Saint
Andrew the Apostle Youth Handbell Ministry:
2011-2012
Saint Andrew’s has two advanced youth handbell choirs that perform at Masses throughout the traditional school year. The two youth handbell choirs include students in grades 6 – 12. Each choir is limited to eleven ringers.
Students interested in ringing handbells begin by attending a handbell camp to learn basic handbell techniques and how to read handbell music. After attending camp, your child’s name can be placed on the waiting list for the Beginner’s Handbell Choir.
The Beginners’ Handbell Choir will meet on Monday evenings from 5-6 pm during Fall 2011. New ringers are invited to join this handbell choir when an opening occurs. This handbell choir includes new ringers in grades 4 – 8. This choir is limited to eight ringers. Christine Schlacter is the director of this choir.
Students from the Beginners’ Handbell Choir are invited to
join the Junior Youth Ministry Handbell Choir (JYMHB) as spaces become
available. Students must have demonstrated
a high level of commitment to the Beginners’ Handbell Choir, exhibited
excellent music reading skills and demonstrated excellent ringing technique to
advance to this choir. JYMHB is directed
by
Students from JYMHB are invited to join the Total Youth
Ministry Handbell Choir (TYMHB) as spaces become available. Students must have demonstrated a high level
of commitment to JYMHB, exhibited excellent music reading skills and
demonstrated excellent ringing technique to advance to TYMHB. TYMHB is directed by
All ringers must be
available to ring on Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday.
Attendance at rehearsals is extremely important. Each ringer is responsible for 2-4
bells. There are no substitutes if you
are missing. If the handbell schedule
conflicts with your child’s sports, dance or scouting schedule, please
reconsider whether or not this is an appropriate activity for your child. The success of each handbell choir depends
on the sincere commitment of each ringer to be at every rehearsal and Mass.
Ringers must wear shirts that cover their shoulders completely at all rehearsals and Masses. Please do not wear anything with buttons or zippers. No jewelry, please.
Parents should walk their ringer into each rehearsal. On occasion, we must quickly relocate to room214 or the fellowship hall when a funeral is scheduled for a Saturday morning. All parents must complete emergency forms at the first rehearsal. Parents also volunteer to assist at one or two rehearsals each year.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. We’re looking forward to a great year of bell ringing!