Classes at National Seminar cover all aspects of handbell musicianship.

Techniques for treble to bass, solo to ensemble, musicality, percussion, and rhythm; managing and building a handbell program; and so much more. Review all the options below and make your selection before you begin the registration process.

All About that Bass – Introduction 

Leslie Lewis 

This class teaches the basic techniques needed to successfully ring the ‘buckets’ in a safe and healthy manner. Emphasis will be on protecting both the bells and the ringers while ringing the low bass bells.

All About that Bass – Beyond the Basics 

Leslie Lewis 

This class takes an in-depth look at what it takes to safely and effectively use the expanded bass bells and chimes that are available to us now. We will start with some tips and tricks for ringing and assigning the bass bells. Then we will look at when and how to double the bass to add the lower octaves to existing music in your library. 

Basic Percussion Techniques 

Greig Ashurst 

This clinic will teach students how to play a variety of percussion instruments that are commonly found in handbell literature. Students will learn the proper stance, grip, and stroke for each instrument. Students will then use these skills to perform a varied repertoire of handbell music that incorporates other percussion instruments. 

Beginning Conducting or “Floor, Door, Wall, Ceiling”

Beth Judd 

(This is a 2-session class. Both sessions must be attended) You have been thrust into conducting a handbell ensemble but have no formal training. Learn the basics to achieve optimal success and gain confidence in communicating with only your gesture. 

Bell Tree Beginnings 

Karen Van Wert 

Start with a single strand of bells and inexpensive equipment. String a tree, discover the $5 bell tree pole, and ring. You’ll be given simple melodies to play that sound great on the bell tree. From solo to ensemble, we’ll talk about ways you can be creative with bell trees in your situation. Bell trees are handy to have in your toolbox anytime but especially during this time of virtual music. Bring mallets to class. 

Bell Tree – Beyond First String 

Karen Van Wert 

Got a taste of bell tree ringing and want more? Expand from one tree to four, from one octave to two, from single pole to bell tree stand. Explore various equipment options including stands, separators, and mallets. Ring melodies that transition from one string to another and back again. Incorporate flats/sharps giving you full range of two octaves. Investigate published music and learn practical applications for skills learned. Bring mallets to class. 

Bell Tree – Easy Embellishments 

Karen Van Wert 

Embellishments are a great way to add handbells to both traditional and contemporary worship services. We will unleash your creativity so you can return home with applicable skills to make worship music shine. Bell Tree Beginnings or Bell Tree ringing experience is required. Bring mallets to class. 

Bells in Music Therapy 

Bruna Marinho de Almeida 

Did you know that handbells and handchimes are very effective in therapy? Music therapy has expanded considerably in the medical field, being highly commended as a non-medication adjunct to treat anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline, and in rehabilitation. Attending this class, you will participate in a music therapy mini session with bells and chimes, understanding and learning important aspects of this approach and its history, as well as essential concepts, ideas, and new methods (Yura Rhythm) for handbell choir and music with seniors. 

Beyond the Red Book: Taking Solo Ringing to the Next Level 

Christine Anderson 

Congratulations, you’ve mastered beginning solo ringing! What’s next? How do you master the more challenging solos, including all the various two-in-hand techniques, and “messing up” your keyboard? 

The Business Behind the Music (Roundtable)

Sharon Schmidt 

Connect with others involved with the day-to-day operations of community handbell ensembles. Bring your concerns and successes to share in this round table. 

Choosing Repertoire for the Classroom 

Brian Seemann 

Is this piece the appropriate difficulty? Will this piece engage my students? Does this piece fit into my curriculum? There are many factors that go into selecting music for your school ensemble. Join us to cover how to search for appropriate repertoire, tried and true suggestions of secular repertoire, and an overview of teaching materials available. 

Choreography in Time 

Elizabeth Mays Loebig 

How do I get to that bell?  Or chime? Or mallet?  Or page turn?  Everything handbell musicians do is based on choreographing the physical movements of our bodies with our instrument. This class will practice strategies for figuring out how to choreograph getting bells and why these movements are easier when set in time with the music. Knowledge of weaving and four-in-hand techniques is useful, but not required for this session. 

Concert in a Box 

Stevie Berryman 

(This is a 3-session class. All sessions must be attended) Learn how to plan a concert from concept to curtain call. This isn’t a theory class; it’s a lab where you will put principles into action immediately. Track participants will leave with an executable concert plan for their specific choir in their virtual “box” of concert necessities, including theme, repertoire, poster design, and marketing timeline. You’ll get all the planning tools you need, plus a lesson in using the free web tool Canva for graphic design. Head over to the vendors to order your music, and you will be ready to hit the ground running when your rehearsals start! 

Conquering Difficult Rhythms 

Michael Joy 

Many ringers have difficulty mastering difficult rhythms. This hands-on class will explore different strategies to help ringers conquer difficult rhythms. Musical examples will be taken from various handbell repertoire. 

Copyright, Licensing, and Royalties – Oh My! 

Josh Fitzgerald 

Do all the rules around copyright and royalties have you dazed and confused? In this session, we’ll learn the legal terms, review the copyright law itself, and give a rulebook to follow for your own music library and performance venues. Information will be shared about the types of licensing royalties and legal protections afforded authors and users of music, including perspectives from handbell publishers. 

Cutthroat Handbells 

Nikki Evans 

You can ring — but can you do it while dealing with sabotage? Enjoy a game loosely based on the show “Cutthroat Kitchen” and some of the strange things that happen during performances. 

De-Silo Your Performance 

Sondra Tucker 

Compelling performances engage the listener by drawing them into the communication that happens between the director and ringers, as well as among the ringers. Getting performers out of their “silos” to engage with others on stage creates communication lines that capture the audience’s attention and emotion. 

Developing Spiritual Community 

Mitchell Eithun 

Come into God’s presence with ringing! Together we will share ideas to encourage ringers to grow in their relationships with God and each other through community building and reflection. Along with meditating on scripture (including references to bells), we will perform spiritual practices designed for handbell ringers. This class is aimed at ringers and directors in faith-based handbell ensembles.

Dumbbells, Barbells, & Handbells – Oh My! 

Justin Wooten 

Should ringers consider themselves athletes? Yes! Should ringers train similarly to athletes? Absolutely! This class is geared toward ringers of all levels who are novices at strength training. We will explore proper weight training techniques for increasing strength, endurance, and conditioning safely and effectively while ringing. 

Effective Communication and Collaboration 

Paul Berryman 

It’s time for rehearsal and one of your ringers just won the lottery! They let you know with a quick email but you’re already on your way. No one can find the ringer and everyone’s worried. Were they in an accident? No, they’re out having a party! Clear communication can be a challenge with any group. In this class you will learn about collaboration and communication tools that are inexpensive, easy to set up, and can streamline your work. 

Ensemble Ringing 101 

Hyosang Park 

Ensemble ringing requires a different set of challenges than ringing in a full choir. Ensemble ringers have to constantly manage multiple bells. This class will equip ringers with basic techniques for managing multiple bells, score reading, and marking music. 

50 Shades of Damping 

Michèle Sharik 

There is so much more to damping than just “on” or “off.” This class explores the middle-ground between Strict Note Value damping and LV Free-for-All, and demonstrates how judicious use of the ringing and damping techniques you already know can raise your music-making to new heights.

Finding the Funds: Logistics of Equipping a Classroom 

Gillian Erlenborn 

This course will share ideas and resources for finding handbell and handchime equipment for your classroom. From Area chime loan programs and community partnerships to possible grants, we’ll cover (and brainstorm more) ways of getting the bells, chimes, foam, tables, binders, mallets, music, etc.!

First Look: How to Introduce New Music 

Stevie Berryman 

Everyone knows the importance of first impressions. Learn ways to introduce new music to your choir that will help them learn the music before even touching a bell. Class will cover sight-reading strategies, your musical “handshake,” and ways to read through music together without bells. 

From G(4) to Shining G(6) 

Josh Fitzgerald 

Do you have a small group and need some new repertoire ideas? Just want to ring some fun music that you don’t usually get to see? This reading session will focus exclusively on 2-octave music — from G4 to G6. We’ll ring some oldies but goodies and some newer titles, too. 

Give Them Something to Watch, Conducting the Music Not the Beat 

Brenda Austin 

So often we, as conductors, get caught in the trap of conducting the beat instead of interpreting the music. Our job as conductors is to embody the music and reflect that with our body and gestures for our ringers and the audience. In this class we will talk about how to get away from being the human metronome and be the artists we are called to be. 

Got Two Hands, How Many Bells?!? 

Hyosang Park 

Have you asked your handbell choir director, “I only have two hands… how many bells and chimes do you want me to play??” If you have, this class is designed for you. The class will cover multi-bell techniques, such as weaving three to four bells, weaving bells with chimes, playing chromatic passages with mid-air pass, and playing difficult passages musically with an alternate damping technique. 

Groove the Bellz with the Cajón 

Damien Lim 

You’ve heard it on the streets, in the subway stations, on stage, even with handbells. But how do we exactly use it to its potential, without sounding like a “soloist?” This workshop allows us to learn the fundamentals of playing the cajón (box-drum) and how to be an effective team player in a handbell ensemble. Hear it straight from a trained percussionist. 

Handbell Adjudication Training 

Greig Ashurst

(This is a 2-session class. Both sessions must be attended) Adjudication provides an opportunity for handbell musicians to develop their skills through constructive feedback. This course provides adjudicating basics and guidelines that will teach qualified musicians how to give useful comments and constructive feedback on handbell performances. It delves into the many roles that adjudicators play in the assessment process. 

Handbell Director Bootcamp 

Bill and Carolynne Mathis 

(This is a 4-session class. All sessions must be attended) Designed for new directors and others looking for a refresher and new ideas. This 4-track class is a non-stop time of looking at handbell pedagogy. It helps you understand how to teach and inspire your ringers to be the best they can be. We will consider ringing techniques, conducting, rehearsing, handbell notation, musicality, teaching rhythm, tracking, choosing repertoire — all this and more. 

Handbell Jeopardy! 

Mitchell Eithun 

This… Is… Jeopardy! How well do you know handbell music, techniques, and puns? Test your handbell knowledge by trying out for Handbell Jeopardy, a game show experience complete with buzzers, prizes, and a bubbly host! Four contestants will be chosen by a short, written test during the session. Wager wisely!

Handbell Science 101 

Karen Van Wert 

Harnessing the knowledge of handbell science opens the door to experimenting in sound production. The simple movement of a sustained note or perfect execution of a technique can add drama and interest to a performance. Ringing the final chord with a deliberate style will close the piece in keeping with the overall mood. Abrupt or slowly fading into the distance, contemplative or exciting, joyous, or sorrow-filled — help the music tell the story you wish to convey. Come into my laboratory and experiment with purpose. 

Handbells for Special Populations 

Diana Montgomery and D. Linda McKechnie

(This is a 3-session class. All sessions must be attended) This track will encourage experienced handbell ringers/directors to teach handbell ringing to non-music readers by using an adaptive notation methodology. Published level 1-2 music will be transcribed into this method of colored letters using PowerPoint technology. This is intended to reach audiences of young children, functionally challenged adults, and the elderly. 

Handbells in Contemporary Worship 

Ron Mallory 

Contemporary worship styles have become standard in many churches, and there’s no reason handbell musicians can’t participate — though it might involve thinking a bit differently about how we approach our instrument. Come explore some creative ways to use a full handbell choir, small ensemble, or soloist in a contemporary worship setting. We’ll also discuss ways to have healthy conversations with your pastor or worship leader about casting a vision for incorporating handbells into contemporary worship. 

Handchimes for Older Adults 

Ellie Hodder 

Contrary to stereotype, older adults are living busy, engaged lives in retirement. They seek activities that challenge them, and take on activities such as reading music and performing in ensembles with the expectation they will get better and better. Just like their younger selves, they laugh and learn and are dedicated to making music well. 

Keep Calm and Carillon 

Mitchell Eithun 

A carillon is a set of large tower bells played using a clavier. As the most public of instruments, music from these “singing towers” is heard from churches, universities, and civic buildings throughout the United States. Learn about how a carillon is played, the brilliant music written for the instruments, and where to find one near you! Connections between handbells and carillon will also be explored.

Listening Skills for Ringers and Directors 

Carolynne Mathis 

Careful listening is an important skill for all musicians. Ringers and directors will learn how to develop better listening skills, both in rehearsals and in performance. 

The Magical World of 8th Notes – Pedagogical Strategies for Teaching 8th Note Skills 

Kathleen Wissinger 

(This is a 2-session class. Both sessions must be attended) Mastering the language of 8th notes (in all their glorious diversity) allows ringers to confidently perform wonderful music. We will focus on a logical progression of 8th note patterns: a variety of 8th note pairs, 8th note triplets, and dotted-quarter/8th note combinations in simple and compound meters — all basic rhythm elements found in Level 2 and 3 pieces. Let’s get fluent in “8th Note-ese”! 

Mallet Techniques and Performance Tips 

Greig Ashurst 

This course will teach students about correct grip and stroke for different techniques and ranges of handbells. The course will show students how to use the mallets to produce clear sounds in a variety of musical circumstances and will include useful tips for dampening effects and rolling sounds. Students will also learn about mallet choice to create more compelling performances. In addition, students will learn about voicing, balance, and timbre when using mallets alone and with other techniques. 

Malmark Maintenance 

Robert Lamb 

This class will review the innovative design of Malmark handbells and Choirchime ® Instruments. Procedures for handle replacement, clapper adjustment, and hand polishing will be demonstrated. Recommendations will be given for establishing a routine maintenance schedule and identifying when refurbishment may be required. 

Managing Performance Anxiety (Roundtable) 

Nikki Evans 

Performance anxiety. Everyone has it, at least a little bit. What do we do with it? How can we use it to our advantage?

Managing Your Organization’s Digital Life 

Paul Berryman 

You’ve got your music and your bell group is rehearsing regularly. Time to make a program and spread the word. Fortunately, there are many easy-to-use and free/discounted tools online you can use. Dr. B will walk through examples using online productivity tools and simple ways to share online. You will also learn about free website tools you can use for your group. This class is designed for non-technical people and those who may not be comfortable working online. 

Music Theory and Why It’s Important 

Ron Mallory 

Ever wonder why some pieces have lots of sharps and flats, while others have none? Curious why a composer chooses to write certain notes, and not others? This class will give a broad overview of scales, chords, key signatures, melody, harmony, and more, as we take a look “under the hood” of some well-known handbell pieces to see how and why they work. We’ll also talk about why understanding these concepts is vital in your ensemble’s journey to better musicianship. 

Next Steps for Bells in Education (Roundtable)

HMA Education Committee

Members of the HMA Education Committee will highlight some of their past projects as well as what they are currently working on. Participants at the roundtable will be asked to share their thoughts about what the Education Committee should set their sights on for the future. The hope is that this roundtable will help guide HMA’s Education Committee into their next ventures that best represent the wants of the membership. 

Nothing But the Solo & Ensemble Skills 

Josh Fitzgerald 

Wanting to challenge yourself with a small ensemble piece or a solo? This is the class for you! We will work on just the primary skills necessary to transition from choir ringer to solo and ensemble guru. Topics covered include weaving, hand choices, bell positioning, passing, kick-offs, ring-hooks, scoop grips, parallel motion, and more! 

Off the Table: Handbell/Handchime Activities for the General Music Classroom 

Gillian Erlenborn 

Looking for handbell and handchime activities for your elementary-aged students? Interested in games and lessons that can improve your young ringers’ focus during rehearsal? This class will give participants the chance to embrace their inner child and participate in several short activities that are ideal for the general music classroom. We will explore lots of resources and ideas on how to use handbells and handchimes in a non-traditional ensemble setting

Past the Parentheses & Beyond the Brackets 

Michael Glasgow 

A lecture-style class designed to show the music theory behind why different octave complements must omit (or should not omit!) certain notes. Topics will include bass line continuity and inversion, alternate melodies, engraving challenges in publishing, options for doublings, and why certain keys seem to “work” better for the instrument. A terrific start to understanding the construction of a piece as a whole, and the logic behind [all] (of that) {<stuff>} we sometimes omit! (And directors who already KNOW the reasons why should come to the class if they’d like tips on how to help their ringers accept why they can’t play certain notes…WITHOUT having to give them a big music-theory lesson!) 

Protect Your Data and Stay Safe Online 

Paul Berryman 

The online world has many benefits. Unfortunately, it’s also a place where cybercriminals try to steal your information, your money, and harm your organizations. Plus, we must protect the privacy of any personal data we’ve collected such as contact lists and donation information. It only takes one clever phishing email for you to make a costly mistake. Dr. B will share his years of IT security experience and arm you with the basic steps you can take to prevent the most common hacker attacks, and protect yourselves and your organizations online. 

Rhythm: The Cornerstone of Music 

Travis Maslen 

A significant component of a successful ensemble is the ability to play rhythms at a precise moment in time. And each member of an ensemble is responsible for playing their bells with rhythmic precision. This class will explore the topic of rhythm through an interactive experience designed to help you improve rhythmic accuracy, allowing all skill levels to participate simultaneously. Not only will you sharpen your rhythm skills, but we will also examine how rhythm is utilized in different genres and cultures worldwide.

Recording All Parts Yourself 

Ron Mallory 

Thanks to modern recording technology, it’s possible for an individual or small group to make a high-quality recording of a handbell piece by recording one part at a time to a “click track” and mixing the parts together using digital audio software. This can be a valuable tool for composers, conductors, and ringers as they seek to get a big-picture feel for a piece but may not have the time or opportunity to have it played through by an entire ensemble, and the technique can also be applied to making creative handbell music videos. In this class we’ll look at the technology and process involved in making great handbell recordings without the resources of a full handbell choir. 

Repeatable Changes 

Sharon Schmidt 

How do you play that tricky passage the same way every time? Once you have the basic skills (weaving, table damping, changes to chimes or mallets), the next step is to figure out when to do what, and how to mark your score so that you can repeat the change. In this hands-on class, we’ll solve multiple problems and explore marking techniques. Bring your mallets.

Say Goodbye to Cups and Sticks (Musical Games) 

Josh Fitzgerald 

Ready for some fresh ways to introduce and teach musical skills in your handbell program? Love the cup game and Maori sticks, but need something more? Come join in the fun and learn new activities, which will help you increase rhythmic proficiency, improve music reading skills, and foster group fellowship no matter the age of your choirs. This one is for ringers who just like to have fun, and for directors who need a new arsenal of tricks. Please wear clothing you feel comfortable actively moving in because participation IS required! 

Score Prep for the Handbell Musician 

Kimberlee Strepka 

Score Prep for the Handbell Musician addresses a wide variety of score study skills that create a deeper understanding of the possible ringing challenges within a piece of music. Besides assignments and alternative assignments, some of the more advanced techniques will include musical movement, preparing asymmetric rhythms, rhythmic consonances and dissonances, musical styles, and storytelling without text. The class will participate in a macro and micro analysis of Jason Krug’s “Sussex Carol” (MGIG8743). 

Schulmerich Maintenance 

Bethan Neely 

Spend time with Schulmerich Bells team members and learn how to best care for your Schulmerich instruments.

Self-Publishing (Roundtable) 

Ron Mallory 

The internet and social media have provided new opportunities for composers to release their music directly to handbell choirs and directors. Come discuss the many possibilities and challenges of the world of self-publishing, whether you’ve been doing it for years or are thinking of starting for the first time. We’ll talk about the process of legally setting up and running a business; engraving your own music; marketing techniques; partnerships with distributors; and much more. 

Six-In-Hand Methods (For Treble Bell Hogs) 

Josh Fitzgerald 

When four is just not enough, try six! This is the class designed for the treble bell hogs who can’t get enough of multiple-in-hand bells, or for the growing solo/ensemble ringers needing to cover more notes competently. This class will explore at least four methods of holding 6-in-hand, and focus on building proficiency in clean ringing and damping (where necessary) of those notes. This class presumes you have at least intermediate ability and knowledge in various 4-in-hand methods.

Soloist Skills: Traveling Four-in-Hand (T4H) 

Linda Krantz 

The perfect melding of weaving and 4iH, this class will teach you the ins and outs of Nancy Hascall’s famed T4H style of solo ringing. Be prepared to up your game! Required pre-requisite: a working knowledge of weaving and the ring/knock (push) method of 4iH. It is highly recommended you also sign up for Blocking (The Art of Choreography) & Hands-on Practical Applications of T4H and Blocking. 

Soloist Skills: Blocking (The Art of Choreography) 

Linda Krantz 

This track will focus on tried-and-true methods of blocking an un-choreographed piece that will allow fluent and musical solo ringing, based on Nancy Hascall’s famed T4H techniques. Note that we will have a separate class on practical applications of these strategies, so it is strongly encouraged that you sign up for the Hands On Practical Applications of T4H and Blocking along with this class. Required pre-requisite: a working knowledge of traveling 4iH. 

Soloist Skills: Hands-On Practical Applications of T4H and Blocking 

Linda Krantz 

So, you’ve learned a bit about T4H and blocking, let’s see how it works in practical situations. We will take passages that you have had difficulty figuring out how to play, and work through them together, using the T4H and blocking strategies learned in those two classes.  Send the sections you are having difficulty with to [email protected] ahead of the conference, and the clinician will choose several to work through with the class. Required pre-requisite: a working (passing) knowledge of traveling 4iH and Blocking (The Art of Choreography) 

Speed Teaching: A Panel on How College Handbell Directors Quickly Teach Up Newbies 

Bob Avant 

Many college directors find it commonplace to begin a new semester with the addition of one or more students who are new to ringing or have limited experience. At the same time, returning ringers with established and more advanced skills anticipate and expect to achieve the same or greater results as prior semesters. From the director’s perspective, the semester goals include quality, improvement, challenging every ringer, and establishing an ensemble that can work on the same level with each other. The result of all these factors is the need to teach up all those who are deemed to have comparative deficiencies. Every participant on this panel-based presentation experiences this scenario each semester and has found ways to quickly bring along those who need quick progress. Each panel member will present teaching strategies and examples of materials used, which may successfully crossover into church and community-based groups as improvement strategies and methods. 

Stem Direction Does Count! 

Sharon Schmidt 

How do you figure out who does what in handbell music? How would you study a piece of music away from the table? We’ll walk through several pieces of music to explore the mysteries of stem direction. On the way, we’ll review all the information presented in the music, including the bells used chart, brackets, and parentheses, plus tricks for finding the melody.

Take It to the Streets! 

Christine Anderson 

With 4-5 bells in hand and no tables, learn how to ring anywhere at any time — it’s the ideal social distance ringing. Where will you go next to ring, where no bell choir would dare to go? Mission trip, mall, bank lobby at Christmas…the opportunities are limited only by your own imagination! 

Techniques for Handbell Ringers and Conductors 

Ron Mallory 

Good technique provides a foundation for good musicianship. This class will explore a “grab bag” of techniques that are important for both ringers and conductors, including: challenges unique to bass, treble, and battery bells; conducting patterns and hand independence; reading ahead; communicating as an ensemble; movement and eye contact; and more. Along the way ringers and conductors will better understand the other’s role in making great music. Aimed at beginning to intermediate ringers and conductors, but with helpful material for more advanced musicians as well.

Wakeups, Warm-ups, & Wrap-ups 

Michael Glasgow 

The “main course” of a rehearsal comprises score study, ringing techniques, conducting gestures — all of which are of critical importance. But what about the amuse-bouche, the appetizer, the dessert? This highly interactive class offers different ideas to get your group’s brains AND bodies warmed up (with bells in hand, because let’s face it, most ringing groups don’t do more than MAYBE a little stretching), as well as exploring “gathering” and “closing” ideas for starting and concluding rehearsals in positive, intentional ways. 

Weave In, Weave Out 

Nikki Evans 

Looking for a way to handle all those bell changes? Want to try ringing a solo? Start with weaving! Recommended for bell hogs. 

What Are You Worth? (Roundtable) 

Brian Seemann 

“How much should we pay the new director?” “What should our ticket price be?” “How much do you charge for a performance at our holiday party?” Money and pay are things we are often afraid to talk about, but a very important conversation for directors both in church and community group settings, as well as community ensembles putting on public performances. Pulling examples from both within the handbell community, and the greater performing arts world, we will discuss these topics to make sure that you are getting paid what you are really worth. 

Working Towards More Efficient Rehearsals 

Michael Joy  

Many groups open a piece of music and play through it, working on the tougher spots. There are ways to use rehearsal time more efficiently so that music is learned faster. This hands-on class would really benefit directors, but ringers are also welcome!

Youth Bell Choirs: From A to Z 

Josh Fitzgerald 

The idea of starting or maintaining a youth bell choir can be overwhelming when we consider all the competing demands on their time and attention. In this round-table style class, we’ll discuss ways to build and maintain such groups, ideas for rehearsal plans, and repertoire suggestions.