October 8-11, 2009
New Bern, NC
Rehearsals & Concert:  New Bern Riverfront Convention Center
Lodging: Hilton New Bern Riverfront 

General Information

What is Distinctly Bronze?   We’re excited that you are considering attending Distinctly Bronze East 2009 – an event which is thrilling and challenging, fun and intense, exhausting and invigorating.  This massed ringing event for advanced ringers offers the unique opportunity to perform on the largest sets of handbells available.  Maestro David Davidson is the director for this event.  Rehearsals Thursday through Sunday lead up to the Sunday afternoon concert.  Registration is limited to 116 ringers.

How do I attend?  All DB attendees must be accepted to attend.  The acceptance process includes submission of a ringer information sheet, as well as two recommendations from ringing or directing colleagues. Distinctly Bronze is an event for experienced, capable ringers. That doesn’t mean you must be ringing in a super-bronze choir and sight-reading level six music; simply, Distinctly Bronze IS NOT about teaching notes and techniques. Instead, it IS a place to work on musicianship, to create an exciting concert, and to ring repertoire you might not have the opportunity to explore at home.

Successful Distinctly Bronze Ringers have the following traits:

• Committed to learning all of the music on their own.  Learning means being beyond the notes – you know where the musical line is and can see the overall picture.
• Learns quickly
• Understands that the music is more important than the individual
• Has experience with music approaching the difficulty of the DB repertoire (difficulty of at least AGEHR level 4)
• Has the stamina, energy and attention for lengthy rehearsals during the 4.5 days of the event
• Has good rehearsal etiquette – is prompt & cheerful
• Has self-awareness to realize when he/she “is the problem” (as in playing wrong rhythm, wrong bell, wrong dynamic, not following the director), and, without prompting or comment from anyone, either remedies the problem or sits out that passage
• Understands that ringing is a collaborative effort.   All the notes must be able to be rung musically.  This may require sharing bells with neighbors or giving one or more bells to a different ringer for an entire piece.
• Is open to constructive comments
• Doesn’t crumble under performance pressure

First-time attendees ask directing and ringing colleagues to submit recommendations based on first-hand observations, you are also asked to submit a ringer information form.  Please see the “First Time Attendee” information below for more details. 

Alumni in good standing merely submit a Registration Form, Handbell Assignment Preference Form and deposit. 

All completed applications are processed as they are received until the available slots are filled. 

Registrants are required to be affiliated with an active AGEHR membership—either personally or through a church or organization.  If you are uncertain if your organization holds an active AGEHR membership, please call the national office at 800-878-5459.  To join AGEHR follow this link or contact the national office for assistance.

Where do we meet? We are returning for a fourth year to the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center which is located on the waterfront of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, adjacent to the downtown and historic district. New Bern is a small and friendly town that is the second oldest city in North Carolina, as well as the home of the first capital of the state. The history of the area contrasts with the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center and features a spacious ballroom for our rehearsals, meals and concert. There are restaurants and shops within a four block walk.

Where will we stay? The Hilton New Bern Riverfront is located on the banks of the Trent River next to the Riverfront Convention Center and within walking distance of specialty shops, restaurants, and the city’s historic district. Our 171 newly appointed guest rooms feature complimentary WiFi and breathtaking views overlooking the spectacular Trent River, a 250-deep water slip marina, or scenic downtown.

Room rates at the Hilton New Bern are $129 per night for single and double rooms.  Triple and quad rooms will incur additional charges.  To make your reservation, call the Hilton at 252.638.3585 and indicate that you are with the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (be sure to use this full name so the agent can find our group.)  Our block will be held until September 1, 2009 or until it is full.  Room blocks for Distinctly Bronze tend to fill quickly, so make your reservations as soon as possible.

The hotel requires a credit card to hold the room.  Reservations may be cancelled up to 24 hours prior to your scheduled check-in date.  Check-in time is 3:00 PM however special arrangements for early check-in can be made if rooms are available.  Check-out time is 12:00 PM.

Registration Costs & What Is Included “Resident” participants utilizing the Hilton New Bern (Thursday through Saturday nights) pay a registration fee of $230.  For those who make lodging arrangements elsewhere for any of the event nights (Thursday-Saturday), the “non-resident” registration fee is $280.

In addition to working with David Davidson, your registration fee includes one meal, a 2009 Distinctly Bronze East Polo Shirt, and a recording of the final concert.  You also have the opportunity to ring with talented colleagues and network with other friendly AGEHR members.  Additional meals, polo shirts or CDs can be ordered by completing the appropriate line on the Registration Form.

First-time Attendees  If after reading all this information you would like to apply to attend Distinctly Bronze, please follow these steps:

1. Submit your Registration Form, Handbell Assignment Preference Form, and deposit with an active AGEHR membership number to the AGEHR office ASAP.  Your deposit will be returned if you are not accepted.
2. Fill out the Ringer Information sheet and submit it to the National Office as directed on the form.
3. Contact your references and ask them to fill out the Ringer Recommendation Form and submit it to the National Office as directed on the form.  YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT YOUR TWO RECOMMENDATIONS ARE RECEIVED.  You will not be contacted if your recommendations are not received in a timely manner.
4. Please note that no applications will be considered until ALL OF THE ABOVE are received by the national office.

Ringing Assignments are based on your position in the registration sequence and your response to the Ringing Assignments form.  Ringing assignments will NOT be confirmed until full payment for the event has been received.   You are expected to rehearse the music before you arrive in New Bern – our time together is for making music, not learning notes!

Distinctly Bronze CD Recording  A quality digital recording of the final concert will be made again this year.  Your registration includes one CD that will be mailed to you after the event.

The repertoire list will be sent to you this summer, and you are responsible for purchasing and rehearsing the music.  Repertoire notes regarding problem solving, corrections and other items may be sent at various times before the event.

William H. Griffin Scholarship  This fund offers one scholarship to the 2009 event.  The scholarship provides full registration and up to $700 for travel & lodging expenses. Applications are now available through the Dayton office or online with a submission deadline of May 1st.  Both alumni and first timers may apply.

Deposit  A $100 deposit is required to enter your registration. That deposit is refundable only when:

• A first time applicant is not accepted
• An individual on the wait list is not offered a slot, or declines a slot offered after 9/1/09.

Cancellation policy & refunds

This policy applies to refunds for ANY reason, including medical, family and business.   This policy applies even if we fill your slot with another ringer.  If you desire, you can receive a copy of the DBE2009 recording at no charge if you cancel.

Fee refunds minus the $100 deposit will be made for written or email cancellations received by 7/31/09.  Cancellations received by 9/1/09 will be refunded 50% of registration fee less deposit; after 9/1/09, registration is not refundable.  See the table below for specific amounts.

Registration Forms & Due Dates

Distinctly Bronze Alumni
The following items are due as soon as possible and should be sent to the national office in one packet:

• Registration Form
• Handbell Assignment Preferences
• $100 Deposit

First Time Attendees
The following are due as soon as possible and should be sent to the national office in one packet:

• Registration Form
• Handbell Assignment Preferences
• Ringer Information Form
• $100 Deposit

The following should be sent to the national office by your references as soon as possible after your registration packet is sent:

• 2 Ringer Recommendations from a handbell director or colleague
• Your application will not be considered until all information is received.  You are responsible for insuring that recommendations are sent to the national office on your behalf.

All Registrants
Please make note of the following important dates and deadlines:

• Two weeks following receipt of all required forms – Alumni will be notified of acceptance to the event
• Three weeks following receipt of all required forms, including recommendations – First Time applicants will be notified of acceptance to the event
• Once all your required application forms and documents have been received and you’ve been accepted into the event,   the National Office will process your deposit payment and send you a receipt acknowledging that payment.  THIS IS YOUR CONFIRMATION.  If you DO NOT receive this confirmation, it is your responsibility to follow up with the National Office to make sure your application has been received.
• June 1, 2009 – Final payment is due to the national office
• June 15, 2009 – Bell assignments will be sent to all accepted registrants that have paid in full
• September 1 , 2009 – Last day to reserve a room at the Hilton New Bern, if space is available.

All items should be sent to the national office by fax (937-438-0434), e-mail (viverson@agehr.org), or regular mail (1055 E. Centerville Station Road, Dayton, OH  45459).  PLEASE NOTE – NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED UNTIL ALL REQUIRED FORMS AND DEPOSIT ARE RECEIVED BY THE NATIONAL OFFICE.

Daily Event Schedule

Thursday, October 8
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM                   Distinctly Bronze Registration (lunch on your own)
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM                    Welcome Announcements for ALL RINGERS
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM                    Rehearsal with break
5:00 PM                                  Hotel Check-in (if needed)
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM                    Dinner on your own
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM                    Rehearsal with break
                                              
Friday, October 9            
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM                  Rehearsal with break
10:00 AM - 2:10 PM                   Treble (D5-C9) Free (lunch on your own)
10:15 AM - 11:50 AM                 Bass (C2-C5) Sectional
11:50 AM - 4:00 PM                   Bass Free (lunch on your own)
2:10 PM - 3:45 PM                    Treble Sectional
3:45 PM - 4:00 PM                    Break
4:00 PM -7:00 PM                     Rehearsal with break
 7:00 PM                                 Dinner on your own

Saturday, October 10      
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM                   Rehearsal with break
12:00 PM -1:30 PM                    Lunch on your own
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM                    Rehearsal with break
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM                    Dinner on your own
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM                    Rehearsal
                                              
Sunday, October 11         
8:30 AM - 8:50 AM                    Optional worship
9:00 AM -11:30 AM                   Rehearsal with break
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM                 Hotel Checkout
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM                   Provided Lunch & Closing Announcements
1:00 - 3:00 PM                         Final Rehearsal
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM                    Dress, final prep & free time
4:00 PM                                  Concert
approx. 5:30 pm                       Strike stage, pack handbells and other equipment

Return to Top

Repertoire

Below is the repertoire for this year's event. Unless otherwise noted, selections are currently available through your handbell music retailer or will be soon. Availability information for other selections will be posted as it is available to us.

return to top

Additional Information

Ringer Evaluation    DB is unique in the skill and commitment of our ringers.   Every year, ringer event comments urge us to preserve and improve the level of ringing. To this end, all DB ringers are evaluated each year, and placed in one of three categories.  Those awarded Alumni status are automatically accepted at a future DB event.  Others may receive a warning letter which, while allowing the ringer to be accepted at a future DB event, outlines areas of improvement which would need to be evident at the ringer’s next DB appearance.  Finally, ringers whose preparation or skills were not deemed acceptable will be asked to reapply to attend any future DB event.

Event Communication  Electronic communication is the easiest and quickest way for important event information to be shared. The preferred communication route for DBE2009 will be through e-mail and a password protected message board on www.agehr.org. You will receive an email confirmation once your registration is complete and accepted that includes your password to this private section of our web site.  If you do not receive confirmation of your registration within a reasonable amount of time, please check with the AGEHR office - 800-878-5459 or by e-mail at viverson@agehr.org

Things to Bring   It is your responsibility to bring the following:

• Black, split-back notebook for music – please pre-punch your music
• Mallets appropriate for your assigned position
• Multiple pairs of gloves for rehearsing and black gloves for performance
• Band-Aids and moleskin (optional)
• A carpet square to stand on (optional)
• Music stand or riser – if you prefer using one
• Polishing cloth to keep your bells clean

William H. Griffin Scholarship Fund & David R. Davidson Composition Fund  Based on the past success of the silent auction and door prizes, we will continue to solicit and offer a unique selection of items. Proceeds from the auction will equally benefit the William H. Griffin Scholarship Fund, which offers one scholarship to the 2009 event, and the David R. Davidson Composition Fund, a new fund established in 2008 to support the composition of new, advanced works for handbells.

Dress   For rehearsals, casual and comfortable attire is suggested, and layers are a good idea.  Make sure your shoes will allow you to stand during long rehearsals.  Rain is always a possibility!

Concert dress will be your 2009 Distinctly Bronze East Polo Shirt and appropriate black skirt or slacks. Black gloves will be used for the concert.

Meals   Your registration includes Sunday lunch.   You have many options for other meals - there are many restaurants within walking distance of the conference center and hotel.

Will I need a car? Probably not!  As noted above, there are many restaurants within walking distance of the conference center and hotel. And, to be honest, our busy rehearsal schedule doesn’t give you much time to venture too far.  As for that precious free time on Friday, there are several options within a short walk.

Getting to New Bern New Bern has an airport (code EWN), which is serviced by USAirways Express from Charlotte and by Delta from Atlanta.   The Hilton New Bern offers a free airport shuttle to the hotel.  Simply call the hotel from the courtesy phones provided in the baggage claim area after you have claimed your bags.

More airlines serve Raleigh (code RDU), which is about 115 miles from New Bern.

Hotel Address  Hilton New Bern Riverside, 100 Middle Street, New Bern, NC 28560.  Phone 252.638.3585;