The Erie Canal Ringers handbell choir is recruiting for 2024-2025. There has been a delayed start and some personnel changes, but the choir is looking to get back to swinging some bells. There are seven openings in the lower intermediate team, The Great Bells of Fire (GBOF), and two openings in the more advanced intermediate team, The Heavy Metal Ringers (HMR). Currently, the GBOF is ringing as a small ensemble with six ringers, but they would like to build back up to a full choir to handle five octaves of handbells. Both groups can always use subs, which is a great way to get to know the other ringers and the instrument. The GBOF meets on Mondays from 5:45 to 8:15 p.m., and the HMR meets on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Rehearsals are held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 14 State Street, Brockport.
The HMR requires the ability to read fairly fluently at least one music staff. For this particular year, because of the short lead time before the holidays and the current skill level of the ringers, the group is asking that those interested in the GBOF have some prior music reading ability or bell ringing experience, although fluency is not needed. If there is enough interest from those with no music background, contact the director to discuss whether some bell and music instruction can be arranged.
The Erie Canal Ringers is a secular organization that plays a variety of classical, pop, and sacred music. There is no fee to participate in either choir or for the instruction.
Handbells are a physically active and mentally challenging way to make music, and ringing is fun. It’s a gigantic, communal music instrument. For more information, email the director, Elaine Holt, at elvh2012@gmail.com, or call at 585-364-2046 (Google Voice number). Please leave your name and contact information.
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