Friend to Friend VOLUME 12, ISSUE 2 SPRING/SUMMER 2012 Dedicated to music excellence through artistic handbell performance Conductor and Artistic Director, Stephanie Rhoades, Dallas Special points of interest: Check us out on the Web and on Facebook. Details of our Spring 2012 Concert Series. All you need to know about being a Friend of CBFW. Read about Texas Bronzefest Ringers Pam Adams, Grand Prairie Linda Anderson, Mansfield Kari Daelke*, Mesquite Elizabeth Garvin, Lewisville Lynn Garis, Keller Jean Harden*, Denton Quinda Hatfield, Forney Cathy Herring, Richardson *Executive Committee Member Carol Lynn Mizell, Denton Valerie Martin*, Grapevine Kathleen Parsons, Richardson Brenda Swindle, Richardson Lori Talbott, Plano Karen Thompson*, N. Richland Hills Thomas Williams, Granbury Concert Bells of Fort Worth Editor: Brenda Swindle Inside this issue: Spring 2012 2 New CD 2 Spring Concerts 3 Friends of CBFW 4 Be a Friend 5 2012 Wish List 6 Texas Bronzefest 7 CBFW IS EXCITED ABOUT THE SPRING 2012 RELEASE OF OUR CD FEATURING CHORISTERS GUILD MUSIC MORE ON PAGE 2
PAGE 2 FRIEND TO FRIEND A Salute to Leroy Anderson & more... Stephanie Rhoades, Conductor & Artistic Director Our spring program developed out of a suggestion by Carol Lynn Mizell, about a year ago, that we perform together with the Denton Community Band and include some Leroy Anderson pieces. That suggestion has evolved into a tribute in May (at First UMC in Denton) that will include performances by both groups separately and a few combined numbers. Since the Denton concert will be one of several concerts we perform in the spring, I planned a two-part performance for our April concerts. The first part of the program will consist of original works written for handbells (some with instruments) and the second part will feature arrangements of some of Leroy Anderson s most familiar works: The Syncopated Clock, The Typewriter, Bugler s Holiday, the Rakes of Mallow and Plink, Plank, Plunk. I am especially excited about the program because I know that there is something (or several somethings!) for everyone. The original works are great pieces that some may consider classics in handbell literature and the Anderson pieces will keep you tapping your toes. I hope you will experience it for yourself April 21, 24 or May 20....GREAT PIECES THAT SOME MAY CONSIDER CLASSICS ANDERSON PIECES WILL KEEP YOU TAPPING YOUR TOES. Introducing our new CD Radiance It has been quite a few years since we produced our last CD Christmas Favorites and now the long wait for our next CD is nearly over. We hope to have them in hand for our first concert. At the very least we will take preorders for them until they do arrive. They will also be available on our website, cost $15.00. As a community handbell ensemble, one of the things we strive for is to create a moving musical experience for the listener. This collection of arrangements and original handbell compositions strives to help the listener create their own spiritual connection. When designing the artwork for the CD, I was inspired by how all of these pieces truly paint a picture of the power of the spirit. What better way to illustrate this than a radiant sky of bright oranges and yellows anchored by the silhouette of a handbell. As a ringer and lover of handbell music, some of the moments I have felt closest to God or the most spiritual have been while ringing emotionally powerful handbell music. I hope you will find that same connection through the music on this CD. Many thanks to Kathy Lowrie, and Choristers Guild for making this project a possibility. Kari Daelke CBFW Vice President
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 2 PAGE 3
PAGE 4 FRIEND TO FRIEND Friends of Concert Bells of Fort Worth (as of March 31, 2012) If you are a Friend and your name has been omitted or your listing is inaccurate, please let us know so we can correct our records. Director s Circle Jean Harden George P. & Nesha J. Morey President s Circle Dan & Elizabeth Garvin Online Insurance Services William Smythe Rick & Karen Thompson Premiere Circle David & Linda Anderson Kari Daelke Bill & Pat Gordon Bettie W. Harden Lynette Hendricks Bill & Cathy Herring Patricia M. Morey Richard Sperry Grand Circle Anonymous Mary E. & David T. Bell Joan & Charles Duke Nancy Gillis Zella Gordon George and Margaret Kloepfer Cora & Scot Latta Carol & David Rowley Gayle & Virgil Strange Brenda Swindle James & Barbara Thompson Ann Treleven Jan & Maurine Wilson In Honor of Kari Daelke Contributor s Circle Anonymous Jo Blount Corbin Bullock John Gregg Quinda Hatfield Carol Haynes Kate & Hank Lattimore Dot Parks Martha Schelp Judy Townley Charlene Watson Anonymous Pam Adams & Chris Herrada Phyllis & Chuck Beck Bette Campbell Kay Champagne Sharon Chapman Lynn & Charles Duhon Jan & John Fisher Bill & Cathy Herring Stefani & Jon Lee Dalene MacWilliam Carol Lynn Mizell Joan Muser Brenda Swindle Lori Talbott Karen Thompson Jeanne White
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 2 PAGE 5 Friends of Concert Bells of Fort Worth Membership/Contribution Form Date Name. (As it should appear in our programs and newsletters) I wish my gift to be anonymous. Please do not list my name in programs or newsletters. Mailing Address City State Zip Code. Phone Number ( ) E-mail Address Membership (Check New or Renewal and desired level and payment) New Renewal ANNUAL AMOUNT Friend Level MONTHLY AMOUNT $360 or more Director s Circle $30 or more $240 $359 President s Circle $20 $29.99 $120 $239 Premiere Circle $10 $19.99 $60 $119 Grand Circle $5 $9.99 up to $59 Contributor up to $4.99 Membership $ Wish-List Fund $ TOTAL CONTRIBUTION ENCLOSED $ Benefits of Being a Friend to CBFW Direct Mailing of Newsletter Your name listed in CBFW programs and newsletter Advance notice of public concerts Please give this form and your check to any CBFW ringer or mail to: Concert Bells of Fort Worth c/o Jean Harden 1717 Broadway Denton, Texas 76201 *A 501(c)3 Corporation All donations to Concert Bells of Fort Worth are tax deductible*
PAGE 6 FRIEND TO FRIEND Everyone has a wish list! Over the next few years, we hope to be able to acquire several new items: some high bells to supplement those we borrow, a bell-tree stand, and some more bass chimes. Exactly what we get and in what order depends on your generosity. These are our current desires, with prices: Upper 6 th octave bells 7 bells (C#8 through G8): $246 each 1 case: $115 Personalized handle inscriptions (naming the donor, for instance): Free Shipping: $25 TOTAL: $1,902 Bell tree stand $299 + shipping Lower 7 th octave chimes Priced individually: 7 chimes (C2 to F#2): $760 each 3 cases: $230 each Rack for lower 7 th octave chimes: $500 Case for chime rack: $235 2 lambswool mallets: $76 each Shipping: $366 TOTAL: $7,263 Package price: $6,260 Shipping: $366 TOTAL: $6,626 Chimes cannot be labeled individually, but an engraved plate for the set would cost $35. In all cases, shipping charges are approximate, and equipment prices are current but can be expected to rise over time. Can you help us obtain any of this equipment? Donations to the Wish List Fund would be greatly appreciated! How would these items enrich CBFW? CBFW ringer, Pam Adams The upper 6 th octave bells, lower 7 th octave of chimes, and the bell tree stand are definitely wished for! Having rung in concerts with other ensembles that own this equipment and not having it ourselves, it s phenomenal to see and hear the difference in the music from both the ringers and audience perspective to have that extra layer of dimension/ texture in the notes! We would ring a simple chord with 2 extra octaves, and jaws would gape open and marvel at the depth of the sound! And now, having 15 ringers in CBFW, we have the personnel to distribute extra equipment to. This would give us the opportunity to expand our versatility and potential almost exponentially. The prospect of having this equipment is very exciting! We would love to share that kind of experience with our audience and thank them for continued support of CBFW! CAN YOU HELP US OBTAIN ANY OF THIS EQUIPMENT? DONATIONS TO THE WISH LIST FUND WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! Pam Adams CBFW Ringer Jean Harden CBFW Treasurer
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 2 PAGE 7 CBFW attends an inaugural event, Texas Bronzefest An overview, by Stephanie Rhoades I had been looking forward to participating in Texas Bronzefest as I knew that it would be both challenging and rewarding for us. I expected that one of the challenges would be working with several different directors; learning to follow a conductor that they had not worked with, and experiencing different interpretations of the music. I also know that some of the ringers were apprehensive; perhaps another director would change something that I had done and we would have to relearn it. I knew that the schedule would require long periods of standing and ringing, and that would be tiring. But it was also time well spent rehearsing repertoire for our Spring Concerts. And rehearsing these pieces with different directors helped us to focus on the music and the director both to be responsive and musical, rather than demonstrating our skill of rehearsed sight-reading. As one of the directors, I also was looking forward to working with various community and college/university ensembles. While the ensembles were challenged with following a new conductor, I was often challenged with conducting clearly and expressively in front of ringers I didn t know very well. What I experienced was that the ensembles were diligent about watching and trying to collaborate with me in the experience. The level of preparation and musicality among the groups was inspiring and I was energized each time I worked with a new group. I was especially inspired by working with some fine college/university groups as I know the future of handbell ringing is on their shoulders and I hope this experience will encourage many of them to seek out opportunities to ring after they graduate. At the conclusion of the event, after we were all rung out, packed up and on our way home, I realized that I had a renewed appreciation for the members of Concert Bells. They are dedicated and hardworking people who love the art of handbell ringing and strive to show our community that it is a wonderful musical form. I am blessed to work with such talented, creative, and fun people each week and I hope that you sense that when you watch us perform. Ringers were asked to contemplate and comment on two questions while at Bronzefest. 1. As an individual ringer, how did you benefit from attending this event? 2. As an ensemble, how do you think CBFW will benefit from attending the event? Comments from Jean Harden 1. From one director s comments, I gathered that when I start a run on the offbeat, I accent the first note; of course, the second would be the more appropriate one to emphasize. Now that I know it is a problem, I can fix it. 2. In the final concert we learned the hard way that we need to know our music better, so that even if we are brain-dead, we will still play correctly. On another subject, in one of the individual sessions we got a completely unplanned lesson on how much difference correct dynamics and dynamic contrasts can make in a piece. Without much attention to dynamics, the piece was OK. With attention to dynamics, the piece is a thousand times more interesting. We all knew this intellectually, but experiencing it reinforced the idea more strongly than any amount of directorial telling would ever do. Comments from Kathleen Parsons 1. As an individual, I benefited most from our time at the Texas Bronzefest by the director s examples of energy and expression in their work with us in rehearsals. 2. I believe that as an ensemble, we benefited from hearing David Harris share the stories of how Raleigh Ringers promoted their group through the PBS station in their area. I also felt that we were challenged to play more musically by playing under David s direction, both in the individual group session and in the mass community group rehearsal. Comments from Karen Thompson 1. Some of the non-ringing aspects of the weekend were outstanding. We got to bond with those in our group as well as network with other ringers. But of course we are there because we love to ring and a weekend full of ringing was just FUN! 2. As an ensemble it gave us the opportunity to really dig deep into our own repertoire as we prepare for our spring concerts. Some guest conductors gave perspective from personal experiences with our music which was quite appreciated. Last, and by no means least, the experience reaffirmed something I ve suspected for quite awhile - we get to work with one of the best conductors. Lucky us!
Like Concert Bells of Fort Worth on Facebook! www.facebook/ concertbells We will be posting our latest concert dates, photos and other info so you can easily keep up with the latest happenings with the group. We also welcome your comments and suggestions. Sign up for our mailing list online! We have partnered with Vertical Response to provide an online sign up for our mailing list. Just fill out the form found on our website and you will begin receiving upcoming concert and news information regarding Concert Bells of Fort Worth. Rest assured, we will not sell or distribute the list to any other party. Email Marketing by Vertical Response and the Concert Bells of Fort Worth Visit our website: www.concertbells.com Concert Bells of Fort Worth c/o Karen Thompson 7901 Kandy Lane North Richland Hills, Texas 76182