Ringing Presentations June 15, 2008

Dunblane Cathedral Handbell Ringers invite you to join them at the 31st Anniversary Annual Presentation Evening of all the handbell groups in Dunblane Cathedral on Sunday 15th June at 7.30pm. Performances by each of the 5 groups – nearly 60 ringers from age 8 to adult.

Dunblane Cathedral begin a new group for children in primary 4 every year in February, and in this, their first public performance fourteen 8-year-olds will mesmerise and delight with how much they have learned about music notes, rhythms and performance skills. Fourteen 9-11-year-olds will follow with lively performances of “Lazy Boogie Bells” and “The Jazzy Potato”, fun original pieces by US composer Kirtsy Mitchell. The high school group will show off their versatility with music from Disney’s The Lion King, as well as an evocative contemporary piece by US composer Michael Helman. And the two adult groups will show just how versatile and entertaining a handbell ensemble can be with a mix of well-known music and contemporary original compositions.

Handbell ringing is a highly cooperative performing art. Ringers combine synchronised movement with musical energy to create what might be described as a larger-than-life and highly visual musical box.

Each of the performances will be interspersed with some background information about the groups and presentations to ringers. The performances will be followed by refreshments in the hall. Admission is free admission with donations invited.

DUNBLANE CATHDERAL HANDBELL RINGERS are widely regarded as Scotland's leading handbell ensemble and have Scotland's largest range of acoustic handbells - a 61-note 5-octave span of Malmark, Whitechapel and Schulmerich handbells. Since formation over 30 years ago they have made 15 television appearances, 22 radio broadcasts, travelled over 35,000 throughout the UK to give over 650 performances from Exeter to Inverness, won a UK-wide competition open to all 1000 handbell groups in the UK, shared stages with 15 well-known orchestras, bands or choirs, performed in 9 different countries, produced 3 commercial recordings and been featured on those of 2 other groups, been selected to perform at national showcase concerts of the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain on 4 occasions, and performed in 5 international symposia. Notable performance venues have included Scotland's major concert venues such as the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Edinburgh's Usher Hall, Glasgow City Hall, and Dundee's Caird Hall. They have performed alongside many celebrated soloists such as Donald Maxwell, Linda Ormiston and Peter Morrison.

Official Website: http://www.dunblanecathedral.org.uk