Question about using the series "Ring Along Christmas Favorites"

[Wendy Cheng]

Hi everyone,

I just so happen to have two sets of the books Ring Along Christmas Favorites
https://www.handbellworld.com/music/MusicPiece.cfm?Piece=1627

 and I thought about ending our upcoming concert by asking volunteers from the audience to try ringing chimes and using this series.

If you have ever used this series at concerts or activities I'd like to hear from you about you made it work.

1.  Does each volunteer ring holding 1 chime?

2.  Do you ask your ringers in your group to help the volunteers?

Is this a popular way to get the audience involved?

Please advise and thank you!

Wendy

[Sharon Guilliams]

Hi Wendy,

I have used these often. What I have found works best is to have a person with a bell join the volunteer with the chime and ring it together. Usually, it takes one song for the "new" ringer to get the hang of it.

Yes, this is very popular. Usually, I have the ringer with the bell, book and chime go out into the audience and seek out a volunteer, that way the volunteers are not in front of everybody. Also, that way after a couple of song you can switch out the volunteers to somebody else.

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[Brenda Austin]

Yes! I have done these several times. They are fun. Each volunteer has 1 chime, and I would assign someone who knows what to do with each volunteer. 

 It’s fun! 

Brenda E. Austin

Composer, Conductor, Clinician 

www.brendaeaustin.com

brenda...@gmail.com

Hope Publishing

Editor

HopePublishing.com

Embellish and Campana 

Music Director

EmbellishHandbells.com

[James Walters]

If you work with young people, invite their parents and/or other family members to a rehearsal using these books. Young ringers love teaching adults how to ring.

James Walters Redlands Adventist Academy Handbell Ensembles   (909) 793-1000  jwalters@redlandsacademy.org

To teach is to learn twice. - Joseph Joubert

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[Stephanie Wiltse]

These are a great way to introduce handbells or chimes to all ages and levels of musical ability. 

One year I got the bright idea to bring some chimes and these books to a church staff Christmas party for post-dinner entertainment. Even the ultra-dignified senior pastor was a good sport. But when I passed out the instruments and books, two staff members were insulted at the idea of only getting one chime! Even after I explained the concept, they still insisted on having two chimes. Hilarity ensued as they each tried to juggle two chimes and read from two books at a time.

Stephanie Wiltse

Grand Rapids MI

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[Wendy Cheng]

Thank you all for writing in!  I now have some ideas to talk with my ringers about how to plan this!

Wendy Cheng

Director, Bells of Glenaire,

Cary, NC

[Barbara Brocker]

The other thing I'd add is that it might sound awful, but never let them know it.  They will be so involved, and thrilled, and horrified, and engaged that the whole thing will be fun.  And we pass around the chimes for the next song so everyone who wants can get a chance.  It's worth every moment of it.  We are pulling out our three sets of books again next month for an enjoyable time at our events.

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[Stephanie Wiltse]

Rather than end your concert with this, I wonder if you might want to try making it part of the concert; maybe right before or after a short intermission? You could put three on a book, two of your ringers (using bells in different octaves) plus a guest on a chime. Then turn it into an audience sing-along with the bell/chime accompaniment!

As Barbara said, it doesn't have to be polished... Just have fun!

Stephanie Wiltse 

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