Maine Spring Ring 2018 

We are proud to announce the 2018 Maine Spring Ring, to be held at the Auburn Middle School in Auburn, ME on April 7, 2018. All Maine handbell ringers **are welcome and encouraged to participate in this exciting and growing event. The day will include participation in workshops, as well as instructional rehearsals of seven massed-rung pieces with Area 1 clinician and conductor Lawrence A. Berdensey, director of the Hockanum Valley Ringers of Vernon, CT. We will conclude with a concert presentation of the massed-rung pieces, along with solo performances by those individual ensembles who choose to share their talents!

About our Guest Clinician

Lawrence A.Berdensey is currently the Band Director at West Side Middle School, in Groton, CT. He has taught band for the Groton Public Schools since 1985, where he has served as an elementary school band director before being appointed to Fitch Middle School in 1991. His bands have won superior ratings at adjudication festivals. His symphonic band is often invited to perform at the Naval Submarine Base, in Groton, for special occasions and events.

Lawrence has been directing handbells since 2004 and was the former director of handbells at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, in Gales Ferry, CT. His music ministry included two youth ensembles, an adult choir, as well as, an adult and teen quartet. Lawrence is a bronze level ringer, who formerly rang with the Shoreline Ringers, a community based handbell ensemble in Southeastern, Connecticut. In January 2012, Lawrence became the director of the Hockanum Valley Ringers, a five octave community handbell ensemble based in Vernon, CT. Lawrence has been a clinician throughout New England. He has taught classes at the Area 1 Festival Conferences, the Directors Seminar, Spring Rings, and the Fall Skills Building Workshops. Lawrence has been a guest conductor at the CT, NH, and MA Spring Rings, and the Family Handbell Camp. During his spare time, Lawrence enjoys creating gourmet meals with his three daughters.

Lawrence holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Connecticut (Storrs) and a Masters of Science degree in Education from Southern Connecticut State University. Professional memberships include the National Association for Music Educators, Handbell Musicians of America, Groton Education Association, and the Connecticut Educators Association. Lawrence resides in Gales Ferry.

Event Details

Fees:

All ringers, including directors or chaperones who want to ring, must be registered as ringers. The $30.00 per ringer registration fee covers building use charges, administrative costs, continental breakfast, and all clinician honorarium, housing, mileage and meals. An early-bird discount of $3/ringer applies to all registrations received by February 28. Youth ringers (under age 18) and non-ringing directors or chaperones may attend free of charge. One adult chaperone must be registered for each 6 youth ringers attending

Repertoire:

The massed-rung repertoire is listed here to the left. Tins and Coppers level choirs will each prepare two pieces in addition to the three pieces that will be rung by all attending ensembles. In accordance with the Handbell Musicians of America guidelines, all music used must be original purchased copies. No photocopies will be allowed.

Workshops:

The extraordinary number of handbell techniques currently appearing in the music is staggering. We need to execute them all musically, safely and accurately. That's what this class is about

If you can close your eyes and picture a pattern woven into cloth, then you already understand the intricacy and rewards of weaving handbells. We'll provide some tips and exercises, and drills for you to take home and practice so that basic weaving skills will be a part of your ringing toolkit.

Time to get your groove on! This is a hands on, dynamic session. Some instruments will be provided but you are encouraged to bring your own or borrowed djembes, congas, bongos, talking drums, sangbas, kenkenis, shakers, etc. Let’s have some fun!

Oh no, your director retired and you were elected (selected or hoodwinked) to be the new handbell choir director. “What do I do next?”This session will touch on the basics of conducting, setting and changing tempo, cueing, use of baton, rehearsal techniques and most importantly“what to wear!” Please bring gloves and a baton, if you have one. I will have extras.

Have you ever forgotten to pick up a bell in time for a bell change? Have you ever put a marking on your music that didn’t make sense to you at the next rehearsal? Then this session is for you! We’ll explore ways to make markings in your music that are consistent and concise so that you can easily remember from rehearsal to rehearsal what you are meant to do. Then you can go beyond the notes and make music.

What are those black dots, squiggly lines, and foreign words on the page? Review notes and rests, key signatures, clef signs, rhythmic patterns, codas, etc. End the session with the performance of a “spoken invention”or three part chant with clapping called “My Dog Treed a Rabbit.”

Music Swap Table

Clean out your file cabinets before you come and bring any handbell music that you are not going to use again. We will have a free music swap table. Leave the music you don’t want any more and take home something new to try.

Solo Performances:

We invite your choir to share a “solo” selection during the final concert. Youth ensembles are especially encouraged to share their talents with us! Please fill out the appropriate information on the registration form if you wish to perform a solo piece. Solo performances will be chosen by the MSR18 committee based on the number of ensembles who wish to perform. 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.

Partial Choirs and "Wanderers":

If you are planning to ring just the massed selections, you are encouraged to attend with a partial choir of any size. Ringers without a group are welcome! We will match you up as best we can.

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. Please be advised that there will be no dedicated changing rooms available. Each choir should bring bells, mallets, foam, table covers, music, music stands and tables.

Meals:

A continental breakfast will be provided with registration. Lunch will be offered for $7.50 and will include a variety of New York Deli style sandwiches, with fruit, chips, pickles, dessert and water. You are welcome to bring your own lunch, but please keep in mind that we cannot refrigerate any items brought in.

Financial Assistance