TONE TOGETHERNESS
I enjoy listening to, and watching good hand bell choirs.
Too often, I find, hand bell groups are tolerated and thought of as activity for children only. As a rule there is only shallow praise when such a group performs in secular or church setting.
The next time you have the opportunity, make the most of it and look and listen with special care to see the deeper values of this form of musical presentation.
Look where you will and it will prove to be difficult to find a better example of co-operation. Every member is dependent on all others.
That sense of dependency within the mind of all concerned engenders a measure of unity such as it seldom found in whatever together. You are depended upon to provide an exact note at a prescribed second and for a definite length of time. You built on what the player before you has provided and you serve as proper guide to the person who will sound the tone to follow yours. There is not room for error. Individual players perform as a unified amalgam.
Playing in a hand bell group demands close attention to the director. That is the source of expressiveness for such a group and by judicious use of subtle texture and density control, the skilled director can add enjoyment for the hearers.
The special niche required by musicians who under take to play in such groups is duel in nature. For the young beginner musician it is a discipline in time, tone and in taking direction, and for the accomplished musician it can be a reminiscent moment each time one does it recalling earlier efforts at attainment of varied musical skills.
The next time you have an opportunity to enjoy such music, make the most of it. Make it your own by genuine appreciation of the work the players are doing on your behalf.
I often find I actually hear far more than what is being done “before my very ears”. I have the bells play with pipe but that, as a rule, seems to become overbearing at times. I would like to hear a good bell choir with a concert harp as background.
I don't know why , but bells and harps seem to be compatible and commendable. It would sound heaven sent.
A. L. M. October 22, 2002 [c398wds]
