WHAT IF....

You have finally made that purchase of 3 octaves of handbells that you know is going to make beautiful music…..but, someone forgot to tell people how wonderful it would be, and only 6 people showed up for the first rehearsal! Now what?

1.Turn to the “no brainer music” arrangements to encourage more folks to give the bells a try. Aka…”Ring-a-Long Series” by Ardis Freeman.  Collections of hymns, classics, carols, folk songs, where the words are printed out and each ringer takes one note and one book,  such as C and anytime the C is needed to accompany the song, it will be circled and when it is underlined, you damp. It is useful  “no brainer music”.

2.Use that same “no brainer music” to accompany hymns in worship .

3.If it is the Christmas Season….get out there and ring a sing-a-long with Sunday School Classes, church dinners, small group socials, etc.

4.Toll the hour of worship using your largest bell.

5.Ring Westminster Chimes to signal the start of worship, prior to the Prelude.   Stick around and toll the hour at the close of the worship service.

6.Play a very simple descant to a favorite hymn.

7.Accent scripture readings.

8.Invite an accomplished group to come in either for a concert or to simply lead the music portions of your worship service. Select carefully because this may be what you want to emulate in days to come.

9.If you as a new director are stumbling around not knowing quite how to proceed, call a seasoned director that you do know, or know of and don’t be afraid to ask for some advice.

10.Keep the bells visible and in front of your congregation….if you aren’t getting response within a month, I would recommend you offer to teach a class entitled “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Handbells But Were Afraid to Ask”.  State up front that this does not mean they are signed up for bell choir….they are simply signed up to learn about handbells….that is a short step away from getting them “Hooked on Handbells”! Good Luck!

WHAT IF….

As the ringing year comes to a close in late May/June/July depending on the year, I try to have my ringers evaluate themselves, using a SELF-ASSESSMENT / PROGRESS REPORT / GOALS  form that they fill out and turn in to me at our End-of-Year-Party. I thought perhaps you might be interested in the responses my teens and adults gave to one of the questions:

“I could improve my ringing skills if……………………………….……..”

11.We switched spots more

12.I worked harder trying to read my music by myself

13.I listened to other ringers more and worked on dynamics

14.I always counted!

15.I work harder on memorizing music

16.I counted out loud more

17.I ask for help when I need it.

18.I paid closer attention.

19.We do more difficult pieces

20.We had more challenging pieces

21.We all counted out loud more

22.We switched bell positions  more often

23.I continue practicing consistently

24.Watch and learn from the more experienced ringers in choir

25.Practice reading music outside of rehearsals

26.I stay where I am…the treble has been a challenge compared to ringing in the bass

27.Given time to figure out counting and changes

28.I had more opportunities for small group ensemble ringing

29.I have the opportunity to play more at different positions

30.We had more frequent practices

31.I practiced weaving even more and worked at memorization skills

32.I could be at rehearsal every week

33.I would listen better and learn

34.I would practice what Mrs. A teaches me

35.I would trust my own abilities

I suspect you can peg some of your ringers into this “what if” equation. It becomes clear to me who are the more advanced ringers and which ones will get there…but the main point is, it seems that all of them are encouraged to keep excelling. I think I have all these folks… “HOOKED on HANDBELLS”!