About the workshop

This four day intensive workshop is designed to expand your handbell performance technique and musicianship. Each day is filled with rehearsals emphasizing hands-on learning through ringing some of today's best handbell music (Level 2+ to Level 4). Advanced instruction and a fun fast-paced group atmosphere make this a very enjoyable experience for both ringers and directors interested in improving their handbell performance. The week concludes with a public concert on Thursday evening featuring the handbell selections from the workshop.

David Weck has been the clinician for Handbell Week for many years and we are pleased to announce that he will return again this year to lead the workshop. David is founder and director of The Agape Ringers. On a daily basis, he is an editor with Hope Publishing Company of Carol Stream, Illinois, where he is responsible for the handbell catalog consisting of more than 700 titles. David is in demand as clinician and director of numerous local and national handbell events including the 2004 International Handbell Symposium in Toronto and the 2008 International Symposium in Orlando, Florida. In 2005, he served as Guest Conductor for the Summer Workshop of The Handbell Ringers of Japan. For 30 years, David has been involved in choral music through music education, church music and as assistant director of the Chicago Community Renewal Chorus. Currently, he serves as adjunct faculty member of Vander Cook College of Music Continuing Education, and also serves on the national board of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. In 2004 he was awarded the Area VIII Outstanding Service Award. David and his wife, Jane Holstein, reside in Wheaton, Illinois, where they enjoy spending their spare time with grandchildren, Becky and Jack.

Special Concert: The Agape Ringers, directed by David Weck, will present a concert at Good Shepherd's Central Campus, 5701 Raymond Road, Madison, on Monday, June 23. The group will play a selection for Good Shepherd's Summer Worship (6:30pm) followed by the concert at 7:30pm. A free-will offering is appreciated.

Handbell Week was founded and presented for many years by Robert and Joyce Morrison. The workshop was held at various sites throughout Wisconsin and most recently in McFarland, Wisconsin. Last year when Bob and Joyce retired from the workshop, Mark Bloedow became the new owner and administrator of the annual workshop.

Mark Bloedow is the Director of Worship and Music at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Madison, Wisconsin, and President and Executive Director of Maestro Productions, Inc., the non-profit ecumenical arts organization he founded in 1989. He is also serving this Spring as Guest Director of Madison Area Concert Handbells.

Registering for Handbell Week--please click here to download the PDF Registration Form

The workshop fee is $295 inclusive of workshop registration, session music, and lunch.

The registration form for Handbell Week 2008 is available by clicking here. Please print out the registration form and mail with payment payable to: Midwest Music, Attn: Mark Bloedow, 2358 Quartz Lane, Madison, WI, 53719. Payment is required in advance of the workshop.

Workshop check-in begins at 8am on Monday, June 23, at the workshop site: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church-West Campus, Verona, Wisconsin. The workshop runs daily from 9am to 4pm.

Parking is free and easily accessible in the church parking lot. The parking lot and facility are handicap accessible-please advise us in advance with any special considerations.

Each workshop participant is required to have the music packet containing all workshop music. Photocopies of the music will not be allowed.

Things to know

There will be periodic breaks during the sessions. A morning refreshment break will be provided. Participants are invited to bring their own snack items and bottled water for other break times during the daily schedule.

Ringers should plan to bring their own pair(s) of washed gloves (white required for the concert) and a 3-ring music stand binder if possible. Ringers should plan to wear comfortable shoes and bring a carpet square to stand on if desired.

Concert dress is black skirts/slacks/pants and white blouse/shirt.

A block of rooms is reserved at a discount for workshop participants at:

QUALITY INN & SUITES
2969 CAHILL MAIN
MADISON, WI 53711 USA
Phone: 6082747200
Fax: 6082747720
Email: gm.wi089@qualitysuitesmadison.com
Web site: www.qualitysuitesmadison.com

To receive the group discount, please reference the account: Mark Bloedow, group #105164.

For more help

Please contact Mark Bloedow at (608) 845-3952 or mbloedow@maestromeb.com.