Advancing the Art of Handbells in Northern Virginia

Virginia Bronze Spring 2012 Concerts

“At the Ballet”

Sunday, March 25, 2012

4:00 p.m., George Washington Masonic Memorial, Alexandria, VA
Ballet music can be serious, lighthearted, magical and entertaining. This program will explore the wide variety of ballet music from the 20th century by composers including Gershwin, Stravinsky, Shostakovich, and Glass.

Tickets may be purchased online or at the door.

“I’ve Got Rhythm…I’ve Got Music”

Sunday, June 3, 2012
4:00 p.m., George Washington Masonic Memorial, Alexandria, VA
Handbells are actually a percussive instrument, so why not team up with some other family members and have some rollicking fun! It’s all about the rhythm…

Final concert of the 2010/2011 season: “An American Journey”

Thank you to all who attended our final concert of the 2010/2011 season, “An American Journey,” on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at the
George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, VA.

Review by Rev. C. Milton Rodgers, III, Minister of Music and Organist Grace United Methodist Church: Drums, cymbals, interesting historical narration, clarinet, and, by the way, handbells, were all a part of the exciting “An American Journey” concert held by the Virginia Bronze Handbell Ensemble at the George Washington Masonic Memorial Auditorium on Sunday June 5. This was an American Music History tour told excitingly on the handbells.

Each piece had been thoroughly researched and many were even transcribed by the director of the group, Carol Feather Martin. The Virginia Bronze played each piece masterfully. It was a treat for the listeners to hear Scott Joplin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and John Philip Sousa all played on the same medium, handbells, and yet played with so many texture differences. In some pieces, drums were played. In one piece a clarinet was played. The surprise of the whole concert was the addition of the piccolo to John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” The audience left the concert better informed about American musical history. They also had the thrill of hearing these classics of American Music History played by a masterful handbell choir.

Photos from March 20, 2011 Concert

Photos from the March 20, 2011 concert “Alphabet Soup” at the George Washington Masonic Memorial Temple in Alexandria, VA.

Virginia Bronze ringers performing March. Credit: Wayne Stocks

Interested in joining Virginia Bronze?

Regular auditions for the 2011-2012 season were held on June 7-8, 2011. For more information about auditioning, please contact Director Carol Feather Martin. Any person considering membership must be available for rehearsal on Tuesday evenings throughout the year.

Advanced knowledge of bell ringing and musicianship with an emphasis on rhythmic understanding is required. Auditions consist of on-site perusal and preparation of music and rhythm drills and sight-reading pieces at various positions.

Contrasts CD

Our first recording, Contrasts, features wide-ranging repertoire, from classical to jazz, Japanese melodies, and arrangements exclusively available to Virginia Bronze.

“Carol Feather Martin and Virginia Bronze have already taken their place along side groups like Embellish and The Agape Ringers, to name a few. This thirteen track work is filled with energy expression, a bit of percussion and violin. Each piece seamlessly fit one after another and covered a wide range of musical style and emotion.” – Robert Stocks

Order online.