Rehearse on a stool clarification

[Charles Peery]

Folks, I understand the need to put people first. I did, however, make a distinction that this was supposed to be a high-level, community/auditioned group. As opposed to a church group, and I think there is some distinction there which people aren't reflecting in their responses to me.
If people want to say they think there is no distinction, that's fine and they should say so. But people seem to be responding with what they do in their church groups in order to be inclusive and more "pastoral." While there is certainly an element in my heart of wanting to care for the whole person, there is also the idea that a certain level of performance is an expectation in order to be part of the group. Therein lies the conflict within me. There is also the tradition that you making it into the group means someone else did not. So is it hard-hearted to say that if you cannot ring up to my physical and visual expectations you need to take a temporary leave-of-absence until you regain your health?

Chuck in St. Louis

[TimR]

On May 14, 11:48 am, Charles Peery <cepe...@earthlink.net> wrote:
.  So is it hard-hearted to say that if you cannot ring up to my
physical and visual expectations you need to take a temporary leave-of-
absence until you regain your health?
>
> Chuck in St. Louis

Though I'm, ahem, a little past middle age! I'm still stronger and
fitter than most of our ringers.

But I can't see well. I need my own music. Some bell choirs require
sharing folders. I would be unable to ring, just as some people who
can't stand would be unable to ring.

Should we accomodate them?

It seems to me that if there is a significant deterioration in the
musical output, then no. (In a church or more social group, there
probably isn't enough difference to matter, and as several have noted
the other factors are as or more important).

But it also seems to me that this significant deterioration in the
sound has not really been demonstrated.

[Charles Peery]

It's kinda hard to demonstrate in a textual medium. This is why in my first post I mentioned that the tone suffers and the athleticism that leads to rhythmic energy is lacking.
Chuck in St. Louis

[Silver Woodbury]

I do believe that auditioned bell choirs do have to be more conscious of the
musical standards they want to achieve/maintain. I direct a fledgling
community choir. I have a ringer who has had some significant health
problems this year. During rehearsals, she needs to sit down when we are
between pieces or when I am working with another section of the group, but
she stands while ringing. We will have our concerts this weekend and I will
be keeping an eye on her. She spoke with me a couple of weeks ago and told
me that, if I perceived that she was holding the group back in any way, she
wanted me to let her know. I think that most community ringers realize that
there is a different focus than in their church choirs and understand that
it's not all about "me." I suggest having a talk with this ringer.
Perhaps, you can offer that he/she stay on as a floating sub for rehearsals
or serve the group in another way such as assisting with publicity, helping
with maintaining the music library or some other administrative tasks.

Last season, I had a couple of ringers who realized that the group was
surpassing their skill level. Although I didn't perceive a physical
challenge, there may have been a minor one that played a factor. At any
rate, they withdrew from the group willingly. (Unfortunately, one did right
before our concerts.) However, I know there probably will be a time when I
will have to have that difficult talk.

Otherwise, I agree that ringing from a seated position, although easier on
the legs, feet and back, is not good for shoulders, wrists good, ergonomic
ringing technique general. I have seen one senior adult choir that rang
while seated. There again - it's an entirely different focus.

Silver Woodbury | Artistic Director | Oklahoma City Handbell Ensemble, Inc.
PO Box 721578 | Oklahoma City, OK 73172-1578

Mobile: 405-519-0331 | Fax: 405-212-4899

sil...@okcbells.com | www.okcbells.com

[Wil Mandac]

Hi Chuck,

Maybe put them in a more challenging position that doesn't require them to sit. Videotape a rehearsal with them sitting down so they can see how it affects everyone.

Wil
Area XII'er

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[TimR]

On May 14, 1:41 pm, Silver Woodbury <sbesilverb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Otherwise, I agree that ringing from a seated position, although easier on
> the legs, feet and back, is not good for shoulders, wrists good, ergonomic
> ringing technique general.

Are you sure this is true?

Bass bells aside, it doesn't take a whole lot of strength, IF you are
ringing correctly.

And I seriously doubt you could tell the difference in sound,
listening without looking.

It might actually force the ringers to learn to ring correctly,
relaxed and with minimum effort.

[Michele Sharik]

It depends on how oftem/much the ringer needs to lean over from the stool to change bells & turn pages. If they can just sit & play with 2 bells the whole time, there's no reason that can't be done ergonomically.

Sent from my iPhone

[Anne Miller]

Hi, Tim!

 

Little strength? One average sweet piece or a concert of high level pieces?...In the Mood, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, etc. Yes, it takes strength, but it's also about stamina, agility & flexibility, right? After 35 yrs. of ringing, over 20 on the performance stage & as I age, the more work it take outside the rehearsal room to bring these valuables to the table so I swim and lift weights.

 

Difference in sound? If you sat to play these pieces and a full concert like them, your individual sound would most likely be imaginary in a performance hall, not necessarily in a 500 sf rehearsal room. Not that you couldn't learn how to be ergonomic, project, be agile & flexible, mind you. I just think it takes more work than many think or automatically do.

 

Relaxed with a minimum of effort? That's always my goal!

 

Anne in St. Louis

From: TimR <timot...@aol.com>
To: Handbell-l <handb...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, May 14, 2012 3:26 PM

Subject: [HB-L] Re: Rehearse on a stool clarification