @ 2:00
Class #4 – Hyperscribe; Tempo Tap; Graphics; Clef Changes; Lyrics; Extracting Parts; Linking Parts; Transposing Instruments; Score Reduction; Cue Notes; Playback 8va
Sat. @ 8:30
Class #5 – Split Measures; Pickup Measures; Mid-Measure Repeats; Fake Barlines; Creating Your Own Expressions and Articulations; Making the Most of Metatools; Editing Smart Shapes; Smart Shape Shortcuts
Sat. @ 1:45
Class #6 – Working with Libraries (Creating and Saving); Creating Your Own Template; Executable Trills, Shakes, Fermatas; Staff Styles; Masking; Staff Names; Patterson Beams; Clip Files; Merging Documents; Swapping Articulations; Search and Replace; Multiple Windows
Sat. @ 3:15
Class #7 – This class will be a wrap-up of the previous classes in the form of a round table discussion in which participants are encouraged to ask questions and offer solutions.
Foundations of Solo Ringing – Sueda Luttrell ~ for ringers
Thurs. @ 10:00 Canyon II, Sat. @ 1:45 Canyon II
Equipment needs, fluid technical skills, and shaping phrases are just a few of the topics addressed in this hands-on class designed to provide the building blocks for musical solo ringing.
Goal Oriented Handbell Group Strategies - Find Your Solutions by Finding Yourselves – Rima Greer ~ for everyone
Fri. @ 2:00 Palo Verde, Sat. @ 1:45 Presidio II
What should you play? What should you wear? What should your group photo look like? How do you get your group out there? You will learn the answers to all these questions and more, when you explore the true identity of your group. Who ARE you without your bells? Examine the fundamental purposes and goals of your group to create a singular identity. Be all you can be by being yourself, and use that knowledge to create success in ringing!
Handbell Assignments “A to Z” – Allured to Zinsmeister – Monica McGowan ~ for directors & educators
Thurs. @ 4:00 Canyon III & IV, Sat. @ 3:15 Coronado I
The philosophy and criteria used for handbell assignments established by handbell directors from Dr. Donald Allured to Karl Zinsmeister are presented in this session. Through score study and analysis, you can determine which handbell assignments work best for your choirs. Suggestions will be presented for assignments for 3, 4, 3-5 octaves and expanded sets with varying number of ringers. Bring your challenges and solutions to share with other class participants.
Handbell Assignments for 2-3 Octaves – Monica McGowan ~ for directors
Wed. @ 4:15 Turquoise I, Friday @ 2:00 Canyon I
Do you have three octaves of handbells but only enough ringers to ring two? Has your choir suddenly become short-handed? Do you have experienced ringers but not enough bodies behind the tables? This class on handbell assignments will depart from the “norm” of more commonly used assignment schemes. We’ll explore the possibilities of creative assigning with less and ways to keep your ringers busy while achieving musical results.
Handbell Soloist - Fearful or Free? – Sueda Luttrell ~ for ringers
Thurs. @ 4:00 Canyon II, Sat. @ 3:15 Canyon II
This highly interactive class explores the causes and effects of performance anxiety plus creative methods for moving from that fear to performance freedom and musical communication. Some participants will be asked to play a single phrase of a solo to assist in demonstrating the process.
History of Bells – Alan Hughes ~ for everyone
Wed. @ 4:15 Seminar, Sat. @ 1:45 Palo Verde
Bells have a long and fascinating history. This class explores the history of bells and their uses from the monastic craftsmen to the present day including the development and early uses of the English handbell.
I’m Excited, Now Where Is Everybody? – Michael Glasgow ~ directors and educators
Fri. @ 9:00 Canyon III & IV, Sat. @ 1:45 Canyon I
This class is designed to help participants encourage, motivate, recruit and retain their ringers. Communication is the key. This is not a session to discuss “problem ringers,” rather a session to discuss recruiting new ringers and keeping up the enthusiasm of existing ones, and building a team mentality within your ensemble.
Incorporating Bell Trees into the Bell Program – Barbara Brocker ~ for everyone
Thurs. @ 8:30 Canyon II, Fri. @ 9:00 Canyon II
Bell trees are intriguing to audiences and exciting for both beginning and experienced ringers. We’ll discuss how bell trees can be used in a regular bell program. We’ll touch on equipment, setup and takedown. We’ll look at music that uses bell trees within a regular choir piece. We’ll also explore the many ways that bell trees can be used in worship, in concert, and in the community. For both directors and choir members.
Intermediate-Advanced Conducting – David Davidson ~ for directors
Fri. @ 10:30 Presidio II, Sat. @ 1:45 Canyon III & IV
Attention will be given to the preparation of covering Level 4 and 5 compositions. Through the use of musical examples, we will look at ways to insure the conductor looks like the music the are creating; we will focus on being the "inciter" of music and not responding to music; ways the conductor can intimate all of the different techniques of the art; as well as ways to improve the musical shape of the phrase and the arch of the composition. Everyone will be practicing conducting gestures in this class.
Introduction to Composition – Arnold Sherman – for composers
Wed. @ 2:45 Joshua Tree I & II
It’s New, It’s Crazy, I Love It! – Michael Glasgow ~ for everyone
Fri. @ 2:00 Canyon III & IV, Sat. @ 10:00 Canyon III & IV
This class is designed to introduce participants to and acquaint participants with the myriad of new techniques that are coming into use with handbells. The techniques’ histories will be briefly explained and the performance techniques will be taught, giving participants the opportunity to learn and apply these techniques in an interactive, hands-on way.
Making Music from the Middle - the Unsung Heroes: Musicality and weaving for the battery bells (G4-B5) – Debbie Rice ~ for everyone
Thurs. @ 10:00 Coronado I, Fri. @ 2:00 Turquoise I
Making music from the middle requires changing bells with efficiency, weaving multiple bells, highlighting melodies under the treble, functioning as harmony and melody within the same measure or phrase, building dynamic accompaniment and resolving dissonance. Explore the musical power these unsung heroes can provide within several selections of repertoire.
Malmark Maintenance – Kathy Ebling-Thorne ~ for everyone
Wed. @ 4:15 Canyon II, Sat. @ 10:00 Presidio II
Find out how to keep your Malmark bells in good shape physically. Bring a “problembell” if you have one. Learn how to protect your bells for more years of service.
Marketing for Your Organization – Kay Cook ~ for everyone
Thurs. @ 10:00 Seminar, Sat. @ 8:30 Palo Verde
This class will cover a variety of ways to market your organization and promote concerts. Attendees will be introduced to many ideas regarding branding, marketing etc. Not only will the class cover the use of the computer, but will also include one-on-one interviews, telephone, newspapers, T.V. and radio. The second half of the class will run as a "round table" so that everyone attending may share ideas.
Musical Mallets: Turn Handbell Hazards into Handbell Havens – Debbie Rice ~ for everyone
Wed. @ 2:45 Presidio II, Saturday @ 8:30 Turquoise I
Mallets offer wonderful opportunities to enhance the musical timbre of this instrument. This focus on mallets with an emphasis on battery bells (G4-B5) will review notations for all mallet techniques, offer guidelines for mallet selection, appropriate execution, dynamics and other artistic decisions for a more musical result. Turn these potential hazards into handbell havens.
Orff Approach to Handchimes, An – Griff Gall & Paul Weller ~ for educators and directors
Sat. @ 8:30 and 3:15 Joshua Tree I & II
Handchimes are an engaging instrument for teaching and learning in the general music classroom. This hands-on workshop will focus on exploring the principals of the Orff Approach, including singing, movement, improvisation and composition while exploring the versatility of the handchime. All of the materials presented will be appropriate for the public.
Orff-Schulwerk in the Church – Paul Weller ~ for educators and directors
Fri. @ 2:00 Joshua Tree I & II, Sat. @ 10:00 Joshua Tree I & II
Discovering and working with "Elemental music" is the core principal of the Orff-Schulwerk approach to teaching music. Through the media of singing, saying, dancing, and playing, the basic concepts of music are discovered and taught. This class will focus on the basic building blocks of music and how, by looking for these elemental pieces, you can easily teach any piece of music. Also, we will be exploring the Orff Schulwerk Music for Children volumes to see the wealth of literature that they provide for the handbell world: Warm-ups, small ensembles, full choir pieces, 4 in hand drills, music for adults and children alike. You will acquire new and innovative ideas that will inject your rehearsals with fun and immediate success.
Playing Passionately from the Heart and Soul – Stephanie Wiltse ~ for everyone
Wed. 2 4:15 Agave, Thurs. @ 4:00 Agave
We often get very emotionally involved in the music we play, but can the listener tell that? We will explore ways to be more engaged in the music, and to further engage our listener in the music we play. Our stance, our body language, our facial expressions, and the way we conduct or play are all part of reaching out and drawing in our listener. It’s not just about smiling; it’s not just about playing the right notes… it’s about making the music come to life.
Rehearsal Techniques – Beth Judd ~ for directors and educators
Wed. @ 4:15 Canyon III & IV, Thurs. @ 5:30 Canyon III & IV
Covered in this class is philosophy, interpersonal communication, lesson plans, score preparation, learning tools, director tips and more, all designed to create a more effective rehearsal.
Rhythms and Ringing – Nancy Jessup ~ for everyone
Sat. @ 8:30 and 3:15 Presidio II
Through games and activities we will learn and review the connection between rhythm and ringing. We will cover the cup game, “pop can rhythms,” tennis ball bouncing and some coordination exercises. With each activity we will discuss the ringing application.
Ringing Basics – David Weck ~ for ringers, directors and educators
Fri. @ 2:00 Coronado I, Sat. @ 3:15 Canyon III & IV
Directors & Ringers: Are you a new ringer or director to handbells? Or are you in need of a review course? If so, this class will help hone your skills in the bell arena. Learn the proper way to hold, ring and damp handbells, the basics of bell assignments, the proper maneuvers for bell changes and how to perform special techniques so that the bells will still be under warranty.
Ringing to Reading: making the leap in the general music classroom – Griff Gall ~for educators
Fri. @ 9:00 Agave, Sat. @ 1:45 Coronado I
Pre-reading and music literacy skills can be taught in the general music classroom with the aide of handchimes and other classroom instruments including the recorder. This workshop is designed to bridge activities explored in “An Orff Approach to Handchimes” with what you will need to have your students ready to enter your chime ensemble.
Schulmerich Maintenance – Kermit Junkert ~ for everyone
Thurs. @ 4:00 Coronado I, Sat. @ 8:30 Coronado I
Learn to optimize the performance of your Schulmerich handbells and MelodyChime© instruments.
Social and Computer Networking to Create a Youth Ensemble Community - John Pfeiffer ~ for educators and directors
Thurs. @ 5:30 Seminar, Sat. @ 10:00 Palo Verde
Primary focus is on the use of Web 2 technology to create a sense of community in your ensemble, as well as making marketing your program to potential participants and audiences.
Socially Acceptable Bell-Hoggery Skills for Ensemble Ringers – Rima Greer ~ for everyone
Fri. @ 9:00 Turquoise I, Sat. @ 10:00 Turquoise I
More bells, less people. Make it happen in your group! In this hands-on class you will learn treble, bass, battery, and assigning techniques that will help you cover more bells with fewer ringers. Get it done without frantic grabs, out-of-control drops, and with none of the dreaded "flapping" at the table!
Stop Look and Listen: Strategies of Musicality in the Family of Stopped Sounds – Debbie Rice ~ for everyone
Wed. @ 4:15 Coronado I, Sat. @ 1:45 Turquoise I
Stopped sounds exist throughout the entire musical world. Wind players and pianists quickly release keys. String players move from bowing to pizzicato. Percussionists are stopped sound exhibitionists. Ringers enjoy a myriad of these sound options from Ring Touch to Marts. Our responsibility for stopped sounds is to make it look easy and listen for musical accuracy. This session will emphasize the battery bells from G4-B5.
They Ain’t Heavy, They’re Just Bass Bells – Monica McGowan ~ for everyone
Wed. @ 2:45 Canyon I, Fri. @ 9:00 Canyon I, Sat. @ 8:30 Canyon I
Discover the secrets to safely hefting the buckets and getting musical results! Come discover how to lift, ring, damp and execute all those special techniques with health and wellness in mind. Examples of layout, schematics and “who rings what when” will be covered. Experience how you can make the most of those brawny bass bells, even with a little help from your friends. This class is gender-inclusive: women can safely ring the buckets, too!
Treble Techniques (multiple in hand) – Sueda Luttrell ~ for everyone
Thurs. @ 5:30 Canyon II, Fri. @ 10:30 Canyon II, Sat. @ 10:00 Canyon II
Come explore methods for shelley, four in hand, and six in hand techniques. This hands-on class explores setups, execution, damping, and applications for successful multiple in hand ringing.
What’s the Music’s Story? – Stephanie Wiltse ~ for everyone
Thurs. @ 8:30 Canyon III & IV, Fri. @ 2:00 Agave
Some pieces of music have a specific story behind their creation, but all music can tell a story. Whether you’re playing for an audience or a congregation, awareness of the story a piece of music can tell may help you to better communicate the emotion you not only feel, but want to convey to the listener. We will even make up our own stories! Be ready to let your imagination guide you.
Whitechapel Maintenance – Kathryn Hughes ~ for everyone
Thurs. @ 2:30 Canyon III & IV
Learn about the care and proper maintenance of your Whitechapel handbells.
Round Tables ~ Locations will be announced during the Seminar
Roundtable on Area Communication – Michael Glasgow
Join the editor of Area III’s online magazine, The Bell-O-Gram, as he facilitates a discussion on effective communication and marketing. Tips and discussion topics may include improving the look of your newsletter and other mailings, “going green” with online publications, resources available through the national AGEHR office, saving money through “bundling” print and mail services – and anything else you want to discuss!
Round Table for Church Musicians – Beth Judd
“How ‘ya gonna keep ‘em down on the farm when they’ve seen gay Paree?” How does the church musician compete with the lure of the secular world’s activities? School, working 2 jobs, athletics, lack of family time, and more all factor into the challenges of today’s music ministries. Let’s talk.
Round Table - Membership Matters – Executive Director, Jenny Cauhorn and Membership Director, Katie Schlegel
‘The experts’ are here to answer your questions, listen to your concerns, and discuss your ideas about AGEHR membership and the benefits it provides.
Roundtable for Music Educators – Griff Gall
This discussion will cover various aspects of teaching chimes and handbells in schools. Some of the topics to be covered: where to begin, success and challenges, and how to promote your program. Bring your questions and concerns to the table for an active discussion!
Round Table for Publishers/Composers – David Weck
Do you have questions about getting published? Everyone does. Join us for a lively discussion to help answer some of the ins & outs of the publishing industry. Topics like: How do I find the right publisher? Why do I keep getting rejection letters? Copyright? What will the publisher do for me? What is my role in working with the publisher?
Round Table – ‘Ringing Wet’ – John Pfeiffer
Learn techniques for effectively optimizing a volunteer organization.
Round table - Special Needs Groups/Non-Music Readers – Linda McKechnie
Join in this discussion about implementing handbells and handchimes in programs for those with special needs and/or non-music readers.
Round Table -14th International Handbell Symposium – Sun Joo Shin, Executive Director the Handbell Ringers of Japan
Mrs. Shin is available to answer questions and share information about the next International Symposium in Osaka, Japan in August, 2010.
Ringing Tracks ~ by pre-registration only
Beginning Ringers & Directors – Nancy Jessup
Wed. @ 4:15, Thurs. @ 10:00, 4:00 & 5:30, Fri. @ 9:00 Joshua Tree I & II
These consecutive sessions are for very beginning ringers and those who direct but have little opportunity to ring. We’ll work on basic stroke and damping and how to play musically. We will have fun in a stress-free environment!
Ringing Track Level 2-3 – Tammy Waldrop
Wed. @ 2:45, Thurs. @ 8:30, 10:00, 2:30 & 5:30 Agave
Come and enjoy ringing while sharpening your skills and approaching the music from the perspective of mind, soul, and body. Repertoire selection covers everything from fun with mallets to smooth moves to actually ringing “Over the Rainbow!”
First the Music…Then the Notes – Arnold Sherman
Wed. @ 4:15, Thurs. @ 8:30, 2:30 & 4:00, Fri. @ 9:00 Presidio II
Join us for a different approach to handbell ringing. It’s my contention that teaching the structure of the piece, identifying melodies, singing, clapping, patting and even drawing phrases before a bell is lifted off the table leads to more musical ringing. The easiest thing we do is pick up the bell and ring it. The hardest thing we do is make music – true music – with it. We’ll start with the hard stuff, and in our desire to be musical the notes, rhythms and bell changes will come along.
Advanced Ringing Track – Jim Meredith
Wed. @ 2:45, Thurs. @ 8:30, 10:00, 2:30 & 5:30 Turquoise I
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