Unpublished Music Reading Sessions

HANDBELL MUSICIANS OF AMERICA NATIONAL SEMINAR, 2020

Hello, composers and arrangers!

We’re looking forward to continuing this productive and enjoyable time together in Orlando! The UMRS are being offered in a track format with two sessions.

• Session 11, Sunday July 19, from 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
• Session 15, Monday, July 20, from 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM

UMRS is a terrific opportunity for any composer or arranger to hear his or her unpublished creation(s) sightread by a group of people who are kind, constructive, and enthusiastic about handbells!

If you wish to ring in the demonstration choir, or just sit and listen, you do not need to register in advance. Demonstration choirs will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, though registered composers will receive a “place at the table” before other ringers. We will have multiple sets of handbells and chimes (specific octaves are unspecified at this time, but at least five octaves of bells and three octaves of chimes are reasonable expectations), and we will have mallets. Everyone should bring gloves. Music will be organized into notebooks on gracious loan to us from Jeffers Handbell Supply.

Composers and arrangers, you must register your composition for reading in order to have your music on the list for playing in one of the two sessions.  Pieces will be taken in order of submission through the above link as time permits.

Registering your composition for reading in the UMRS is easy – follow the link above to let us know you plan to participate. From those registrations, a schedule will be created. To maximize efficiency and fairness, composers/arrangers are asked to attend both sessions in their entirety (just like a ringing track), as the rotation will run as a continuum from one session to the next.

To help everyone understand the system, here’s a list of anticipated FAQs. Please contact me at the address below if you have additional questions.

Q: WHO MAY PARTICIPATE?

A: Anyone may come to ring or listen, with no registration in advance. As for who may register to present a piece, anyone who has something they’ve written or arranged! (Please include permission-to-arrange clearances on all copies of arrangements of non-public-domain pieces.) You don’t have to be previously published, write at a certain level, in a certain style, or for a certain number of octaves or ringers.

Q: HOW EXACTLY DO YOU DEFINE “UNPUBLISHED?”

A: If your piece is in print with a publisher or “self-published” for sale, it is NOT eligible. If your piece is under contract with a publisher, it is NOT eligible. If, however, you have submitted your piece for publication and are awaiting a response or have had it rejected at the time of the UMRS, you are welcome to present it.

Q: DO I HAVE TO HAVE THE MUSIC PRINTED ON A COMPUTER?

A: Not at all. If you write by hand, you’re welcome. Just remember that legibility often helps ensure success, especially in a sightreading setting.

Q: HOW DO I SUBMIT MY MANUSCRIPTS?

A: Each composer/arranger is responsible for bringing copies of his/her own pieces. The following applies to all composers/arrangers:

• Please make these copies at home and bring them with you; it saves the hassle and expense of finding a copy center at or around the hotel.
• Bring a copy for yourself (or a guest director, see below) and at least 20 additional copies of each piece, and PLEASE HAVE THEM HOLE-PUNCHED. Even if your piece is for a smaller number of octaves, at least 20 copies are requested so that even those not ringing may follow along in the score (you’ll appreciate it when it’s your turn to sit out from ringing).
• While it’s not required, having the music run on 11×17 paper and folded in half like a traditional bell folio will be far more manageable than a bunch of single-sided copies.
• When you check in at the start of Seminar, you should leave the copies of your piece(s) at the Registration Desk. (If you have more than one piece, please indicate your priority order for them. I will collate sets of music to save us time in the actual Sessions.

Q: I’M NOT A CONDUCTOR – MAY I STILL BRING MY WORK?

A: Of course! If you are a composer/arranger but not a director, I will be happy to conduct the piece for you, or you may bring a colleague along to do so.

Q: HOW LONG CAN THE PIECE BE? MAY I “WORK ON IT” AT ALL?

A: Since time is always a factor, each piece will be given no more than 10 minutes (including setup time), allowing us at least six to seven pieces per session. You may use the time as you wish, should you desire to work through a tricky spot or experiment with a different technique somewhere. Remember, everyone is sightreading, so the piece is unlikely to be “performance ready” during this session. In fairness to other composers, please do not monopolize the session or push the envelope with your time (everyone will be given a “one minute left” warning if they get to that point). And if your piece is short and you’re happy with it, feel free to end your time early; this will allow us to get through more music.

Q: DO I HAVE TO BE THERE TO HAVE MY PIECE RUNG?

A: Absolutely! Since this is designed to be an opportunity to get feedback on your piece, and/or hear it rung by an actual bell choir with your actual ears, pieces will not be rung wif the composers/arrangers are not present . All composers and arrangers are asked to attend the entirety of both sessions.

Q: BUT WHAT IF I’M SCHEDULED TO CONDUCT OR TEACH DURING A SESSION?

A: The Seminar offers many classes in “track” format. Part of the strength of the event is how many choices there are – but that can also make those choices difficult sometimes. If you’re unable to commit to both sessions, please consider coming as you are able, as a ringer and/or observer.

Q: MAY I BRING A PIECE WITH EXTRA INSTRUMENTS?

A: Of course you may. You just won’t be able to hear those parts unless you provide the instrument and the player.

Q: WHAT IF THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY PIECES TO GET THROUGH?

A: We simply may not get through everything. However, since the “initial list” of composers/arrangers will be created on a first-come, first-served basis, the “cut-off point” will be fair. Every registrant is subject to the “as time permits” clause.

Q: WHAT IF SOMEONE IS LATE, OR DOESN’T SHOW UP?

A: Both sessions will begin promptly. PUNCTUALITY MOTIVATION: any registrant on any list who isn’t present at the start of each session will be moved to the end of the line. When his or her work comes up in rotation, it will simply be skipped and returned to at the end, time permitting.

Thanks in advance to all of the composers, arrangers, ringers, spectators, equipment suppliers, event staff and coordinators whose hard work will be represented at the UMRS. The registration is a bit detailed and the rules are firm, but this will help us maximize our time together, giving us the opportunity to get through even more wonderful creations!

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail. And please spread the word: encourage others to join us!

Bill Mathis
Questions maybe directed to [email protected]