WELOVEHANDBELLS
United in Bronze and Genesis Ringers Handbell Choirs
2022 HANDBELL DISCOVERY
United in Bronze and Genesis Ringers Handbell Choirs are excited to host the Alberta Guild of Handbell Ringers (ALGHER) 2022 Handbell Discovery at St. Albert United Church.
Are you ready to “Fall into Ringing”?
Whether you are new to handbell ringing, a veteran ringer, or a young person wanting to ring with other youth ringers, this in-person event is for you!
Registrants can choose to be a part of the Level 1 & 2 (Beginning) choir, the Level 3 & 4 (Intermediate) choir, or the Youth Choir. A variety of breakout sessions on topics of particular interest will also be offered.
See below for more information.
FEATURED HANDBELL CONDUCTORS
JUANITA PICKERL
Juanita Pickerl has been involved in handbells for over 30 years. Under the mentorship of Fred Merrett and Phyllis Shanks, Juanita honed her skills as both a ringer and director. She is a past member of the ALGEHR Executive and has attended many local, provincial and national handbell workshops. She completed a wish on her bucket list in 2016 when she and several members of her choir attended the 17th International Handbell Symposium in Vancouver. For the past 23 years, Juanita has directed the handbell music ministry known as Parkland Bells of St. Andrew’s United Church in Spruce Grove. At its peak, Parkland Bells was composed of two choirs with 25 ringers offering four community concerts per year. Juanita loves the sound of the bells, enjoys sharing their heavenly tones with any who will listen and has been richly blessed by the many wonderful people and experiences brought into her life through the handbells.
DEBBIE RICE
Debbie was a university professor for 12 years with a school of music and has served with 6 denominations in church music ministries. Her international conducting assignments have included work in 20 countries with future international handbell festivals to include Poland, Czech Republic and Ireland. Prior to permanent residency in Canada, she served HMA as Area Chair, National Secretary, National President, and was awarded Honorary Life, the Guild's highest honor. Debbie is also Past Executive Director of the International Handbell Committee.
BREAKOUT SESSION CHOICES
This event has two breakout sessions where you can choose from a variety of topics.
Friday Breakout Session
OCTOBER 14 -- CHOICE #1 LEARN TO RING
Brand new to ringing? Limited bell experience? This is just the session you will need in order to have a successful Discovery Experience. Basic ringing techniques will be covered.
Friday Breakout Session
OCTOBER 14 -- CHOICE #2 READ AND RING
Join handbell repertoire expert, Camille Ream from Handbells etc, to plan your post-pandemic performance program! We will read and ring music suited to community, school and church handbell choirs. If you are not a director, consider attending for some sight-reading practice. Maybe you will find a new piece of music that your director will also love!
Saturday Breakout Session
OCTOBER 15 -- CHOICE #1 POLISH UP YOUR RINGING TECHNIQUES
Join Handbell Director Debbie Rice as she offers ideas and tips to improve your ringing technique. Shakes, Marts, plucks, echos are some of the special techniques that Debbie will cover. Take your ringing to the next level.
Saturday Breakout Session
OCTOBER 15 -- CHOICE #2 DIRECTING 101 SCHELLENBERG SESSION COMMUNITY
Whether you’ve been conducting for years or were recently drafted to lead your choir, this session will address topics such as
Purpose: Why do we need a conductor?
Stance
Basic Beat Patterns
What does the left or, non-primary hand, do?
Communication—cues, gesture and words
Putting it all together.
A few words on rehearsal planning
Saturday Breakout Session
OCTOBER 15 - CHOICE #3 BELL TREE TECHNIQUES
Bell trees can enliven a performance, challenge a ringer, and allow choirs to attempt pieces when there are not enough ringers. Join bell tree expert, Isabela Ramos to learn more about bell tree setup and technique, music for bell trees, and ideas for when to use bell trees in worship, concerts, and special settings.
Saturday Breakout Session
OCTOBER 15 -- CHOICE #4 HANDBELLS / CHIMES IN THE ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM
If you are a teacher and are blessed to have bells in your school, this session is for you. Join music teacher and United in Bronze ringer, Karen Abrahamson to find out how she utilizes handbells and chimes in her classroom to meet curricular outcomes in the elementary music program.
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