New Hampshire Spring Ring 2020 

We are proud to announce the 2020 New Hampshire Spring Ring, to be held at the Abbot Downing School in Concord, NH on April 4, 2020. All handbell ringers*are welcome and encouraged to participate in this exciting event*. The day will include participation in workshops, as well as instructional rehearsals of three massed-rung pieces with Area 1 clinician Daniel K. Moore. 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 Clinician

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.

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 $5 per ringer applies to all registrations received by March 1. One adult chaperone must be registered for each 6 youth ringers attending. Non-ringing directors or chaperones may attend free of charge. 

Repertoire

The massed-rung repertoire is listed here to the left. 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 4:00 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:

Here's your chance to learn how to dance around those crazy chromatics! We'll cover the basics of weaving 3 and 4 (or more) bells. Bring Gloves to this class. Limit 10 participants. Offered during both workshop sessions.

Learn how to properly pick up, ring, and put down those big bass bells! Bring gloves to this class.

Would you like to be more comfortable malleting? How to change from ringing to malleting? Bring Gloves and mallets to this class.

Change Ringing is a team sport and a highly coordinated musical performance that involves a group of people ringing rhythmically a set of tuned bells through a series of changing sequences. Bring Gloves to this class. Limit 12 participants.

Using percussion to improve your rhythm skills while adding color to your handbell performances. If you have hand drums or other percussion instruments bring them with you to this class.

Do you want to work on your sight-reading skills? This is your chance! You will receive a piece of music chosen by our Clinician when you arrive to read through it and work on making music from the start. The piece will be performed at the afternoon open concert. This is a two-part class. Participants are required to sign-up for both workshop sessions.

Solo Performances

We invite your choir/ensemble to share a “solo” selection during the final concert. Please fill out the appropriate information during registration if you wish to perform a solo piece. Solo performances will be limited to the first six requests, which must be submitted no later than April 1. 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 "Orphan" Ringers

All ringers are encouraged to attend alone or with a partial choir of any size. Ringers without a group are welcome! You may come with your own tables and equipment, or asked to be placed as "orphan" ringers with another choir. You may specify to be placed with a group with whom you have arranged to ring, or have us find a spot for you. 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. Each choir (partial or whole) should bring bells, mallets, foam, tables, table covers, music, and music stands. If your choir has a uniform or concert attire, you are encouraged to wear it for the performance.

Lunch

In order to save on registration costs, and with the many dietary concerns, lunch will be "bring-your-own". That way you can bring exactly what you want or need. Coffee and water will be provided. ONLY closed water bottles will be allowed on the ringing floor.

Financial Assistance