Ting, Clang, Jingle, Bang! - Cathy Moklebust
An overview of percussion instruments typically used in handbell music, playing them correctly, percussion notation, ideas for composers, choosing quality instruments.

While many people know Cathy Moklebust as a handbell director and composer, they do not know that she has a strong background in percussion. She earned both her B.A. (Percussion, 1982) and M.Ed. (Teacher Education/Music, 1988) at South Dakota State University, in her hometown of Brookings, SD. She plays in the percussion section of the Karl L. King Municipal Band in Fort Dodge, Iowa and has performed as principal percussionist with several professional bands and orchestras throughout the upper Midwest. Cathy's full bio can be found here.

There will also be a "Meet the Composer" session with Cathy Moklebust. The music to be used in that session is:

1. "It Is Well with My Soul" - Alfred 20206
2. "Jazz Waltz on Praise to the Lord" - Choristers Guild CGB435 (Handbell part), CGB434 (Full Score),
                        CGRP13 (Reproducible Inst. parts)
3. "God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens" - Choristers Guild CGB452
4. "Be Still, My Soul" - Alfred 25338
   
   
   What Comes After Four? - Michael Helman
   Are you a little mystified by more complex meter signatures such as 7/8, 5/4, or 10/8? Do you still get a little confused counting in 3/8, 6/8, or 9/8? Well then this is the class for you. Both ringers and directors will benefit from this session on counting, directing, and ringing mixed meter music.

   Michael Helman is currently Director of Music/Organist at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Wilmington, DE where he directs 4 handbell choirs, two adult vocal choirs, youth choir and one of three children's choirs. He is an active composer of handbell, organ, and choral music with over a hundred pieces in print. Michael has also won nine composition contests including the 1997, 1998, and 2000 AGEHR National Composition Contests. Mr. Helman is in demand as a handbell festival director and clinician all over the country. His complete biography can be found here.

   There will also be a "Meet the Composer" session with Michael Helman. The music to be used in that sesson is:

   1. "Nocturne No. 3" - AGEHR  36029
   2. "Variations on Ein Feste Burg"- AGEHR 35240
   3. "Meditations of the Heart" - Beckenhorst  HB253
   4. "Dance Before the Lord" - Alfred 23777
      
      
      Ringing for Excellence Can't Hurt - Anne Cotter
      "No pain, no gain" does NOT apply to bell ringing! If it hurts to ring, there is big trouble in Ringing City! New and veteran ringers alike, come experience the proper techniques to keep you ringing until you want to quit, not have to! Then learn to apply these techniques to amaze your congregation with astounding visual excellence!

      ANNE COTTER, Arizona State Chair Elect for AGEHR, rings professionally with the bell duet "Go Bellistic!" Her musical background began at age 5 with piano and age 7 with cello. She has been ringing bells for almost 10 years and recently began teaching with AGEHR. Her passion is promoting proper ringing techniques for health, visual beauty and longevity in ringing.
      
      
      Buckets and Pails - Douglas Benton
      This hands-on class will explore safe and musical ways to ring, damp and utilize various articulations with bass bells, specifically F#3 and down. Bring your gloves, polishing cloths, muscles and a bass bell - if you have one!

      DOUGLAS J. BENTON has been directing handbell choirs since 1973. He is a published composer/arranger of handbell, choral, organ, brass and orchestral music. Doug is a frequent contributor to OVERTONES, writing articles on techniques, Conducting, and the first major research on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and handbell ringing. He is an internationally respected Clinician and is in great demand nationally as a Festival Massed Conductor. Doug has served the AGEHR as State Chair, Area XI Chair and as Chair of the Director Education Department. Currently, he is Director of Music Ministries at Gold Canyon United Methodist Church in Gold Canyon, Arizona.
      
      
      Assessing Your Ringer’s Skills - Lisa Phillips
      How do you know where to assign a ringer? What skills and techniques does your group need help with? Where do you begin? This class will help a director assess the skills of their ringers without "testing", and to have fun in the process! Although this class is designed for directors, ringers and prospective directors are also welcome to attend. Discussion and active participation included - be sure to bring gloves!

      LISA PHILLIPS was introduced to handbells at age 11. She recently moved from Colorado to Raleigh, NC and rings with The Raleigh Ringers. Lisa has directed handbells at her church, performs as a solo ringer, and rings at every occasion possible, thus providing Lisa the opportunity to travel the world! Lisa loves to introduce new ringers to the art of handbells, and has taught a variety of classes at local events.
      

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      What Did She/He Mean? - Marilyn Chandler
      Is there a member in your choir that doesn't seem to know what to do, misses what the director says, doesn't always damp their bell completely or gets lost easily? This unique "hands on" class introduces the experience of ringing with a hearing impairment. Suggestions will be given to help make rehearsals easier for all the choir members and the director. Please bring your music folders to this class.

      MARILYN CHANDLER is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a degree in music education, and studied handbells at Don Allured's Week of Handbells in Michigan over 20 years. She's directed youth and adult choirs and led workshops in a number of states. Marilyn is the founder and AGEHR appointed member of the Donald E. Allured Original Composition Award. She directs a community handbell choir in Arizona.
      
      
      The Cup Game - Josh Fitzgerald
      This fun, exciting, and challenging game will allow you to learn bell related skills in a social setting. Use of coordination, rhythm, counting, hand dexterity, and cooperation with partners will increase your music ability and help develop evenness and strength with both hands. Even veterans may learn something new! Bring your energy and leave your gloves at the table!

      JOSH FITZGERALD has played handbells for over 10 years, and has traveled extensively to teach and perform. Recently, he toured with Sonos Handbell Ensemble in Japan. Josh is the Handbell Director at Arvada Presbyterian and St. Timothy's Episcopal and rings with Bells of the Rockies. He is working towards a degree in Management and Theatre at Metro State and serves as STEP Coordinator.
      
      
      Ensemble Techniques from the Bottom Up - Josh Fitzgerald and Joan Swim
      (See bio and picture above for Josh Fitzgerald)
      Get the low down on the high road to ensemble basics. Move from the safety of a choir position to enhance your performance in a small group setting. Learn weaving, parallel motion, and much more! Gain problem solving skills for bell assignments, time saving techniques, and thinking outside the box. Bring your gloves, your smiles, and your enthusiastic ringing partners.

      JOAN SWIM has rung handbells for 21 years and directed youth bells for 16 years. While in Grand Junction,CO she played in Kokopelli Bells, and toured Europe. She enjoys teaching ringers to have fun with performances and is known for pushing the envelope. Now in Cheyenne for a year, she is enjoying her new choirs and working as a nurse.
      
      
      

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      Shelley(4-in-Hand) - Janine Allen
      Participants will be led through sequential instructions for the setups and ringing of the various treble techniques. Discover the challenges and solutions to execute those stepwise, third and octave sequences. Hands-on experiences and original drills and exercises will be used to make you a "Terrific Treble Ringer."

      JANINE ALLEN is the instructor of the Shelley/4-in-Hand Class. She works as a Technology Specialist and Gifted Resource Teacher in Forest Lake, MN. Janine has enjoyed ringing bells in various choirs and ensembles since 1983 and currently tours with Twin Cities Bronze. Solo ringing is one of her "passions." Janine has taught treble handbell techniques in over eight states.
      
      
      Energize the Battery - Lauren Odle
      This class is designed for those ringers in the "thick" of it from B4 to B5. Our instructors will address those "handedness" issues. Find your way through chromatic sequences, key changes, rhythmic challenges, and fast changing switches. Learn how to successfully differentiate between harmonic and melodic emphasis. Discover the "secrets" to bring out those hidden melody lines.

      LAUREN ODLE is in her 4th season with Twin Cities Bronze, where she specializes in Battery ringing. She says she first joined Twin Cities Bronze for the challenge, but stayed for the music and friends. Lauren has a BA in music performance and she currently teaches Spanish in an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program Junior High in Minneapolis, MN.
      
      
      

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      Get a Handle on Handchimes - Monica McGowan
      This course conveys the fascinating history and development of handchimes as a versatile instrument. Special populations, pre-school and general music classrooms, children's singing ensembles and handbell choirs across the country are discovering and using handchimes. You will learn beginning to advanced "chiming techniques," discover versatile ways to enhance repertoire and find compositions that enhance this unique "voice."
      
      
      Bell Trees and Processionals - Twin Cities Bronze
      Learn how easy it is to write, teach and learn a processional...on the spot! Discover some of the secrets to provide inspiration and instruction when putting pen to paper. Do you find that you are short-handed for a service or scheduled worship presentation? Need something special for a commemorative church occasion on a few days notice? Use a belltree or two with your handchime choir for that special sparkle for the service or that last minute request. Walk away with new resources and ideas in hand. The answer is as easy as walk, two, tree!
      
      
      The Art of Change Ringing - William (Bill) Wood
      Handbells exist today because of change ringing. In this workshop we will learn a bit about the history of change ringing with tower bells and then, with handbells, experience rounds (not "Row Your Boat"), cross and stretch, tenor, treble, and Plain Hunt. You’ll go home with a simple change to ring for fun, performance, or even in a worship service.

      WILLIAM (BILL) WOOD became involved in handbells in 1980 as director of handbell choirs at First United Methodist Church in Portales, NM where he continues to direct handbells and serve as organist. His handbell choirs have participated in festivals at local, state, area, and national levels and he chairs the annual Eastern NM Fall Handbell Festival which began in 1993. Bill served two terms as Area XI Secretary-Treasurer and was Area Representative to the AGEHR national board from 2001 to 2004. His published handbell arrangements include De Colores, O God Our Help in Ages Past, Gladiolus, and The All-American Hometown Band. He holds BA, MS, and PhD degrees from Westmar College, Kansas State University, and the University of Oklahoma. He taught elementary music in Jefferson County (Colorado) for seven years and retired as professor of music at Eastern New Mexico University in 1999 after 31 years of service.
      

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      Discovering Music Through Handbells - Shirley Wichern/Valerie Saker
      Participants in this workshop will explore materials in the new Discovering Music Through Handbells curriculum. Geared for elementary schools, teachers will appreciate this easy format that requires very little preparation. An overview will be given of Ringing Essentials to Build On authored by Shirley Wichern and 16 Bars to Build On composed by Valerie Saker. Discover how easy it is to instruct and inspire students with this unique start up kit that easily moves from Rote ringing to Note Ringing.

      SHIRLEY WICHERN has a background in piano studies and is a Certified Colorado Teacher. She was a handbell soloist and directed a youth bell choir for 12 years. Currently, she is part of the duet ringing team, Reflection Ringers.
      VALERIE SAKER has a Bachelor of Music Degree with emphasis in classical guitar and organ. She is a published composer/arranger for STEP and has currently formed Discover Ring Music Publishing to distribute her own works. Since 1994, she has been a member of several performing handbell groups and now rings duets with Shirley Wichern in their ensemble, Reflection Ringers.
      
      
      How Do You Do It? - Monica S. McGowan
      Hear how a chance encounter of a touring handbell choir led Monica McGowan to pursue her passion, recognize her gifts and talents and work to become a qualified handbell instructor/teacher/mentor.  Perhaps some of the challenges and experiences she has had along the way will provide insights for you to prepare for rehearsals, prepare the music and unlock the inner musician inside you.  Bring your thoughts and challenges as this is sure to be an engaging exchange!
      
      
      Maori Sticks - Caroline Mallory/Choc Kettering
      Be ready to laugh in this fun-filled class where you will learn the rhythmic stick game of the Maori people of New Zealand. Pre-requisite: Due to the nature of the games participants must be able to able to work on the floor for the duration of the class. Observers are also welcome.

      CAROLINE MALLORY and CHOC KETTERING had the opportunity to learn about Maori sticks when they attended the 6th International Handbell Symposium in Adelaide, Australia in 1994. Caroline has been ringing and directing bells since 1982. She directs 2 church handbell choirs and the Timberline Handbell Ensemble, rings with Rocky Mountain Ringers and is the Area XI Chair Elect. Choc has been ringing for 16. She rings with 2 church groups and the Timberline Handbell Ensemble.
      
      
      If You Had Your ’Druthers (Share Your Vision) - Debbie Rice/Linda Maloney
      A roundtable discussion for ringers and directors with Area XI Chair Linda Maloney and Debbie Rice, current AGEHR President.  Come prepared to share your ideas, your expectations, and hear some good news about the future of Area XI and AGEHR.

      DEBBIE RICE is the President of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. Debbie directs the handbell ministry for Becks Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC. This ministry includes multicultural and intergenerational choir groups for all ages. Her academic degrees include a bachelor's degree in music and a master's degree in opera and musical theatre. She has authored numerous articles for Overtones and stays involved as a handbell clinician and conductor for denominational, national and international events. Debbie began her affiliation with the AGEHR National Board in 1995 as Area III's Chair-Elect. Debbie has chaired numerous committees and held the following elected Offices: Area III Chair (1997-99), Area Representative to AGEHR Executive Committee (1998-99), National Secretary (1999-2003) and President-Elect (2003-2005).   Debbie resides in Winston-Salem, NC with her family.
      LINDA MALONEY has been a church musician for 40+/- years as a pianist, organist, and choir director. She was introduced to handbells in 1999.  She has served as American Guild of English Handbell Ringers Chair for New Mexico and currently Chair for the AGEHR - Area XI.  Linda is the founder and director of CRESCENDO, an auditioned handbell ensemble at South Mountain Elementary School. Linda is involved in all aspects of music at St. Andrews’ United Methodist Church serving as the Director of Music Ministries. She is a part time public relations and marketing research consultant for Cooney, Watson and Associates, Albuquerque and The New Mexico Conference Methodist Foundation.  In her spare time, Linda enjoys quilting, a fun round of golf, and cooking. Linda is married to Jerry Maloney and together they enjoy 5 grown children and their families. Life on the "other side of the mountain" is shared with their critters, Cricket the Dog, Dingo Dog; Sugar and Spice (the dwarf goats); and cats Ratzeputz and Whiddy.
      
      
      Maintenance and TLC For Bells and Chimes
      Malmark Bells and Choirchimes - Betty Jenik

      Bring gloves, polishing cloths, and a problem bell or chime to this class Are you afraid to take a bell apart?  Do you know what to do to maintain bells and chimes? Learn how to disassemble a bell, examine and adjust the yoke assembly, and put it back together again as well tension adjustments and proper cleaning techniques.  Handouts available to help your choir provide tender loving care to your equipment.

      BETTY JENIK is the Colorado Malmark, Inc. Representative and has been a handbell director and ringer for over 30 years. She has conducted many workshops, is a former Area XI Chair, and is the CO-AGEHR Membership Chair. She is currently busy with two fairly new community choirs, youth and adult, based in Monument, Colorado.

      
      

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