News from Virginia

In western Virginia, Massanutten Presbyterian Church's two youth bell choirs, Touch of Jesus and Soundbow, directed by Kath Wissinger, combined to play for an April worship service.  A full brass ensemble and handchimes accompanied the handbells. In June, Touch of Jesus played for 3,500 worshippers at the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. general assembly in Louisville, Kentucky.  Nearly 500 worshipers remained for an informal concert.  The ringers also performed at several other worship services and concerts on their trip.  All tour pieces were recorded at their tour kickoff concert for inclusion in their next compact disk. Touch of Jesus was also featured in June on WHSV-television serving the Shenandoah Valley.

Before starting summer vacations, the bell choirs of Williamsburg Presbyterian Church displayed a sudden burst of energy in April and May. Both groups are under the direction of Tom Marshal. The church-based Sanctuary Ringers performed at the Williamsburg Landing Retirement Community for a large and appreciative audience. After the program, the choir was treated to a special luncheon prepared by the Landing's executive chef and served in a private dining room. The college-aged Westminister Ringers enjoyed their final musical offering in church in April just before the start of final exams. This is always a bittersweet date, since the ringers' excellent musicality and precision are tempered with sad farewells, due to their graduation from The College of William and Mary.  The church presented awards to three graduating seniors.

A new bell choir direted by Shirley Firestone, has been formed in Williamsburg at St. Martin's Episcopal Church. They rehearse at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, using that congregations's bell until they can get their own. Bruton Parish's own bell choirs (JanEl Gortmaker, director) will ring a candlelight concert at their church on Tuesday, September 1, at 8 p.m.  These concerts are open to the public at no charge. The Chimers of St. Bede Catholic Church (Mary Beth Bennett, director) are eagerly awaiting the arrival of two octaves of handbells.  In June, they performed on chimes for the parish variety show.

Ed Rollins, from Columbia, Missouri, will be the clinician for a joint ringing worship to be held in Williamsburg in September for the ringers from Bruton Parish Episcopal, Williamsburg United Methodist, Williamsburg Presbyterian, St. Martin's Episcopal, and St. Bede Catholic churches.

Kathy Toole and Martha Kraus from Bon Air United Methodist Church, Richmond, presented a "Bells & More" program in June. They put together a worship program celebrating music with special emphasis on bells. Two ringers presented duets for the first time.

The Carillon Ringers from River Road Presbyterian church, Richmond, presented an April candlelight concert at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, Williamsburg.  The varied program included pieces for handbells alone as well as bells and organ. The group was directed by Ed Tompkins and accompanied by Marianne Cream. The featured organ/bell works included "Jubilee Concertante" by Buckwalter, "Hymn to Joy" by Keller, and "Prelude and Passicaglia" by Helman.

David R. Davidson, from Dallas, Texas, was the featured clinician at Virginia Wesleyan University's Summer Sacred Music Week in July.  The participants enjoyed learning from this master clinician as thei developed new skills. The one-day event concluded with a handbell performance.

Finally, on a personal note, I want to thank my seven district chairpersons who have made my job easier by being in touch with directors at the local level. Virginia is a large state, and the work of each district chair is vital in the Area III organization. I encourage you to say "yes" when Elvin Nicely, your new Virginia chair, calls and asks you to help in any capacity with this magnificent organization. My thanks to all the ringers and directors I have met over the past four years. Best wishes t the new Area III board.

Edmund F. Tompkins
Virginia Chair

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