Anthornis
November 3-4, 2023
The event is named “Anthornis” after New Zealand bellbirds. The bellbirds sing loud, rich rambling songs, often in duet or with neighboring birds in concert. They have three distinct songs; one most often sung at dawn, is a series of pure, bell-like tones from which the bird gets its name. Note that a bell shape is formed when the two birds are combined in the logo above.
This year’s clinician is
Brian Childers
from Charlotte, North Carolina.
This event is for those who want to ring more challenging music.
Start lining up your ringing buddies to come together.
Sponsored by:
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road
Apple Valley, Minnesota
A link to access the Registration process will be posted here when available.
$70 per person.
Bring your own lunch;
Or you may order a catered box lunch.
Check back here for more details.
Registration deadline is October 22, 2023.
Registration will open in August, 2023.
Follow this link or scan the QR code below
Everyone must register as an individual but groups are most welcome.
Some handbell equipment is provided.
You may also bring your own (foam, handbells, handchimes, mallets, etc.)
In order for the Anthornis event to be successful, each ringer must come fully prepared with the event repertoire well rehearsed. The massed rehearsals on Saturday are used for the clinician to put finishing touches on each piece.
Register now. The event Registrar will respond within a week with your ringing assignment.
Purchase the event repertoire (6 pieces) from your favorite handbell music vendor.
There are several ways to prepare for the Anthornis experience:
- Play the sound files for each piece while you play your assigned bells.
The link to the sound files and rehearsal notes is listed in the REPERTOIRE tab. - Find some friends to rehearse with, while playing the sound files.
- There are two rehearsal groups in the Area.
This is a great opportunity for individual ringers to rehearse with a group.
PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA
Contact Sandy Mullaney asap: [email protected]
Rehearsals Monday nights 6:30-8:30PM October 9, 16, 23, 30
Church of the Epiphany: 4900 Nathan Lane, Plymouth, MNMILWAUKEE area, WISCONSIN
Contact Stacey Nordmeyer asap: [email protected]
Rehearsals a couple Monday nights in October – TBA 6:15pm
Unity Lutheran Church: Christ the King campus, 4600 Pilgrim Road, Brookfield, WI
Schedule of Event
Friday Reading Session. 7:00-9:00PM
Saturday 8:30AM-3:15PM—Massed Rehearsals
Saturday 3:30PM free concert open to the public.
Please bring one or more non-perishable food items for the local food shelf. Thank you!
FOOD;
Saturday mid-morning wrapped snacks and coffee will be provided.
Catering options of a Box Lunch will be available for order starting October 24th.
Bring your own lunch if you choose not to order the Box Lunch.
Water fountains are available for refilling water bottles.
Face masks are encouraged but not required, unless the local protocols change.
Check back here before coming to the event for the latest information.
Brian Childers
Brian Childers is an accomplished composer, conductor, and clinician. His choral, instrumental, and handbell works are performed frequently throughout the world. He is in demand as a featured clinician and conductor at music conferences, festivals and workshops across the nation. Brian serves as Music Advisor for Handbell Musicians of America, helping to promote the wealth of handbell music in the AGEHR Catalog.
Brian has earned degrees from Appalachian State University and the M. Christopher White School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University. In 2022, he conducted Distinctly Bronze West, an auditioned group of ringers from throughout the nation in New Bern, NC. In 2023, he conducted the inaugural “Ringing Nativity” a staged production of the nativity story at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. He has served churches throughout the Southeast, building vibrant programs for choirs, handbells and instrumentalists at each. He is currently on the music staff at Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC.
Brian’s compositions are published through a variety of publishers, including Bellissimo Publications, available through Jeffers Handbells and Cantate Press, available through JW Pepper. Brian enjoys creating and shaping commissioned music that is meaningful, distinctive, expressive and timely. His devotional book “Ringing Deeply” for directors, and ringers, has been received with strong reviews and is in its third printing.
Brian is married to Keely Childers, a professional counselor and has two adult children, Hannah and Spencer, both of whom served as drum majors in their respective High School and College marching bands. Brian is an avid runner and a rabid fan of the San Antonio Spurs. You can learn more about Brian, Bellissimo and Cantate Publications, “Ringing Deeply” and his conducting schedule at BrianChilders.org.
REPERTOIRE FOR ANTHORNIS 2023
Click here for access to the sound files and the REHEARSAL NOTES from the clinician.
- HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW – Brian Childers Beckenhorst HB709 3-7 octaves, Level 3+
- STOCCATO – Fred Gramann Choristers Guild CGB812 5-7 octaves, Level 4-
- THE STARS AWAIT – Ron Mallory AGEHR AG47003 4-7 octaves, Level 3+
- TOCCATA ALLEGRO – Jeffrey Hall, Julie Turner & Mallory Ferraro Jeffers JHS9450 4-6 octaves, Level 4
- EL CONDOR PASA – Francisco Abad AGEHR AG45052 4-5 octaves, Level 3
- SPIRIT SONG – Brian Childers From the Top FM20609 3-7 octaves, Level 4
Please arrive at the event with these songs well rehearsed. This enables the clinician to add creative and musical expression
All registrants and concert goers are encouraged to bring some non-perishable food items or monetary donations to help support the local food shelf.
Shepherd of the Valley partners with 360 Communities to operate an in-house food shelf.
This food shelf supports families in Dakota County, Minnesota and the immediate surrounding areas. Approximately 70 families a week are served with food support and help to find other resources they may need to become self-sustaining.
This 80-minute ringing session on Friday night is just pure fun. A great time to learn from the clinician by sight reading handbell music without the pressure of having to perform it in a concert. You can register for just this reading session. All ringing equipment is provided.
Reading sessions give you an opportunity to ring in a new position, perhaps; and to take home some new music for your choir at a discounted rate.
The repertoire list for this reading session will be posted here when available.