Maine Fall Ring 2020 

We are proud to announce the 2020 Maine Fall Ring, to be held at the Auburn Middle School in Auburn, ME on October 24, 2020. 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 eight massed-rung pieces with Area 1 clinicians Daniel K. Moore and Kim Visbaras. Kim will direct the Tins choirs in the performance of three selections. Dan will lead the Coppers choirs in the performance of two pieces, and will also direct three pieces to be rung by the combined choirs. We will conclude with a concert presentation of the massed-rung pieces, along with solo peformances by those individual ensembles who choose to share their talents!

About our Guest Clinicians

Daniel K. Moore of Rumford, RI retired from teaching and directing the Concert Handbell Ringers of the Wheeler School in Providence, RI after 37 years. His auditioned ensembles appeared frequently on television, performed with the Rhode Island Philharmonic, and in opening concerts at national and regional handbell festivals. Recordings include Joy To the World (Empire Brass), Inside Fessiwigs (Ed Sweeney), and on several solo CD's. Dan was a charter member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringer's committee to promote handbells in education, and subsequently served regional and national AGEHR boards in many capacities, most recently as Chair of AGEHR's second Certification Program. Dan is the director of the Jubilate Ringers of East Greenwich, RI; he continues to be a frequent clinician, organizer and conductor at handbell ringing events. His comprehensive handbell textbook, "Ringing RIGHT! From the Beginning", a valuable resource for ringers and directors alike, was published by HMA/AGEHR. Dan is also a New England regional representative for Malmark Bellcraftsmen.

About our Guest Clinicians

Kim Visbaras has been “hand-belling” in many capacities since 1994. He currently rings in the low bass for two choirs, the Auburn, ME United Methodist Church and the Town Lyne Ringers of Falmouth, ME, although he’s glad to fill in anywhere there is a need. He also was a founding member of 4 Park Avenue, a handbell quartet with its homebase in Auburn, ME, which performed at Faneuil Hall in Boston, LLBean in Freeport, ME, and numerous weddings and concerts in Maine. He arranged many classical and secular selections and medleys that the quartet was both challenged by and enjoyed presenting to its audiences. Kim has also performed at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, ME numerous times with the Brunswick, ME First Parish Ringers during the holiday season, including the 'Magic of Christmas' and 'Christmas with Cornils'. He has previously conducted the Maine Spring Ring Tins Division and occasionally fills in as director of his local choirs. Kim has taught numerous classes at both the Maine Spring Ring and Area 1 Festival Conferences, including African Drums, bass bell techniques, ensemble ringing and musicality. He also is an accomplished accordionist, and can even play the didgeridoo!!! Kim is honored, humbled and privileged to again be leading the Tins Division for the 2020 Maine Spring Ring.

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, including housing, mileage and meals. An early-bird discount  of $3 per ringer applies to all registrations received by September 25. 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 level choirs will prepare three pieces, and Coppers level choirs will prepare two pieces in addition to the three massed 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.

Final Concert

Kindly encourage your family and friends to join us for the 4:30 pm concert, which is open to the public at no cost. An opportunity for a free-will donation will be offered for those who wish to help with expenses.

Workshops:

Get to know your instrument. We’ll disassemble and reassemble a bell so you will know the parts and their function. Learn how to make adjustments and keep your bells and chimes in smooth, effortless working order. Bring problem bells and Melody Chimes to class (along with your bell tool kit) and we’ll work on them.

A basic introduction to the dance known as weaving. Learn how to move smoothly and effortlessly to play multiple bells. We’ll work through some 3-bell and 4-bell examples. Feel free to bring any music from home or from the Spring Ring repertoire that you think involves a weaving issue. Be sure to bring a notebook, your gloves, and your dancing shoes!

Are you intimidated by easy or complex rhythms? Join us in decoding and executing rhythm patterns usually found in Levels 1-4. This workshop does not use bells. All rhythms are performed through clapping, and movement, etc. This class will help you master a variety of patterns at your comfort and challenge levels.

This session will cover many of the unique aspects of bass bell ringing. We will explore how to make bass ringing seamless and musical without causing any physical harm to you or to the bells. Topics covered will include bass bell runs, musicality, bell changes, techniques, and damping. This is a hands-on class. Bring gloves.

Have you ever watched a solo handbell performance and thought: “Gosh, that looks like something I think I would like to try?” Or are you ready to step outside of the comfort zone of a choir of ringers to ring a piece on your own? Maybe you’re not quite ready to ring a solo piece but just want to see what it’s all about? This is the workshop for you! In this workshop, we will go through some of the basic steps such as set up, keyboard order (or NOT), music selection, and other tricks of the trade. I will also share some very easy solos with you that are good “starting points” for your future solo endeavors. This will be a very hands-on workshop, and hopefully you will walk away with the confidence to take those next steps in your handbell career!

Learn to play steel pan with Planet Pan, a high school steelband from Blue Hill. No experience necessary! Guided by members of Planet Pan and their director, you will learn the basics of how to play rhythmic patterns and melodies on the pan of your choice (there are five different steel pans ranging from high to low voices). By the end of the workshop you will have learned a simple calypso tune by ear. If you can ring a handbell, you can play pan!

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 MSR20 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.

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.

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

Meals

Bottled water will be provided for all participants thanks to Poland Springs. A continental breakfast will also be available in the early morning.  Lunch can be pre-purchased for $8.00 during registration. We will offer your choice of New York Deli style sandwiches (tuna, ham, turkey and veggie) on either ciabatta or wheat bread.  Also included will be a side salad, fruit, and pickle.  You may bring your own lunch, but please keep in mind that we cannot refrigerate any items.

Financial Assistance

Scholarships are available on a variety of levels. If you are in need of financial assistance in order to attend this event, please review the scholarship information and application directions on the Area 1 website's scholarships page.