2023 Annual Benefit Handbell Concert

2022 Annual Benefit Handbell Concert

DAY 15 (NASHVILLE, TN) August 7, 2022

Today was our last day in Nashville before we head back to New York tomorrow. We started the day by going to various workshops. Most of us went to a Mahjong workshop; Mahjong is a complex yet entertaining tile game from Asia. Then, we got started on the dress rehearsal for our last day of ringing. We then had a few hours for lunch, in which we headed to the mall for some Panda Express and Smoothies. Then, after we were all fueled up, we headed back to the ringing hall for our final concert! It went off without a hitch; there were over 1,000 people watching the livestream. It is always an amazing experience to be able to play with so many ringers from all over the globe. We could not be more appreciative for all your support to make something like this happen! All the ringers then got together for a gala where we had dinner and had to say goodbye to all of our fellow ringers and conductors. There was a closing ceremony, including a final chord. What an amazing, unique, and unforgettable experience.

Today's reporters are Noreen & Jordan

DAY 14 (NASHVILLE, TN) August 6, 2022

This morning we woke up and went to our last massed rehearsal before the concert tomorrow. It went mostly well but there are a few songs *cough* Luna *cough*. Eunkyung was the translator for the Korean director, and we were so proud of her. We all took a group photo, linking hands in the process. It took a while for “Billiam” (William “Bill” Payn) to get there for the photo but all went well. We then went to our second to last workshop of the symposium. We did needle knot making and made cool necklaces. We had lunch at the local pizza place, and went to our next portion of the rehearsal. We had a secret meeting after to talk about some info, or so Sarah, Eiko, and Scott thought. We instead gave them gifts for all the hard work they have done to prepare us for the trip. (We love you guys, but you know that). After a long day of rehearsing and hard work, we had the awesome opportunity to listen to other choirs and individuals play solos like we had a few other days at the symposium as well. All of the ringers were amazing and super talented, my personal favorite was the Bellaholics from Hong Kong with one of their pieces featuring them practically flying across the table malleting bells. After the solos we had free time to hang out and relax, many of us split off and had some food and shopped a bit or got some rest. A bunch of us even played crimes against handbells to pass the time. After getting some Mcdonald’s for dinner everyone settled in and it got late pretty quick.

Today's reporters are Kayla & George

The Symposium Concert this Saturday Aug 6th 2022, 4 pm.

The Symposium concert will be streamed live on youtube 4 PM EST (3 PM CST) Emanuel Ringers and Katonah Celebration ringers will be center column, 4th row

DAY 13 (NASHVILLE, TN) August 5, 2022

Today is the day for adults! While the kids rested up a bit prior to rehearsal, our day began early with an early trip to the Handbell Commons, where we visited various publishers to review music for the upcoming season. We made choices for our annual benefit concert and area festivals, and found a few new pieces for worship. Happily, each publisher offered a discount, and no shipping since we were able to take the music with us. A good bargain! We convened at 9am for a monster 3 hour rehearsal. In case you’re curious, that is a lot of ringing. Many folks stretched (Sarah), popped Aleve (Sarah) and sat whenever possible (also Sarah). Eunkyung filled in when a ringer (Sarah) needed a break. At one point Eiko donned her translator hat, and provided translation for the Japanese conductor, Mr. Yoshida (a ringer favorite). Workshops followed rehearsal. Ringers and non-ringers attended a variety of fun workshops, including a sight-read and ring, bell painting, treble bell techniques, and learning the cajon, a box drum. Our afternoon was FREE! A few explored downtown, but most folks ate a leisurely lunch and took the time to relax. Sarah spent time purchasing new chimes, and Eiko took the representatives from Japan to a COVID test site so they can be cleared to fly home Sunday. Tonight we were in for a treat! The Symposium arranged an evening at the Wild Horse saloon, where we were able to enjoy southern cooking, games and line dancing. It was also an opportunity to bond with ringers from other nations. Upon returning to the hotel, many broke in a set of Cards Against Handbells. A good time was had by all.

Today's reporters are Eiko & Sarah

DAY 12 (NASHVILLE, TN) August 4, 2022

Today is the 2nd day of the handbell symposium. We started the day off with a Blue Grass church service. It was fun to see a genre I’ve (Sam) never heard before. The sermon was also very nice and was about how the world isn’t really in peace right now and how if we want it to be in peace then we have to pursue it. We had a lot of fun rehearsing the symposium pieces in the morning, though some of it got a bit tedious, before our workshops. At my workshop I learned how to mallet better from Damien Lim, one of the directors. It really taught me some useful malletting skills. In my workshop, I (London) learned how to string and play bell trees. It was super fun trying to play different songs! After workshops we had a very fulling lunch provided for us. The late afternoon consisted of more rehearsing and as a “break” in between we got to listen to individual choirs and people perform their solos. My favorite was the choir from Korea that had 6 girls who performed beautifully. They played some recognizable tunes and they way they were so in sync mesmerized me. There was also a guy who was 8-in-handing (4 bells in each hand) who played some Christmas tunes that got me into a very good mood. Overall it was a very good second day of rehearsals.

Today's reporters are Sam & London