Handbell Program

This program, which is currently planting its first handbell seeds, aims to teach students the technique, care, and theory of handbells, forming groups that can achieve a good sound by uniting all their members. However, they also have an important goal, which is to promote the art of handbells in Colombia.

Objectives

  • Learn the corresponding warm-ups and stretches to avoid injuries.

  • Learn the care of the bells to keep them in good condition.

  • Learn the care of the bells to keep them in good condition.

  • Learn sheet music reading focused on the bells

Stages

Awareness
  1. Learn the warm-up and stretching exercises, mainly for arms and hands, to avoid injuries.

  2. Learn the history of basic bells, how they are constructed, and their proper use and care to avoid damage, as they are a delicate instrument.

  3. Learn basic bell notation and how it is interpreted.

Fundamentals
  1. Introduction to the SERENATA INFANTIL method compiled and arranged by Maestro ENRIQUE RIVERA.

  2. Scale exercises that begin to work on group synchronization based on the autonomy of each bell ringer.

  3. Dynamics exercises on the bells (forte, piano, mezzo).

Deepening
  1. Achieve the total maturation of the group so that all the bell ringers sound as if they were a single instrument played by the conductor.

Bibliography

  • Carlos Enrique Rivera Aponte, SERENATA INFANTIL, Música Infantil del Folclór Puertorriqueño y Latinoamericano para Campanas de Mano. 2013.

  • The American Guild of English Hanbell Ringers, HANDBELL & HANDCHIME NOTATION, Handbell & Handchime Notation Difficulty Level System Solo and Ensemble Notation.

  • Shulmercich Bells LLC. Cómo empezar con las campanas de mano.