Pikes Peak Ringers in Texas 2010

The Pikes Peak Ringers had a wonderful time presenting our music during our 2010 Texas spring concert series and thank all of our hosts!!!  Go over to the photo section to see more pictures and details on our tour page.

April 29, Preston Hollow UMC, Dallas

April 30, Woodway First UMC, Waco

May 1, Whites Chapel UMC, Southlake

May 2, St. Andrews UMC, Plano

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!

With just one combined rehearsal prior to the concert series, PPR and Heritage Brass packed them in at Ascension Lutheran Church on Friday, January 8th, and again at First Christian Church on Sunday, January 10th.  Folks were standing in the aisles and sitting in the church foyer to catch a glimpse of the amazing collaboration between the bell choir and brass quintet.  From the opening strains of Grand Choeur Dialogue, through the haunting melodies of Carillon and Grazioso, and all the way to the finale of Holy, Holy, Holy, the audience was enthralled with the beauty - and blown away with the volume!  Both concerts ended with standing ovations, leading to the dramatic encore performance of I Sing the Mighty Power of God.

Not only did this concert series mark the first collaboration between PPR and the Heritage Brass, but it also marked the concert directorial debut of Susan Hedgpeth, PPR’s new assistant director.  Many audience members commented after the concert that the two pieces she directed, Carillon and Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace, were their favorites in the entire program!

PPR and Heritage Brass were also excited to perform Dona Nobis Pacem, the award-winning composition that PPR recorded with Yo-Yo Ma in November 2009.  The cello melody line was played by a French horn and trumpet duet at both concerts, and was very enthusiastically received by both audiences.

Also performing in both concerts was the Forté handbell quartet, making their 2010 debut with Brethren, We Have Met to Worship and Song Without Words.  The two very different tune selections received rousing ovations from both concert audiences.

PPR’s collaboration with the Heritage Brass culminated in the recording studio two days after the concert series, where the groups recorded the five tracks they played together for an upcoming studio CD release.  So stay tuned!!!

The full concert program list was:

Grand Choeur Dialogue (Gigout/arr. McChesney) - PPR and Heritage Brass

Carillon (Wagner) - PPR

Brethren, We Have Met to Worship (Trad./arr. McChesney) – Forté

Alleluia (Thompson/arr. Blake) – Heritage Brass

Canzone Bergamasque (Scheidt/arr. Jones) – Heritage Brass

Dona Nobis Pacem (Trad./McChesney) – PPR and Heritage Brass

All Creatures of Our God and King (Melhybel/arr. McChesney) – PPR and Heritage Brass

Song Without Words (Alloy Orchestra/arr. McChesney) – Forté

When the Saints Go Marching In (Trad./arr. Allums) – Heritage Brass

Grazioso (Sherman) – PPR

Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace (McChesney) – PPR and Heritage Brass

Nimrod (Elgar/arr. McChesney) – PPR and Heritage Brass

Holy, Holy, Holy (Trad./arr. McChesney) – PPR and Heritage Brass

I Sing the Mighty Power of God – PPR