Distinctly Teen
Distinctly Teen is designed for individual young ringers (8th–12th grade) who wish to stretch their ringing skills and challenge their musicianship.
Participants will spend 2 ½ days working on intermediate to advanced repertoire and developing skills in handbell technique and general musicianship under the leadership of Nick Hanson. The event schedule will combine dedicated rehearsal and class time for Distinctly Teen with the opportunity to attend classes offered as part of the Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar. Participants will need to have completed 7th grade before July 13, 2023. This year, we will be offering a student conducting opportunity as part of Distinctly Teen. If you are interested in applying, please complete an application by April 30, 2023.
About the Director
Nick Hanson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University, Irvine, California, as a major in music with a concentration in handbells. He just completed his 17th year as the director of handbell ensembles at the Potomac School in McLean, Virginia, where he teaches private handbell lessons and handbell classes to 5th–12th-grade students in five handbell ensembles. He also just completed his 15th year as handbell director at Bush Hill Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
Nick has served as faculty, clinician, and conductor at handbell events in 15 states (as well as Washington, DC) and internationally in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. In 2015, Nick was chosen as the first-ever Associate Conductor for Distinctly Bronze under the mentorship of renowned conductor Dr. William A. Payn. Also in 2015, Nick conducted the Distinctly Teen ensemble at the Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar in Dallas, Texas. Most recently, Nick was the 2018 guest foreign conductor for the “Showtime” concert performed by the Ministry of Bellz, the premier handbell ensemble of Singapore, and he was the co-conductor for the All-Star Handbell Ensemble at the 2018 Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has written articles for Overtones, Handbell Musicians of America’s quarterly journal, and has arranged and composed over 50 pieces of handbell music.
Repertoire
Each registrant is responsible for purchasing the following music:
- Laudation, Arnold Sherman, L4, 3-5 oct.
- Bwana Asifwe, Cathy Moklebust, L3+, 3-5 oct.
- In Memoriam, Michael Mazzatenta, L3+, 3-5 oct.
- Monkeys Spinning Monkeys, Kevin MacLeod, arr. Nicholas A. Hanson
- Pop piece chosen by DT attendees and arranged by Nicholas A. Hanson
Registration
Registration fee is $125
Cancellation Policy
From February 15, 2023, through June 30, 2023, the total fee, minus a $25 administrative charge, will be refunded. After June 30, 2023, no refund will be provided.