Handbell Musicians of America Area 1

High School Ring Out 2017 

Area 1 is proud to announce its 18th annual High School Ring Out, to be held at the Souhegan High School in Amherst, NH on November 11, 2017. We invite all youth ringers and choirs to participate in this exciting and growing event. The day will include instructional rehearsals of three massed-rung pieces with Area 1 clinician and conductor Brian Seemann. The day will conclude with a closing concert and an opportunity for individual choirs to present solo pieces. During the day there will be breaks for snacks and a BYO lunch, with plenty of time to get to know other ringers. Multi-generational, adult and partial choirs are welcome to attend.

About Our Guest Clinician

Brian Seemann has extensive musical expertise, with special focus on handbells. He began ringing in grade school with the youth handbell choir at Whitehouse United Methodist Church in Readington, New Jersey. He moved to Boston to study composition at The Boston Conservatory before returning to Philadelphia and majoring in urban planning at Temple University. He has led several church handbell choirs, and since 2013, has been Artistic Director and Conductor for the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble. Brian currently lives in Boston, MA, where he is now the Artistic Director of the New England Ringers, and the Director of Events for Inspire Arts & Music, a non-profit arts organization. Brian spent four summers marching with the Jersey Surf and Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, and through his current job continues to remain involved in the drum corps activity. 

More Event Details

Partial Choirs:

If you are planning to ring just the massed selections, you are encouraged to attend with a partial choir of any size. Even if you only have one or two high school aged ringers, you should bring them so they can experience this event. Massed ringing does not require full choirs. You are also welcome to fill out your choir with chaperons or other adult ringers — especially if you would like to offer a solo selection — but remember that all ringers must pay the $20.00 registration fee.

Sharing:

We invite your choir to share a “solo” selection during the concert. Please fill out the appropriate information on the registration form. This must be done in advance for planning and programming. We reserve the right to limit the number of solo selections. You will be assigned a short time during lunch to run through your piece once in the performance area. Please be prompt and courteous to other groups.

What to Bring:

Each Ringer should bring gloves and comfortable shoes. If your choir has a uniform or concert dress you are encouraged to wear it for the day or the performance. Each choir should bring bells, mallets, foam, table covers, music stands and tables. Unfortunately, rental tables are not available at this location.

Lunch:

Lunch is not provided with registration. Choirs coming for the day may wish to have each ringer bring their own bag lunch. A list of local fast food / take-out establishments will be provided for choirs that need to purchase lunches. Some snacks and water will be available for purchase on-site.