The second annual Pikes Peak Ringers handbell workshop was held on January 30th at First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, and it was a sold-out success!  Over 130 ringers from all over Colorado packed into the church’s Weber Street Center for a day of ringing, socializing, and fun! 

The day began with a mass ringing session directed by Kevin McChesney, who taught and reviewed several different movement and presentation techniques, with the Pikes Peak Ringers front and center to demonstrate.  PPR also held an “open rehearsal” during this session, led by assistant director Susan Hedgpeth, which gave the participants a behind-the-scenes look at how PPR learns and rehearses their music. 

Next, the ringers divided up into the first of three different breakout sessions to focus on the specific techniques of weaving, playing four-in-hand, and working with bass bells.  Lunch was included in the registration fee, and all of the ringers gathered in the Weber Center’s lobby for an hour of food and fellowship, with PPR members having the opportunity to mingle with and get to know the participants one-on-one, forming many new friendships.  A special introductory class for beginners was held at the end of the lunch hour, as was a first-time-ever Director’s class.  Several participants also joined some PPR members for an informal meeting to discuss volunteer opportunities within the growing PPR organization. 

The final mass ringing session of the day gave all of the partipants the chance to put their new skills and techniques into practice while sightreading several different pieces directed by McChesney, and the day ended with a mini-concert performed by PPR and the Forté handbell quartet.

Special recognition must be given to the Pikes Peak Youth Ringers, who were on hand the entire day assisting participants with the loading and unloading of equipment, and helping PPR leaders during the breakout sessions.  They received many compliments and enthusiastic support from all of the attendees, and we are all looking forward to their concert debut later this spring!

Thank you to everyone who came and supported this wonderful event!  To receive all the latest information about future PPR workshops and events, be sure to sign up for our e-mail list, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and stay tuned right here at PikesPeakRingers.com!