Brazos Bells Handbells

17/12/2020

A future ringer practices walking and ringing for a processional.

07/09/2020

Isn't this amazing? Perfectly executed sixteenth note runs on handbells. Great job, Kevin Quick

https://youtu.be/jKTZkjQcANM0

The Adventure Begins/Journey of Faith by Ron Mallory Played by Kevin Quick Five Octaves of Handbells and Auxiliary Percussion (c) 2017 Jeffers Handbell Suppl...

29/07/2020

This is amazingly great. Excellent ringing, unique video editing, - all done by two ringers. Enjoy

Allegro con moto Composer: Jason W. Krug aufgenommen in Gotha, während der Corona-Krise, Mai 2020 recorded in Gotha / Germany, during the Corona-Crisis, May ...

25/05/2020

A good reason to ring handbells.

12/03/2020

And bluebonnets that blanket the hillsides.

12/03/2020

Yellow weeds can be a thing of beauty.

12/03/2020

Add a little red.

12/03/2020

The beauty of green - ah, life!

12/03/2020

It's Spring Break so no handbell rehearsals. So, what to do? Go out and soak up some of the beauty outside. Such moments help musicians to be better musicians.

08/12/2019

A well-deserved break after finishing Brazos Bells' Christmas performances. It was one of the most rewarding sessions we have ever had. The outpouring of genuine expressions of appreciations, tears, and even the simple act of wrapping our hands in a clasp of "thank you so much" made every hour of practice time, the loading and unloading of equipment and bells, and the in and outs of four venue sites over a 3-day period worth it all. The Christmas spirit continues.

16/11/2019

The Christmas season is almost here. BBHE is hard at work polishing seven selections plus the ending "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" that will make up our program. We will be ringing at Argent Court and Kruse Village in Brenham, TX, (Dec. 4), Somerville Senior Center (Dec. 5) and finally, at the Latter Day Saints church in Brenham at 7:00 p.m. on the 6th. We have a wonderful group of ringers who are willing and committed to accomplishing great things in a short time.

12/09/2019

Fall Session 2019 - First Day
Activity #2 - Tennis Ball Bounce To Music

12/09/2019

What better way to begin the Fall Session of Brazos Bells than fellowship, food and fun activities!.
Activity 1: Our version of the cup game to practice keeping a steady beat, coordination, listening.

12/09/2019

It's time to start the Fall Session for Brazos Bells Handbell Ensemble.
Our ringers are READY, and so are our bells.

27/04/2019

Come back any time", they call.
This week was "concert week" at Brazos Bells HE. One of our objectives is to serve our community which we do by taking some of our concerts to those unable to get out to attend one. Often, some will be waiting and watching as we arrive, unload and set up. Seeing all of the effort we put into coming, our audience is most appreciative. As soon as the last note is rung, they make their way to the ringers to express gratitude. In the end, we are the one who are glad we came.
The first photo was on the front page of the Brenham-Banner, the others taken by BBHE.

04/03/2019

"Music Box Noel", Dan Edwards, arr.

04/03/2019

One of the most interesting and perhaps challenging Christmas pieces in terms of balancing the multi-strands of melodies being rung is Dan Edwards' "Music Box Noel". This was a solo piece for Brazos Bells at the 2011 "Ringing in the Seasons" concert. Music starts at 11 seconds.

04/03/2019

Several of the Brazos Bells ringers enjoying themselves at a handbell clinic held by Our Saviour's Lutheran Church - Bryan. Our hosts were very organized and efficient. Tammy Waldrop did a great job of directing and teaching the 5 pieces we were given at the clinic.

18/12/2018

12/12/2018

Tomorrow, Brazos Bells will be going out into our community to give Christmas presentations to those confined to homes for the elderly. What a blessing to serve those who were once servants themselves. We will be visiting three facilities - there were calls for more performances but unfortunately we couldn't meet every request. God be with us as we bring Christmas cheer to our elderly.

30/10/2018

Some of the Brazos Bells ringers participated in a handbell festival October 27. Conductor was Arnold Sherman. Arnold was an excellent instructor and conductor. We rang "Exultation" by Matthew Compton, "Fantasy on an Irish Tune" and "How Can I Keep From Singing?" by Arnold Sherman plus his new unpublished piece, "Good Christians All, Rejoice". What fun to ring with fellow ringers under a great composer and director!

30/09/2018

Choristers' Guild recording of "A Simple Dance" by Michael Glasgow -- A different approach to handbell /handchime solos. Actually, this was done to demonstrate to the ringers of the group how malleting should be light and bouncy and musical. Chimes were to demonstrate importance of damping and having a stroke that minimized the contact of the clappers.

24/09/2018

For 7 years, Brazos Bells hosted the "Ringing in the Seasons" (aka RITS) handbell clinic and evening public concert. This video is taken from the 2011 evening concert comprised of 8 handbell groups. Beth Reel Watson Judd is the Guest Conductor.

13/12/2016

Several of the Brazos Bells Ringers ring at Brenham's First Baptist Church. Below is the 2016 Christmas Program. Handbells begin the program with "Glory to the Newborn King" (Dan R Edwards, arr), "Christ the Babe is Lord of All (Jason Krug, arr.) with Nicole Cherry on violin, and "First Noel" (Cathy Moklebust, arr.) with Dr. Robert Haydon on organ

(N/A)

10/11/2016

Our military forces are pertinent to protect the freedoms we enjoy. To honor them, Brazos Bells gave a patriotic performances at three local facilities on November 8. Such a day merits a stop at the Blue Bell Creamery gift shop for ice cream.

16/06/2016

Brazos Bells had a wonderful experience today, ringing a Disney - themed music for the students attending Mission Brenham's JAM (Jesus and me) summer program. The kids were so well-behaved and the staff was so very cordial. A big 5-Star rating for this program whose goal is to train tomorrow's leaders.

29/12/2015

As a musical instrument, handbells are relatively new. The instrument was developed in the late 1800's and continues to evolve. Here are some copies of postcards from the late 1800's. The last group advertises they ring 131 bells.

11/11/2015

28/10/2015

Singing Bell Technique + HEAVY Bass Bell.
Solution: Box to hold bell for you as you use the dowell.

30/09/2015

Short of ringers for your low bass bells? Here is one solution: a console table that holds the bells. The ringer simply moves the clappers of the various bells as needed. This idea was discussed in the Handbells Spring 2009 issue:

15/06/2015

One of the helpful classes at Texas Conference Choir Camp is the reading packets where ringers sight read handbell music. Sight reading music that we have never seen is challenging but it gives ringers exposure to new music. Those pieces they like can then be purchased from the J. W. Pepper bookstore while at camp..

15/06/2015

Ringers from LaGrange UMC (Kim, Leslie and director Nancy) and Brazos Bells (Dixie) attended the Texas Conference Choir Camp. They are joined by handbell clinician Bob Avant.

15/06/2015

For the past 8 years, various ringers from Brazos Bells have participated in the Texas Conference Choir Camp, a week long camp focusing on musical arts. This year, Dee Rutledge attended. Bob Avant was the handbell clinician. Ruth Seiwell is the handbell director of the camp.

16/05/2015

With 3 presentations in one day, the ringers take the opportunity to sit down for a moment of fellowship.

16/05/2015

Our program for our Spring Session Concert. Our group has a spring session and a fall session. Some ringers ring both sessions, others may elect to sit out one or the other. Our ringers move into different positions as we each song. We are working hard to keep our minds from going stale and hope this works.