SPRING/SUMMER 2013 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 2

Friend to Friend

Let’s Dance 2

Guilty Pleasure 2

Spring Dance 3

Friends of CBFW 4

Be a Friend 5

Spring Dance, cont. 7

Music Makers 7

2013 Wish List 6

Inside this issue:

Conductor and Artistic Director, Stephanie Rhoades, Dallas

Ringers

Pam Adams, Grand Prairie

Kari Daelke*, Mesquite

Elizabeth Garvin, Lewisville

Shari Gibson, Fort Worth

Jean Harden*, Denton

Quinda Hatfield, Forney

Cathy Herring, Richardson

Alys Lindholm, Dallas ______________ *Executive Committee Member

Carol Lynn Mizell, Denton

Valerie Martin*, Grapevine

Kathleen Parsons, Richardson

Brenda Swindle, Richardson

Lynn Tedford, N. Richland Hills

Alice Thompson, N. Richland Hills

Karen Thompson*, N. Richland Hills

© Concert Bells of Fort Worth

Editor: Brenda Swindle

Dedicated to musical excellence through artistic handbell performance

PAGE 2 FRIEND TO FRIEND

Let’s Dance!

I have wanted to do a dance themed program for some time and this spring seemed like the time to put it together. As I started reviewing titles, it was clear to me that there is no shortage of possibilities! In addition to the transcriptions and arrangements of some familiar dance pieces, there are several original handbell pieces that fit the category. I actually played a couple of them when I rang in the Dallas Handbell Ensemble with director David Davidson—Hava Nageela and Sabre Dance—but the rest of the pieces on our program were published years after DHE dissolved.

Stephanie Rhoades,

Conductor &

Artistic Director

“THE RINGERS

LOVE PLAYING

THESE PIECES

AND IT SHOWS.

YOUR FRIENDS

(OF ALL AGES)

WILL ENJOY…”

Guilty Pleasure—Dance Movies!

few years later, my future husband, Rick, and I enjoyed Flashdance on date night. One of my all-time favorites is Dirty Dancing featuring the very wonderful Patrick Swayze. And there was this Australian film called Strictly Ballroom that I loved watching so much that Rick bought it for me. A few years ago, my daughters and I enjoyed Step Up. What’s your favorite dance movie?

I vaguely recall taking Ballet and Tap Dance as a child, but it wasn’t my thing. But I have a guilty pleasure: I love dance movies! And the cheesier the production and more trite the plot, the better – as long as there are great dance scenes. The first dance movie I recall enjoying was Saturday Night Fever with John Travolta. The sequel wasn’t as great, but gotta love John Travolta! A

Karen Thompson,

President

I tried to take pieces from different

genres (jazz, pop, rock, classical), mix

in some original pieces for handbells,

and include a silly song that kids

might dance to, and voilà! Our

program was born. And it is not

strictly limited to bells—we will have

flute, percussion, string bass, and

synthesizer.

This is a great program for those who have only been exposed to bells in church, as they have probably not seen bells played like this! The ringers love playing these pieces and it shows. Your friends (of all ages) will enjoy this performance too so spread the word!

As for me and dance as a child, I took ballet (and pointe) and tap dance in elementary and middle school. I enjoyed it all and found it especially useful when auditioning for parts in the high school musicals, and again years later when I had to choreograph pieces for children’s musicals!

One of my favorites on this program is Sabre Dance, because I remember how much fun I had learning and performing it when I rang in the Dallas Handbell Ensemble with David Davidson. You never knew how fast he would take it on any given day!

PAGE 3 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 2

Spring Dance

I never took dance as a child other

than the occasional PE dance

activities, but I always enjoyed the

school dances in junior high and high

school. For me, it was about being part

of social tradition. It was a great place

to have fun, dress up, flirt with the

boys, and gossip with the girls. I

played in the band, and often, band

classmates formed rock groups that

would play at many of the school

dance events. It was then that I learned

the thrill of being a “groupie.”

When I was in high school, my parents

took square dancing lessons. They had

so much fun, I decided to take lessons

as well so that we could participate as a

family. We went to many festivals and

monthly dances for many years to

follow. One year, I got to attend a

national square dance convention. I

had always heard that the square

dancing calls were an international

language, but it was not until a

Japanese gentleman asked me to dance

did I realize what that really meant.

Without a word of English spoken

between us, we danced to the caller's

choreographed moves with

ease. Again, the dances were a place to

have fun, dress up (and I mean

REALLY dress up), flirt, and gossip.

Valerie Martin,

Secretary

I took tap and ballet when I was about 6 years old. I guess my favorite of the two was tap. Why, you might ask? Because I could make the neatest sounds as I walked or danced my way across the room. I loved those tap shoes. For my dance recital I had the snazziest costume. It was a bright red satin full skirt (above the knees) with a satin bright blue top. Decorating the top was gold braid like you would see on a band uniform. I had a beautiful red and blue satin tall hat with a brim to complete the outfit. Even after the recital I wore it often when I liked to play dress-up. I was so disappointed the day I found out it no longer fit.

Later on in about sixth grade I took ballroom dancing which I enjoyed very much; however, since

I was one of the tallest girls and there was a shortage of boys, I had to take the lead, dancing as the boys do. This made it very difficult later on when I actually got to dance with a boy. I think there was always a power struggle going on. Nowadays my dancing is confined to Mondays nights watching Dancing with the Stars.

Now as for my favorite piece among the ones we are playing for our concert, it would have to be Sabre Dance. When I was in grade school, I performed Sabre Dance on the piano for a talent show. I loved that piece! It is showy, fast, and challenging. The handbell version is challenging also in that I don’t get to play all the notes—just a few here and there and they have to be at the right time.

Quinda

Hatfield

I have a couple of pieces that I really like in our Spring Dance lineup. My favorite is probably Unsquare Dance because I have always been a huge Dave Brubeck fan and this is a great example of his unique style. My other favorite is Jazz Waltz. This piece is entertaining and interesting for both audience and performer. Having said that, I am excited to be playing a Lady Gaga piece - I can’t imagine playing many of her pieces on handbells.

Cathy Herring

I have never officially been in dance but my husband and I love dancing. Also, my floor routines in gymnastics included dance steps. The fast paced dance pieces are fun to play, but my favorite is Jazz Waltz on Praise to the Lord. I’ve always enjoyed playing bell music arranged by Cathy Moklebust!

Shari Gibson

PAGE 4 FRIEND TO FRIEND

Friends of Concert Bells of Fort Worth (as of April 30, 2013)

If you are a Friend and your name has been omitted or your listing is

inaccurate, please let us know so we can correct our records.

Director’s Circle Jean Harden

George P. & Nesha J. Morey

OnLine Insurance Services

President’s Circle Dan & Elizabeth Garvin

Rick & Karen Thompson

Mary E. & David T. Bell

Kari Daelke

Kevin & Kelli Daelke

Bill & Pat Gordon

Zella Gordon

Bettie W. Harden

Lynette Hendricks

Bob & Carol Lynn Mizell

Patricia M. Morey

Stephanie Rhoades

Richard Sperry

Lynn Tedford

Grand Circle

Edwin & Jane Darling

Joan & Charles Duke

Jan & John Fisher

Nancy Gillis

Michael & Patricia Harris

Bill & Cathy Herring

George and Margaret Kloepfer

Scot Latta

Kate & Hank Lattimore

Carol & David Rowley

Gayle & Virgil Strange

Linda Strem

Brenda Swindle

James & Barbara Thompson

Ann Treleven

Premiere Circle

Contributor’s Circle Phyllis & Chuck Beck

Jo Blount

Corbin Bullock

Kay Champagne

Theodore & Janet Daelke

Charles Delphenis

Charlotte Dorsey

Mark & Elizabeth Elliott

Carol Haynes

Stephani & Jon Lee

Alys Lindholm

Dorothy Parks

Michael & Kathryne Ross

Anthony & Dyan Scudieri

Judy Townley

Charlene Watson

Patricia Williams

Jan Wilson

Maurine Wilson

PAGE 5 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 2

Benefits of Being a Friend to CBFW

♦ Direct mailing of newsletter

♦ Your name listed in CBFW programs and newsletter

♦ Advance notice of public concerts

Friends of Concert Bells of Fort Worth Membership/Contribution Form

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(As it should appear in our programs and newsletters)

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ANNUAL AMOUNT Friend Level MONTHLY AMOUNT

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*A 501(c)3 Corporation—All donations to Concert Bells of Fort Worth are tax deductible*

Please give this form

and your check

to any CBFW ringer or mail to:

Concert Bells of Fort Worth

c/o Jean Harden

1717 Broadway

Denton, Texas 76201

PAGE 6 FRIEND TO FRIEND

Wishes Fulfilled

Over the last year or so, we have added some equipment to our inventory.

Lights: After playing a concert in the dark, when the power went out at the last minute, we decided that we should own battery-powered lights. Now we own them and we used them last December.

Bells: In our last newsletter, we asked for help in obtaining the upper 6th octave of bells. We bought these in time to use them last Christmas.

Cases: You won’t hear these, but you may hear us complaining less about how heavy the bells are! Just before the December concert series, we purchased Port-a-Bell cases for five octaves of bells. These have wheels and protect the bells – and our backs – far better than the old cases did. They are also something we can share with Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, whose 5-octave set of bells we borrow. We still use the old-style cases for the teeny bells (the upper 6th octave mentioned above) and any bass bells below C3 that we borrow.

Our Wish List

Our list of top-priority wishes is down to two items: a bell-tree stand, and some more bass chimes. We have borrowed a bell-tree stand before; the lower 7th-octave chimes would make a new sound available to us, though.

Always wishing for more!

“CAN YOU HELP

US OBTAIN ANY

OF THIS

EQUIPMENT?

DONATIONS TO

THE WISH LIST

FUND WOULD BE

GREATLY

APPRECIATED!”

Jean Harden,

Treasurer

These are our current greatest desires, with prices:

Bell tree stand $299 Shipping: $16 TOTAL: $315 Lower 7th octave chimes Priced individually:

7 chimes (C2 to F#2): $760 each 3 cases: $230 each Rack for lower 7th octave chimes: $500 Case for chime rack: $235 2 lambswool mallets: $76 each Shipping: $366 TOTAL: $7,263 Package price: $6,260

Shipping: $366 TOTAL: $6,626

Chimes cannot be labeled individually, but an engraved plate for the set would cost $35.

In all cases, shipping charges are approximate, and equipment prices are current but can be expected to rise over time.

Can you help us obtain any of this equipment? Donations to the Wish List Fund would be greatly appreciated!

Dancing in the Deep South Jean Harden

In the 1950s in Atlanta, Georgia, where I grew up, it was fairly normal for little girls to take ballet lessons until 5th grade, at which point everyone, boys and girls, took ballroom dancing for a year or two. I had three years of ballet (and tap, and acrobatics, and baton twirling!), followed by two years of ballroom dancing.

My biggest memory of ballet was being fascinated by the piano and the pianist who accompanied our lessons. I am sure my teacher was less than enthralled to have a student who would stop and listen to the piano instead of dancing!

Ballroom dancing was done to recordings, but we were taught chiefly the dances of the 40s or earlier. I particularly liked the cha-cha, which was right on the verge of scandalous at that time. Around then, though, Elvis Presley was just becoming well known. His music wasn’t played for us in class – I’m sure the teacher would have had the vapors at the mere thought! – but, I heard it nevertheless, probably through the agency of my older brother. I secretly kind of liked this new rock ‘n’ roll. Not for all the candy in the world, however, would I have said as much to any adult. It seems almost surrealistic to be playing Rock Around the Clock on bells this spring.

PAGE 7 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 2

Kari Daelke,

Vice President

I took tap dance classes in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade at the bright pink house in Appleton, Wisconsin - Marcia’s School of Dance. Miss Julie was my teacher. I am sure I was not the best student. That plywood practice board at home did not see as much use as it should have! Even so, I can still do a passable shuffle-ball-change and shuffle-off-to-buffalo! The shows at the end of the year were awesome - fancy costumes, lipstick and great closing numbers like Bill Bailey!

Our family’s other dance passion was square dancing. My uncle Lloyd was a well-known caller and my parents danced regularly. When we moved to New Jersey, my brother Kevin and I joined the local 4-H square dance club. We had a really good time and even won a 1st place ribbon at the Flemington Fair!

Spring Dance, cont.

Lynn Tedford

No dance lessons as a child. I've always wanted to take dance lessons, so a few years ago I decided to take the time to learn a dance step or two. Took several classes of Western Swing, Two Step, Waltz and even a little Salsa...who needs Zumba when you’re twirling around on the dance floor? The sad truth is I’ll never win Dancing with the Stars but it sure is food for the soul!

My favorite pieces for our Spring Dance are the ones that make people smile, Rock Around the Clock, Unsquare Dance and Chicken Dance. Who can frown when you hear these happy hits played on handbells?

Alice Thompson

I was in gymnastics and my coaches thought that enrolling me in

tap and ballet would improve my floor routines. I loved

performing the dance routines for my friends and family. My

favorite tap routine was M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E! In it I wore

a sparkly belt and Minnie Mouse ears. I felt like a little diva

when I performed. Lady Gaga’s Just Dance is my favorite piece

since I get to dance to it on the radio and in rehearsal.

Music Makers

We have several Music Makers in our group. What is a

Music Maker, you ask? They are anyone who gives a

designated gift or wants to designate an item in honor or

memory of a someone. We can arrange for a special plate

or label on some items. Recent additions/purchases of

CBFW are the lower 6th octave chimes and the upper 6th

octave handbells (C#8, D8, D#8, E8, F8, F#8, G8).

Handbells from C#8 to G8 begin at $246.

Are you a music maker? Would you like to dedicate a

handbell in memory or honor of someone? Contact any

member of CBFW and they will be happy to steer you in

the right direction so that you can become a Music Maker

today!

Current Music Makers are:

Dale & Valerie Martin Their gift: Lower 6th octave chimes

Rick Thompson Family (Rick, Karen, Alice & Helen) Their gift: D8 handbell

dedicated in memory of Cora Latta

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