Pacific Northwest Youth Handbell Conference

YOUTH HANDBELL EVENT MOVES NORTH TO SAMMAMISH

We have a healthy group of young handbell ringers in the Washington/Oregon area that meet each year for a conference focused on youth, ages elementary through high school.  Alternate years see this even in the Portland and Seattle areas. This year the event is in Sammamish at Pine Lake Covenant Church (1715  228^th Avenue SE), March 25 and 26.  An open concert will be presented Saturday evening at 7:00 PM.

This year’s event is sponsored by larger national parent group; Area 10 and Seattle group Emerald City Ringers.  Invited guest clinician, Kathleen Wissinger, comes from Virginia to lead the young ringers in both smaller groups and massed ringing.  With over 50 handbell pieces in print (two included in the concert), Kath is well-known for innovative arrangements and original compositions.  She has directed youth choirs since 1988 and regularly serves as a clinician for adults and youth in festivals and workshops around the country.  She has served on her local area board of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (soon to be Handbell Musicians of America), and she teaches middle high handbell classes in a private school as well as piano in her home.

Friday evening two youth groups will have private time with their leader to evaluate their progress and offer coaching tips. All ringers will spend their Saturday together to polish music that they have been working on in recent months, and present a concert in the evening.  The program is open to the public and your presence would further encourage their excitement about handbell ringing.

For more information contact Alice Lewis (425 432 0366).

Photo available.