Fundamental Tone - April 2021

The Newsletter of Area 1 | Volume XXXVI No. 2 | April 2021

News for Handbell Musicians in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,

New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont

Important

Area 1 Board - ELECTIONS

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Through the magic of technology, Area 1 presents a joyful return to the music-making that unites us. Join in remotely via YouTube Live for a handbell family reunion that brings us back to the tables to celebrate the artistry of massed ringing!

For more details - View Flyer Here

or visit Area 1's website - https://area1.handbellmusicians.org/ringer-reunion-2021/

Notes from THE CHAIR

Lisa Arnold, Area 1 Chair

chair@handbellmusicians.org

Hello Area 1!

I'm excited to see so many posts of people in the handbell world getting their vaccines. That means it won't be long now before we're back to rehearsing, ringing together, and making beautiful music. As a board, we had to make difficult decisions about our Spring and Summer activities well before the events occurred because of booking and cancellation fees that we did not want to incur.....More

Notes from CONNECTICUT

Greetings fellow Connecticut Ringers –

My wishes are that you, your friends and family remain healthy and safe during these uncertain times. We are all still waiting for it to be safe so that they can come together and make music as a group. Gina and I hope that we can all be playing again soon. ...More

Notes from MAINE

Greetings from Maine! While we continue to search for a Maine State Chair, Amy Rollins is submitting this news from around our state, sharing how some of our handbell groups are coping with COVID. If YOU would like to find out more about becoming Maine State Chair for Area 1, contact Amy at communications.area1@handbellmusicians.org or Lisa Arnold, chair.area1@handbellmusicians.org. We would love to talk with you about this important role!...More

Notes from RHODE ISLAND

It seems we may have a few reasons to rejoice during this year’s Easter Season. First and foremost, the season with its promise of new life. And this year the ‘new life’ may be present, for some of us, in the form of the vaccine.

Finally we might be able to gather at our tables and RING!!!

I have heard some news about two RI groups:...More

Notes from EDUCATION LIASION

Handbell Friends!

I don’t know about you, but it’s getting really rough reporting on things when there’s not many things happening. Raise your hand if you’re ready to get out and get going again! One thing I bring to the table is a conversation I was able to have with a group of young adult ringers....More

How to Become a One-Person Handbell Choir

By Sue Chamberlin

Last March, when “everything” stopped, one of the things I missed the most was being able to get together with my Merrimack Valley Ringer friends and play bells and prepare for our upcoming concert season. I am fortunate to own a three-octave set of bells, so I can play bells whenever I want, but playing by myself just isn’t the same. And I could work on learning solos, but with no anticipated performances in the near future, I just wasn’t inspired. Then I saw people posting videos of themselves playing multiple bell parts and being able to share their music “virtually.”...More

(See Sue's Youtube video here:

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?pli=1#inbox?projector=1)

Tours by Dan Moore

Reflections of Covid Protocol -

A Bit of Literary Fluff

At this particular time of year, when for decades I was accustomed to spending the better part of a week on tour with my ringers, I tend to recall anecdotes of those wonderful events and happier times. Since so few of us have had many meaningful handbell activities for at least a year, the past year of isolation has intensified the process. But remaining optimistic and ever hopeful, and reminded by a fellow ringer’s Facebook post about Peeps, I thought I’d share a few stories; there isn’t too much else happening. I’m certain that many of you also have stories, humorous or poignant, and perhaps the Fundamental Tone’s editor will make space for your tales, too....More

8th Graders and Handbells During the Pandemic

By Jean Degan

For the past three decades, we have been blest at St. Joseph Parish in Bristol, CT to have handbells which then grew to also include chimes as well as boomwhackers! Our 3 octaves of each makes for a small bell choir compared to many churches but has always been just right for us. For the 4-in-hand enthusiasts we’ve added the upper 4^th octave.

Many in the Catholic Churches have asked me how I “fit” handbells into the Mass. Simple really, the Catholic Church has a “sung liturgy”, meaning it should all be sung...More