Scholarship offered for CT Spring Ring

News flash: Shoreline Ringers has announced that they will sponsor a scholarship for a bell choir to attend the CT Spring Ring on April 26, 2014. The scholarship is for a bell choir who has not attended Spring Ring as a whole unit before. The scholarship will cover registration expenses and the cost of music for the event, up to $300.

Bell choirs who wish to apply should do so by April 1, 2014. Contact Mobby Larson at ct.area1@handbellmusicians.org You should include the name of the group, the sponsoring church or school (if applicable), the director’s name and contact information, and the names of ringers in the group who will attend, as well as a paragraph stating why you would like to attend and how you hope your choir will benefit. The group will be selected by April 5 and all applicants will be notified. Each person should complete his/her online registration. If members have already registered, a refund up to $300 will be issued.

The sponsored bell choir is encouraged to perform a selection of their choice at the closing concert on April 26.

North Stonington Praise

Inspirational …….well executed…….technically brilliant………superb musicianship. These are just a few words to describe the outstanding concert the Shoreline Ringers presented at North Stonington Congregational Church in their last concert of the 2013 Christmas season on January 5, 2014, which was appropriately, Epiphany Sunday. IMG_2066
The Shoreline Ringers played to a packed sanctuary and the audience was mesmerized by this outstanding group of musicians. The audience ranged from people who have never seen handbells to people who I call “Shoreline groupies”, who have never missed one of their concerts.
My own choirs at the church were in utter amazement by this handbell ensemble.  Others were heard saying “I did not know that bells could sound like that” and “Where are they playing next?” to comments such as “We have to have them back here again!”
This concert brought people from all over the region to our little village church and the sense of community was joyful. The ringers are the friendliest people and were more than happy to show audience members the handbells up close at the conclusion of the concert.
Director, Jane Nolan’s ability to program such a diverse and entertaining program, shows just one of her many skills in the art of handbells. Her outstanding conducting combined with the ringers’ expertise, showcased the Shoreline Ringers ability to ring with musical precision, demonstrating clean attacks and brilliant releases.
This was a wonderful Christmas gift to the community of North Stonington.
Michael G. Noonan
Director of Music / Organist
North Stonington Congregational Church (UCC)
North Stonington, CT