We are excited to share our 2027 Spring Ring information with you!
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Introducing this year's director/clinician, Lynn Atkins!
Dr. Lynn Gary Atkins, Jr. is an active conductor, educator, and advocate for the handbell art form whose career spans classrooms, concert halls, and community ensembles. A native of the Jersey Shore, he began his musical journey through the handbell training program at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, where he studied with Kathleen Ebling Shaw and performed with the Westminster Concert Bell Choir. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Westminster and later completed the dual Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in choral conducting performance, pedagogy, and literature at James Madison University, where he was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda and Mu Phi Epsilon. Dr. Atkins currently serves on the National Board of Directors for Handbell Musicians of America and is the Artistic Director of L.A. Bronze Handbell Ensemble, leading dynamic performances that highlight the artistry and versatility of handbells. His leadership has also included directing the James River Ringers in Richmond, Virginia, and the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble, where he fostered creativity and collaboration. Beyond his handbell work, Dr. Atkins is Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at California State University, Dominguez Hills and performs with the Long Beach Camerata Singers and Catalyst Chamber Ensemble. Lynn’s work celebrates connection, creativity, and the belief that music has the power to inspire and transform. |
Spring Ring | 2027
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What is Spring Ring?
Saturday Massed Ringing Rehearsals, and a Concert: Spring Ring offers a full day of ringing. Expect some teaching from the podium. Lynn Atkins, like our recent clinicians, is an amazing teacher and conductor. MASSED RINGING: Add your notes to those of other ringers and groups to make glorious music together. Please purchase and prepare the music for Massed Ringing in advance. Our massed rehearsal time is SHORT! Lynn will work on the interpretation of the music, not the assignments or notes and rhythms. Although there are five pieces on the massed ringing repertoire list, individuals or full ensembles may choose to sit out of any piece as needed. We want this to be fun and rewarding! Please note that all five pieces offer compatible 2-3 octave and and 3-4-5-6 octave arrangements. RALLY RING: Ensembles (any size!) that are registered for Spring Ring are invited to perform their own selection for the rest of the groups and our audience in the final concert. Sign up for a performance slot when you register, and let us know what piece you will perform. CONCERT: It's more fun to play for an audience! But we need YOU to invite them! 6:30 p.m. at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church. Though it is FREE, we will take a free-will offering. Please invite family and friends to the concert featuring YOU! Tables: All tables will be provided and will already be set up when you arrive. Tables are 8' long. You will need to provide your own foam, bells, table covers, and accessories. (mallets, binders, music, gloves, etc.) Music Exchange: We will once again have a table where you may lay out music you no longer use. Feel free to help yourself from the FREE exchange. Snacks and drinks: We will provide coffee, tea, and water. Want snacks? Please bring some to share during the breaks! |
2027 Spring Ring Repertoire
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Intense Ring | 2027
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Dear "Want to be Challenged" Ringer,
If you have not participated in this event before, it is a chance to play music under a seasoned director, at a more advanced level than you might experience with your home choir. You will work the repertoire up to performance level in just one day, with rehearsal on Saturday morning, and a run-through right before the concert: it's intense! But if you love to ring, it's also very fun! To register for this event, simply click on the Intense Ring Registration link and submit. The deadline to apply is early in March. Assignments will be made by the second week of March. With only a few weeks to prepare, you will want to order your music as soon as you send in your fees. Once you have your music and receive your assignments you can get started making sure you really know your part. There are no classes involved with this additional activity—just ringing, ringing, and more ringing—but you will learn a great deal in a short amount of time! Fill out the form, wait for confirmation, and enjoy! |
2027 Intense Ring RepertoireSoliloquy for Bells, Karen Buckwalter
3-5 Octaves, Level N/A Shawnee Press/Hal Leonard HP5175 Fantasy on King's Weston, arr. Fred Gramann 3-5 Octaves, Level 5 Agape/Hope HP1671 |