Spring Forward for Handbells 2025
A Handbell Workshop for the Individual Ringer
Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm
Church of the Apostles UCC
1850 Marietta Avenue
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603
Announcing PHE’s handbell workshop for the individual ringer.
The Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble is pleased to be hosting a Spring Forward for Handbells Workshop once
more. This year, we are presenting the workshop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
This workshop is designed for those of you who are handbell ringers looking to improve your ringing skills. We
have added two new classes especially for those of you who are handbell directors. Participants will have the
opportunity to take three classes taught by members of the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble, a local auditioned
community group.
The workshop is not an event for massed ringing or an event where you need to prepare any music in
advance. This workshop is designed to improve ringing skills for individuals
But wait – there’s more! That same afternoon at 4:00 in the same location, PHE will perform a complete full ensemble concert.
What to Bring: Gloves – that’s it! All bells, tables, foam, equipment, music, mallets and chimes will be provided for you.
Class descriptions and registration information are provided below, and questions may be directed to workshop@phillybells.org
The registration price is $25 per ringer. The registration price includes class materials and refreshments. Ask us about full choir group discounts. Each ringer will need to register individually.
Each ringer should select three classes for enrollment. The schedule of classes is shown on the registration form below. Please select one class for each time slot.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 21, 2025. Space is limited, so register early! We will not be able to exceed maximum capacity.
Schedule:
9:30 – 9:50 Registration and Welcome
10:00 – 10:45 Class Session 1
10:55 – 11:40 Class Session 2
11:40 – 12:00 Refreshment Break
12:00 – 12:45 Class Session 3
12:45 – 1:00 Wrap-Up
*Be sure to come back at 4:00 for the full concert
CLASSES OFFERED
FOR The New Ringer
BASIC RINGING – This class will cover how to hold bells and chimes with proper ringing technique - both to avoid fatigue and to promote musicality; how to damp the sound; timing and how to coordinate with neighboring ringers.
HOW DO I COUNT THAT? – This class will provide instruction on the distinction between rhythm, tempo, and meter. Participants will learn essential rhythms and an introduction to syncopation and dotted rhythms, all in various simple meters and compound meters.
HOW DO I MARK MY MUSIC? – This class will make your pencil your best friend in learning to ring bell music. How do I write the beats? How do I write the bell changes? How do I note the dynamics, tempo changes, and articulations? What is that Italian stuff? Your Bell Director will be so-o-o impressed!
FOR All
Experience Levels
BASS BELL TECHNIQUES – This class will introduce ringers to the mystery of handling the large bronze, demonstrate how to balance and how to perform various techniques, and provide considerations in making assignments for bass ringers.
BELL CHANGES AND WEAVING BASICS – If you think bell changes and weaving are some sort of great mystery, then this class is for you. This class will demystify the handling of chromatic sequences without getting your arms hopelessly tangled.
BELL MAINTENANCE – This class will help you in the general care of your instrument, use of basic tools, handbells and chimes, and will cover both Schulmerich and Malmark.
MUSICIANSHIP WITH MALLETS – This class will cover the proper striking technique for mallets; making the sound beautiful; and execution of accents.
PLUCK, SING, MART, SWING, ECHO, LIFT, AND MORE – This class provides an overview of Martellato, Mart-Lift, Plucks, Mallets, Suspended Mallets, Table Echo, Tower Swings, Singing Bell, and so forth, with emphasis on proper execution.
TREBLE 4-IN-HAND – This class will teach how to hold two bells in each hand, how to pick up and drop extra bells while ringing, and how to execute individual bell and combined bell strikes.
fOr EXPIERENCED RINGERS
ADVANCED BELL/CHIME/MALLET HANDLING – This class will improve your problem-solving to deal with changeovers between handbells and handchimes and mallets while maintaining musicality and presenting visual artistry.
COMPLEX RHYTHMS – This class will delve deeper into the world of rhythm: exploring unusual meters, mixed meters, polyrhythms, 3-against-2, and duplets in 6/8 or 9/8 meters.
SOLO RINGING - This class explores the world of solo ringing with its use of weaving and 4-in-hand techniques to articulate beautiful melodies with impressive visual artistry.
Designed for Directors
CONDUCTING OVERVIEW – This class will provide hot tips for directors on how to conduct for performance, how to rehearse effectively, how to assign ringers, and how to select music.