Handbell Tour 2010

By Daniel Moore

Keeping in mind that the concert repertoire was as musically challenging as it could be, that the entire ensemble had waded emotionally through weeks and weeks of personnel uncertainty and changing assignments, and that the weather was at its most uncooperative, this was a tour for the record books. I know, I know; I say that every year and my most beloved and gullible readers believe it (for the most part). But this one was indeed special and had it not been for the eternal battle with the elements, I would dub this one the best tour ever. No need to ask why.

Here it is:

Thursday began with only the threat of rain. Would we make the trip to Hampton CT dry and in the proper frame of mind to indulge in a two-hour rehearsal (we had not worked together since the previous Tuesday)? The initial set-up of equipment is always interesting to watch as the ringers quickly learn that bell cases go to the back of the performing space, pads and tables to the front. With a new set of tables and brand new drapes and covers, the process was something of a Three Stooges episode – people bumping into each other, putting drapes on backwards, moving cases to the wrong end of the configuration, more bumping………. Chaperone Ginger Cater and I sat and watched, laughed under our breath, and waited until the seniors finally took control and turned the confusion into productivity. All this took place under the whimsical and all-knowing grin of Lindsey Epstein, our saving handbell angel; she had been there and all done that many, many times.

Our concert and overnight hosts treated us royally. Snacks abounded, pizza was hot, salad was tasty, beverages were plentiful, and rehearsal was most productive. An appreciative mid-week audience of 175 cheered, applauded, and supported the ringers as they made the music of their lives – most of it without me. It is always our goal to have the ringers perform at least one or two selections without a conductor by the end of the season; this year it was 75% of the concert, and early to boot.

Friday was an uneventful trip across the GW in New York and south to West Long Branch, NJ as we returned to a previous concert venue. After a few hours of R & R in a brand new Holiday Inn Express, the ringers were ready to again brave the torrential downpours and prepare for the next concert. We were welcomed by one of the grand dames of handbell ringing, Dr. Doris Watson. She greeted us with tears in her eyes, open arms, her old Wheeler cap on her head, and an entourage of volunteers who stood ready to do our bidding. Another fine concert followed an extraordinary church supper (those Lutherans really put on a spread!). The audience was as packed as it was nine years ago when last we performed there. Many original audience members greet us, purchased CD’s and wished us well at the post-concert reception. At the end of the concert, Dr. Watson was still in tears fearing that she might not be around for our next visit; she’s 89 years young and to my eyes, hasn’t slowed down a bit!

Saturday, the deluge and the good spirits continued as we made our way west to the King of Prussia (PA) mall. Conversations about floating the bus and trailer in the passing lane to save gas didn’t amuse me; I was struggling to keep the ship mini-bus on the road, listen to Betty (my GPS) bark directions at me, and all the while worrying that the dampness we had discovered in the trailer would be worse after two hours of navigating in the monsoon. I was not disappointed.

Arrival at the Good Shepherd Lutheran church in KoP revealed soaked table pads, and damp bell cases. We were fortunate that the church had enough padding to suit our set-up and dodging the leaks from the ceiling, we managed to get our equipment ready for the evening festivities, run the usual acoustic check, and practice our oh-so-cool processional (walking and playing at the same time).

This particular venue is one that has welcomed Wheeler ringer on at least five occasions! We’ve made some good friends there and all of them showed up for the concert, many offered overnight accommodations, and all talked about the ‘old days’. Unfortunately, our contact from previous visits has been very ill and was not expected to attend the dinner or concert. To my surprise and delight, Dot Price appeared in the doorway two minutes before the concert, cane and oxygen in one hand, umbrella in the other, accompanied by her son who proclaimed that she was NOT going to miss this concert for any reason. She too sported an old Wheeler cap; we presented her with a new one!

Sunday, Sunday………rain has let up just a bit. We pack equipment that had dried out in the church over night. An hour’s research (in the local Starbuck’s) revealed that there was an arcade/indoor mini-golf/laser tag facility just a few miles away. Off we went. Two hours later, the bus was loaded with stuffed animals and other bits of kitsch – all the spoils of a good time. Our last concert destination, the Philadelphia Protestant Home was at least an hour’s drive so off we trudged. Greeted at the door by Mackenzie’s grandfather, we were ushered into a hall nearly the size of our field house, complete with stage, and seating for at least 250. Set-up, changing into concert garb was old-hat by now; no bumping, no questions, no insecurity. Each ringer had figured out their responsibility and in record time, we were ready. As we munched on soft Philly pretzels, we watch the audience assemble.

First entered the totally ambulatory residents, chatting loudly with each other, introducing themselves to the ringers, and claiming the best seats right up front! Then came the second wave – those residents who were ambulatory yet needed training wheels for stability. They interacted less with the ringers yet studied the curious instruments on the stage as if they were in for some other-worldly intergalactic experience. Pointing, gesturing, and commenting on the size of the bass bells (could someone really pick them up?), and generally trying to anticipate what they were about to see and hear. Finally, just moments before concert time, came the wheelchair brigade: silent, pushed by aides, some on the verge of a nap, they came in by the drove. By this point all of the seats had been filled and aides lined up additional row after row with a sea of chrome and large wheels, blankets and pillows. Needless to say, the ringers and I were not quite sure how the audience would respond. In our obligatory pre-concert pep-talk/chat, we agreed that this audience was going to challenge us to play the best concert ever, display more energy and enthusiasm than usual, and engage them in every way possible with our music.

If you’re ever looking for an additional opportunity to be proud of Wheeler students, here it is. The ringers were at their very best musically, personally, and as ambassadors for their school. They smiled, answer questions from the audience with confidence, and engaged everyone in the room with their music. Words fail me; you had to be there!

Following Philadelphia, we were off to our next Holiday Inn Express (swimming pool, free breakfast, and incredible rooms for cheap!) to dump our gear, change our clothes, and head for a pre-arranged outing at a local bowling alley. For the devotee of bowling, this was not a pretty site. The ringers invented several new techniques for delivering the ball to the pins, some more effective than others yet all hilarious. We laughed ourselves all the way to the local Friendly’s for dinner, and the giggles continued until room check at 11: pm.

Monday: breakfast followed by a short ride to the Makmark Handbell factory for a tour of the plant, some simple adjustments to a few of our chimes, and a bit of downtime for me in anticipation of 6 hours of bucking headwinds all the way back to Providence. We left the factory with request for graduation gifts, birthday presents, etc. Everyone had found a new (and expensive toy) to add to our instrumentarium. Most of them settled for souvenirs of rejected castings.

The headwinds did not disappoint, the ringers did not disappoint, and the whole experience reinforced the notion that this is truly a unique musical and personal experience for all – ringers, director, and chaperone. Thanks, Ginger!

dkm