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You'd think we'd take a break after the Cutting Hall concert, but we were right back at rehearsal on Monday, getting ready some of the latest publications from GIA for recording next month.
At our business meeting, we debated adopting a slogan, "Most of the Notes, Most of the Time," but the motion was rejected. OK, we didn't really debate it, but it was suggested.
If you've got a suggestion for a slogan or tag line (a good one or even an unusable one), let us know by posting a comment here on the blog!
Thanks to everyone who came to the Cutting Hall concert. Special thanks to our volunteers who welcomed people while we were hiding backstage.
It's been a great Spring season. We really enjoyed the music in this year's program, and we hope you enjoyed it as well.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Tweet this postTuesday, May 6, 2008
Time to Record
Next week we'll be taking some of the songs from this season's Storm Warning concert and recording them to be included on a CD in the future.
Many people have asked when our next CD will be ready. Here's how we do it. Thanks to former CB ringer Karen Baumann for sharing this idea with us.
Each season, December and Spring, we schedule a recording session. We can record 4 or 5 songs in an evening, so we pick the songs we think would work best on a CD.
Our target is to get 16 songs on a CD, so it can take 4 seasons to build up enough tracks to publish a CD.
We worked extra hard to finally get Christmas in the City out. Next year, we'll finish the new CD of Spring-season titles from the past 4 years. Two years later, we should have another Christmas CD, and so on every 2 years.
Huge thanks to everyone who bought a CD. We're looking forward to the release of the next one in time for December 2009. It's going to have a really wide variety of music and will showcase how versatile handbells can be.
What do you think we should call the CD next year? Post back with your ideas!
Many people have asked when our next CD will be ready. Here's how we do it. Thanks to former CB ringer Karen Baumann for sharing this idea with us.
Each season, December and Spring, we schedule a recording session. We can record 4 or 5 songs in an evening, so we pick the songs we think would work best on a CD.
Our target is to get 16 songs on a CD, so it can take 4 seasons to build up enough tracks to publish a CD.
We worked extra hard to finally get Christmas in the City out. Next year, we'll finish the new CD of Spring-season titles from the past 4 years. Two years later, we should have another Christmas CD, and so on every 2 years.
Huge thanks to everyone who bought a CD. We're looking forward to the release of the next one in time for December 2009. It's going to have a really wide variety of music and will showcase how versatile handbells can be.
What do you think we should call the CD next year? Post back with your ideas!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Back from our Travels
We made it back from Cedar Rapids, the City of Five Seasons. Apparently the fifth season is Bell Season, and based on some of the comments of some of the folks we met, it was apparently well underway.
We had a great time at the workshop. Everyone got a chance to participate, and hopefully everyone walked away having learned something.
Some people tried to obtain the secret of the "Fred Flip," for switching between a Shelley and 4IH without putting the bell down. The FF continues to be an advanced technique which requires much patience and practice.
The concert was also a great success, in the accoustically-friendly chapel at Mt. Mercy College, which co-hosted the event with the Iowa State AGEHR committee. Thanks to everyone who came, and we hope we see some of you in Peoria this summer.
The Sandwich concert the next day was also well worth the trip, though most of us did not, in fact, eat a sandwich there. Apparently just about everyone eats at the Santa Fe Mexican restaurant on Church Street. This concert was notable as it was the first CB concert attended by a service dog, Henry the Poodle.
Proceeds from the concert were donated to the local food pantry, and we're thrilled to be a part of the Federated Church's outreach ministry.
Thank you to everyone who came to see us this weekend. We hope we get a chance to see you again soon.
We had a great time at the workshop. Everyone got a chance to participate, and hopefully everyone walked away having learned something.
Some people tried to obtain the secret of the "Fred Flip," for switching between a Shelley and 4IH without putting the bell down. The FF continues to be an advanced technique which requires much patience and practice.
The concert was also a great success, in the accoustically-friendly chapel at Mt. Mercy College, which co-hosted the event with the Iowa State AGEHR committee. Thanks to everyone who came, and we hope we see some of you in Peoria this summer.
The Sandwich concert the next day was also well worth the trip, though most of us did not, in fact, eat a sandwich there. Apparently just about everyone eats at the Santa Fe Mexican restaurant on Church Street. This concert was notable as it was the first CB concert attended by a service dog, Henry the Poodle.
Proceeds from the concert were donated to the local food pantry, and we're thrilled to be a part of the Federated Church's outreach ministry.
Thank you to everyone who came to see us this weekend. We hope we get a chance to see you again soon.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Concert Weekend
The concert weekend is finally here! We're heading to Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Saturday!
Everyone's got their carpool assignments.
We took out the brand new Port-a-bell cases for their inaugural journey.
We've got the workshop planned. There were 24 registered participants last week, but that number has doubled in just the past few days.
This trip represents a lot of firsts for Chicago Bronze, and we're looking forward to a great trip.
The trip Sunday to Sandwich, IL is not quite as far, but new to Chicago Bronze. We can't wait to meet the folks in Sandwich and find out what the local cuisine is like.
Everyone's got their carpool assignments.
We took out the brand new Port-a-bell cases for their inaugural journey.
We've got the workshop planned. There were 24 registered participants last week, but that number has doubled in just the past few days.
This trip represents a lot of firsts for Chicago Bronze, and we're looking forward to a great trip.
The trip Sunday to Sandwich, IL is not quite as far, but new to Chicago Bronze. We can't wait to meet the folks in Sandwich and find out what the local cuisine is like.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Georgia On My Mind
Hoagy Carmichael's "Georgia On My Mind," arranged by Hart Morris, has returned to the Chicago Bronze line-up this season. While it's the state song of Georgia, it was actually written for Carmichael's sister Georgia.
We love this piece, not just for the swinging rhythm and strong bass lines, but because it brings out a style that one typically does not hear from handbells. It's also fun to sing along! Not that that would ever happen at one of our rehearsals...
We love this piece, not just for the swinging rhythm and strong bass lines, but because it brings out a style that one typically does not hear from handbells. It's also fun to sing along! Not that that would ever happen at one of our rehearsals...
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Mailers are out!
Our latest newsletter is in the mail! If you're on our mailing list, you should be receiving it soon. If not, it's also on our website.
Largo
Another piece on this season's program is the Largo from Antonin Dvorak's Symphony #9 (From the New World), arranged by Valerie Stephenson. Valerie calls it "among the most enduring and appealing" pieces in symphonic literature. You may recognize it as the tune of the spiritual "Goin' Home."
It's arranged for 3 or 4 octaves of handbells, with optional handchimes, oboe, flute or C instruments. Chicago Bronze will be presenting this piece as just that: the bells, the handchimes, oboe by our own Joanne Nick and flute by our own Laura Olsen.
It's arranged for 3 or 4 octaves of handbells, with optional handchimes, oboe, flute or C instruments. Chicago Bronze will be presenting this piece as just that: the bells, the handchimes, oboe by our own Joanne Nick and flute by our own Laura Olsen.
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