Handbell Doctors?

[Derek H]

Hello, all;

No, this is not about needing a set of handbells fixed or refurbished. I'm actually wondering if anybody on this list has studied handbells or something closely related while studying for their doctorate? I have been working on my doctorate for about two years now (Organizational Leadership and Christian Ministries) and am experiencing that dreaded wall. I wonder if returning to handbells would help?

So, I'm looking for some ideas here. I've been playing around with solo handbell ringing, but then also something leadership related.

What's missing in handbells? What hasn't been studied? What's waiting on the horizon?

Any ideas that you can provide would be appreciated.

All the best;

--

Derek Hakes
("...people are beautiful.  Not in looks.  Not in what they say.  Just in what they are." - from "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak)

[Ellie Hodder]

Hi Derek, I wonder if Beth Reel Judd might have some insights for you. She just did a year (may still be doing this) working with students of divinity. As a musician with lots of faith based experience, I know she brought a new perspective to these students.

I wonder if you might get a spark or two from a conversation with Beth? She is on Facebook and may be on the L.

Hope you get a chance to talk with someone(s) who can light a fire to your creativity.

Best, Ellie

Ellie Hodder

she/her
• Director of Music Ministries
Murray Hills Christian Church
www.murrayhills.org
musicmini...@gmail.com
• Founder/Artistic Director
Pacific Ringers
www.pacificringers.org
in...@pacificringers.org
• Founding Director
Coppers Classic
www.coppersclassiccom
coppers...@gmail.com

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[Blanche Marie Lewis]

I just know there is a lot of theological lessons in ringing Handbells - letting go of past sins (mistakes) so that you don't get held down by them and make more sins(mistakes); needing every part of the musical scale to make music, not everyone needs to be C4D4, we also need A5B5, E6F6, etc; sharing the load and letting go when life gets too challenging by letting others help you (giving away that 1 bell that makes your part too hard, but your neighbor was bored stiff); and so on. 

Blanche Marie

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[linda mckechnie]

Blanche-

Beautifully stated. Ringing in a handbell choir is much more than ringing at the right time. It is being aware of our surroundings, needs of others, and  acting as one musical unit. Linda McKechnie

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[Derek H]

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far. Handbells are such a niche instrument that research on them is scarce. Because of my degree, any research has to focus primarily on directors. My study is either going to be phenomenological or a case study, as this looks to be a "lived experience" study of conductors. Based on the research, some type of framework will be created (perhaps).

While I am not permitted to start finding participants at this point (not until October), if this is the direction in which I am indeed headed, I **may** or **may not** be asking if there are any handbell directors on this list who are interested in taking part in this study (safe hint...hopefully :) ).

Please keep your thoughts coming, as this is helpful in determining how I want to proceed. I'm even considering studying solo handbell ringing, but I'm trying to find something leadership related there...

All the best;

Derek Hakes

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[Alison Pruett]

You may want to reach out to Beth Mays Loebig. She’s working on her doctorate in handbells right now. I believe her focus is more on performance but she is writing a dissertation. I know she can be reached at educatio...@handbellmusicians.org. 

Good luck!

- Alison 

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 24, 2026, at 8:00 AM, Derek H <hakes...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Sharon Guilliams]

HI Derek,

If your thesis has to concentrate on directors, why not research the differences (or issues) that bell directors have to deal with that choral directors do not have to deal with and the whys and how to be effective. I have had way too much experience where a choir director is told to direct bells and they fail miserably because they don't understand that bells are different. (For example, the flowing hand motions where you can never tell where beat 1 is does not work for handbells.)

Just my opinion.

Sharon

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