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Hampton Roads Convention Center,
Hampton, VA |
Roland E. Powell Convention
Center, Ocean City, MD
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Below you will find the following sections
- Spring Brochure
- Festival Repertoire
- Genesis Track Information (and rehearsal notes / FAQ)
- Travel Links
Area III 2008 Spring Brochure
The complete Spring 2008 Festival Brochure (PDF) is now available. This includes information on meals, hotels, schedules, registration forms, and much more. We look forward to seeing you there
Area III 2008 Festival Repertoire
| Bronze/Ocean City | Arise Shine Thy Light Has Come |
| Bronze/Hampton | Capriccio AGEHR AG35131, arr. McChesney 3-5 octaves, Level 4 |
| Massed | Alleluia Morning Star MSM-30920, Manuel/arr. Tucker 3-5 octaves, Level 3 |
| Christmas Carillon Lorenz 20/1335L, arr. Lowenberg 3-5 octaves, Level 3 |
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| Festal Dance Choristers Guild CGB521, arr. Tim Waugh 3-5 octaves with flute, tabor, windchimes, FC, Level 3 |
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| My Lord, What a Morning Concordia 97-7188, arr. Hart Morris 3-5 octaves, Level 3 |
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| Siyahamba AGEHR AG46014, arr. Ward Adaptations for 3-octave choirs will be provided Level 3 |
2008 Genesis Track Information
* The Genesis Track will be conducted by Kath Wissinger. These choirs rehearse separately and will perform these selections at the Genesis concert. Please review the following rehearsal notes and FAQ.
* This track is for advanced-beginning adult choirs ringing primarily Level 1+-2 music. The required repertoire is listed below. One selection has optional handchimes and several use mallets. If you do not have this equipment, contact Kath Wissinger (Longwalk3@aol.com) and she will give you alternative techniques.
| Accolade | Kath Wissinger |
| Savior of the Nations Come | arr. Cathy Moklebust 2-3 octaves: Choristers Guild CGB 173 3-5 octaves: Choristers Guild CGB 300 Level 2 |
| Ring Praise, O My Soul | Margaret Tucker |
| I’m Just a Poor Wayfaring Stranger | arr. Tammy Waldrop Hope HP2343 3-5 octaves Level 2- |
FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) for the Genesis Track - 2008 at Ocean City and Hampton
Kath Wissinger, director - Longwalk3@aol.com
What can I do to best prepare my ringers for Genesis?
If they come to Genesis understanding how their ringing position works in the piece, getting past page turns, accomplishing bell changes without slowing down, counting through rhythmic passages correctly, and basically "performance ready," they will be ready to fully appreciate all the learning possibilities at Genesis. This is in a perfect world, of course. Many ringers are still figuring out assignments, some are rhythmically challenged, others need help with a bell change. I will be working in all these areas, strengthening the understanding of those who already "get it," and helping those still working on it to understand and practice these concepts. While we will certainly work towards a "performance ready" level, the learning process itself is of utmost importance in our Genesis Track.
Counting out loud (the ringers, not the director) helps ringers more with understanding their rhythm than anything else. All "transition" spots where anything changes (bell change, bells to chimes, change techniques, turn a page, change a key) need special attention. For details, please see the Rehearsal notes listed at the Genesis Link.
How do we tell who does what in some of the scores?
Read the rehearsal notes provided in some of the scores and also any footnotes at the bottom of the pages. These usually clarify "who does what."
Remember that stem direction often indicates which bells might play a particular technique. For example: in Accolade m. 21, the stem up treble notes thumb damp while the stem down notes are rung as melody notes.
In Ring Praise, O My Soul - please read the footnotes on page 5 about reassigning chimes if necessary.
Note also, if you are new to chime markings, that chime notes are indicated by diamond note heads in the same rhythmic designations as regular bell notes.
We do not have the chimes. What do you suggest I do for this selection?
If you don't have chimes, simply ring bells normally. For a slightly different sound, you might have your ringers thumb damp or lightly mart these chimes sections to set them apart. It's very important to realize if the chime section should "stand out" or not, and then adjust the dynamic of the bells appropriately. We will experiment at Genesis and see what works best for the BIG group.
If you would like to have a set of chimes available for your ringers, please contact me at least 2 months before the Festival.
We don't have mallets. Now what?
Mallets are pretty much a necessity to play much of the handbell music out there, so if you have been considering buying mallets, now if a good time to do so. Each ringer ideally has two mallets (one for each hand) that are specially graded for the bell range (bigger softer mallets for lower bells, harder rubber mallets for upper bells.) You do not want "Bell tree" mallets, which are extremely hard, for your upper bells in these pieces. Your bell manufacturer or a supplier can help you with mallet selection.
Without mallets, you can try a few different techniques: lightly marting the bells on the pads (ringing the bell and the handle into the pad with the casting flat to the pad from a height of about 4") can give a nice percussive effect. Do not mart below C4.
Plucking is also a good alternative (with the bell in normal position on the table, reach over the bell and lift the clapper between thumb and fingers, then snap the clapper down with your thumb.)
Thumb damping on smaller bells works well in the absence of mallets.
For the sections in which bells are suspended and malletted, ringing lightly without damping is a good alternative. (Suspended malletted bells are not damped until directed to.)
If you would like to have a set of mallets available at the Festival, please contact me at least 2 months prior to the Festival.
I only have 7 or 8 ringers in my choir this year. Can we still participate in the Genesis track?
There are two possibilities for "short" choirs - you can offer your spaces to an "orphan" ringer (one who comes without a choir), or you can play your choir as it is - either by covering the vacant positions or by just leaving them out. Orphans can be asked to bring their own bells or to ring the empty bells at your table. Because there will be many choirs, all the positions are covered a few times at least, so holes in one choir or another aren't a hindrance. You didn't say how many octaves you have, if you have 3 octaves, you can play all the pieces with some reassigning. If you have 2 octaves, you can play from the 2 oct. version of 2 of them and "play what you have" for the other two.
With your 7 or 8 ringers, depending on their abilities, they can probably cover most of the music in the smallest range available. One of the pieces, Accolade, is a full 3 octave piece, which would normally take 11 ringers with 2 bells each, but it can be reassigned with some extra bells for a few folks.
I'm Just Poor Wayfaring Stranger could require fewer people in the bass on mallets. When the chordal section comes up, ask "who can ring this bell?" or decide which bells in the chord are the most important - usually the tonic, then the fifth, then the third...if a note (especially an accidental) is doubled higher up, it is less necessary in the bass. A bell can also be passed up to another ringer, who is not as busy, to be rung.
Will Genesis ringers get to attend any classes?
Yes, they will. Schedules vary at each of the two Festival locations, but there will be time for Genesis ringers to attend class, shop, eat and attend the final Massed Concert, in addition to our many hours of Genesis rehearsals. See the specific Festival Schedule for more information: Ocean City / Hampton.
I have one adult ringer who is legally blind. She can, however see her music if I enlarge it 125%. What I have done with our own music at church is the following:
A) Purchase a copy of music for her.
B) Request from the publisher permission to make an enlarged copy for her and
C) Keep the enlarged copy, the original, and the permission letter/email all in her folder.
This is exactly what you should have done in this situation. The documentation you have in her folder will be sufficient permission for having a photocopy in her book.
I have a question about malleting on suspended bells. In "Ring Praise" and "Savior of the Nations " there are times when a ringer is to mallet both bells. Instead of holding them by the handle and malleting them in a downward position, would you hold them as in four-in-hand in an upward position? Or, how do you do this? Maybe this is a dumb question, but I need to know.
You can do this either way. I prefer holding them in shelley or 4ih position (with castings "up" - not pointed down) and malleting. If one has to ring as well, there is always the option of "malletting for your neighbor." You can also slip one handle into the other and hang them like a chain or "tree," this is usually used for 3 or more bells. You can also hold two bells 4iH and hang the third bell by a pinkie. Be careful not to overextend the wrist...everyone's hands are different, and you usually have to experiment a little to find the right comfortable position. One more note - if the ringer holds the bells up so the sightline includes bells and the director, then the ringer can see the director give cues for the mallets.
Some of my ringers are older and 2 days of ringing will make it very difficult for them to stand and ring that amount of time. Can we bring the stools we use in rehearsal?
Yes, of course you may bring your stools. Please let me know if you plan to do this, so your group will be placed so as not to block the sight line of other ringers. chairs, of course, will be provided for all ringers, and they may sit anytime they need to. However, it is a lot of ringing and standing, so if stools will make your ringers more comfortable, by all means bring them.
What time can we arrive at the Festival?
You can check into the hotels at their stated check-in time - or sometimes earlier if they have your rooms available. Check directly with the hotel on this. I often try to arrive as early in the day as I can with my youth groups. It gives us time to get settled into our hotel rooms, take a swim, get to know the surroundings, have a snack or meal and set up our equipment with time to spare. Since schedules are subject to change, I suggest you check the Area III website - areaiii.org - for the most recent event schedule for the registration time. At that time, the spaces should be available for setting up equipment. If you arrive sooner, the rooms in the conference center may not be ready for you.
Getting to an event early also helps avoid rush-hour traffic situations and worrying about getting there on time. Try to make this a pleasant event for your choir by building some free time in, so they can enjoy some fellowship time as well.
What about our Genesis Concert?
The Genesis Concert will be the culmination of our time in rehearsals, open to all other Festival participants to attend...Generally it is "Standing Room Only." Everyone in attendance started out as a beginner, so they know exactly what you are working on and how exciting it is to progress. After the Genesis Concert, we will debrief and break-down equipment and then you may attend the closing Massed Festival Concert in the main hall.
What about these echos and swings??
To echo, the bell is touched lightly on the pad...mostly the lip, to briefly interrupt the sound and give a "Wha-wha" sound ...it works better for bass bells. I like the entire bell to be on the pad (not just at the edge of the table, which is dangerous) and I like the bells to be turned slightly pigeon-toed (palm down) and rotated so the clapper is horizontal...This way there is no possiblility of a restrike during the echo if your clappers are loose.
The "swings" are done by all the bass whole notes in m. 37 - again, you ring the bell on beat one, and swing down quickly on beat 3 and up and beat 4 - there is no arrow on beat 2. To swing...the bell is moved from vertically up to vertically down while swinging in an arc. If need be, back up from the tables a little (but watch behind you!) and swing it straight forward to your side just about waist height...you might need to bend your arm (my choir calls it a chicken wing.) Again, it works better for bass bells.
What about the suspended bells - are they ever damped?
For Savior of the Nations, Come - mm. 21-36, we'll try to damp the suspended bells at the beginning of m. 37.
For Ring Praise, O My Soul, the same applies to mm. 53-68, with the damp at the "R" in m. 69.
That said, things might be a little different in a massed setting where we have so many choirs with so many suspended bells. We might want that sound to be more controlled or a little thinner. So we'll work on a good balance once we are all together.
Tourism / Travel Links
Informational sites for areas where events are being held (opens in new window)
Area III 2007 Archive
For information about past spring festivals, you can visit the archived page.
More Information:
For more information, please contact Event Coordinator.
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