When I asked John to sing that song for me (so I could get the lyrics), John sang it more like "Hart Breaka, Dream Maka. So, Bell Ringa....
A couple of months ago, I was approached by my visiting teacher, asking if I wanted to join a local bell choir, sponsored by the local Catholic church. Absolutely!
Seriously, Tuesday evenings are the highlight of my weekday schedule. I love going to bell ringing rehearsals! I have the cutest stand partner (I'd be surprised if she was more than 100 pounds)--maybe that's why she rings the smallest bells, although I don't know what my excuse is.... This choir has been growing for almost 30 years now through generous donations of members of the church--it's amazing to see the number of bells they have purchased over the years.
The people are so friendly, and the music is just beautiful. I'm in the beginning choir (or the newb choir, as Mark would say), mostly because I don't have a clue about the technique of ringing a bell. I just try and get the right bell to ring at the right time.
I couldn't resist asking Johannah if she wanted to come to. She was hooked after the first rehearsal and is now a more permanent member of the choir than I am. In fact, we have a regional bell ringing festival to attend in April, and she was asked to play a viola solo (originally written for cello) in one of the numbers! Believe me, we cleared that day in April so that we can both attend.
This month, I was able to attend my first performance. Catholic Mass. Hmmmm, not so excited about that. You know how most people attend rehearsals so that they can perform? I attend performances so that I can go to rehearsals :-) Attending a private, Episcopal school for grade school, I participated in more daily morning masses than any child should ever be subjected to--I wasn't too excited to return to that part of the performance, although it was a bit amazing to see how much I remembered of the service itself. But ringing the bells? I love it.
It did give me a chance though to be thankful for my own religion. I love being a Mormon. I love the wonderful feeling of the spirit in church meetings. I love the closeness that I feel to my Heavenly Father. I must admit that the Catholics as a whole are much, MUCH friendlier than I have found the Pennsylvania Mormons to be, but I'm still glad that I hold the beliefs that I do. I especially love our conductor, Gail--she has the patience of Job, and is extremely positive. All good things for any musical director.
Really, I feel like I get the best of many worlds by being a member of this choir--the friendliness of the fellow bell ringers, the happiness of my own religion, and the joy of music. What more could I want?
A couple of months ago, I was approached by my visiting teacher, asking if I wanted to join a local bell choir, sponsored by the local Catholic church. Absolutely!
Seriously, Tuesday evenings are the highlight of my weekday schedule. I love going to bell ringing rehearsals! I have the cutest stand partner (I'd be surprised if she was more than 100 pounds)--maybe that's why she rings the smallest bells, although I don't know what my excuse is.... This choir has been growing for almost 30 years now through generous donations of members of the church--it's amazing to see the number of bells they have purchased over the years.
The people are so friendly, and the music is just beautiful. I'm in the beginning choir (or the newb choir, as Mark would say), mostly because I don't have a clue about the technique of ringing a bell. I just try and get the right bell to ring at the right time.I couldn't resist asking Johannah if she wanted to come to. She was hooked after the first rehearsal and is now a more permanent member of the choir than I am. In fact, we have a regional bell ringing festival to attend in April, and she was asked to play a viola solo (originally written for cello) in one of the numbers! Believe me, we cleared that day in April so that we can both attend.
This month, I was able to attend my first performance. Catholic Mass. Hmmmm, not so excited about that. You know how most people attend rehearsals so that they can perform? I attend performances so that I can go to rehearsals :-) Attending a private, Episcopal school for grade school, I participated in more daily morning masses than any child should ever be subjected to--I wasn't too excited to return to that part of the performance, although it was a bit amazing to see how much I remembered of the service itself. But ringing the bells? I love it.
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| Here's set up before rehearsal on Sunday. See Hannie peeking her head out from behind the conductor? |
It did give me a chance though to be thankful for my own religion. I love being a Mormon. I love the wonderful feeling of the spirit in church meetings. I love the closeness that I feel to my Heavenly Father. I must admit that the Catholics as a whole are much, MUCH friendlier than I have found the Pennsylvania Mormons to be, but I'm still glad that I hold the beliefs that I do. I especially love our conductor, Gail--she has the patience of Job, and is extremely positive. All good things for any musical director.
Really, I feel like I get the best of many worlds by being a member of this choir--the friendliness of the fellow bell ringers, the happiness of my own religion, and the joy of music. What more could I want?
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Look at you! That is wonderful that you discovered new that you love.
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