Mission

​The mission of Virginia Bronze is to advance the art of handbell ringing through a community-based ensemble in Northern Virginia. The specific goals of Virginia Bronze are:
  • To create and nurture a performance-oriented, community-based opportunity for advanced handbell ringers to improve their skills and explore new realms in handbell music;
  • To inspire creativity related to new handbell music;
  • To showcase a unique instrument as an outreach service;
  • To provide assistance for educating learners of all ages about the art of handbell ringing.

Virginia Bronze’s primary outreach activity is through our concert performances. We actively seek concert venues within existing concert series, retirement community centers, churches and educational institutions, and conferences sponsored by our national organization, the Handbell Musicians of America. We also offer workshops and festivals throughout the year.

​Membership in Virginia Bronze is open to all persons who are either qualified handbell ringers or persons interested in promoting the purposes of the organization. Virginia Bronze holds annual auditions and selects the 16 most qualified and committed handbell ringers for the next season. Currently members come from at least four Northern Virginia counties, the City of Alexandria and Washington, D.C. Neither the ringers nor the Executive Committee are paid for their activities. We rehearse two 1/2 hours each week and perform 5-6 concerts per season.

History

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Virginia Bronze, 2006
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Virginia Bronze, Today
Virginia Bronze began with a few ringers who wanted the challenge of ringing at a higher level. Since their first performance in October 2006, VAB has gained local and national recognition. 

As a premier handbell ensemble, just across the river from our nation’s capital, we have had the opportunity to perform with the Washington Chorus, Strathmore Children's Chorus, the Cathedral Choral Society, Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, Children's Chorus of Washington, and the Alexandria Symphony. VAB has been a part of First Night Alexandria in the past and have served as artists-in-residence at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. 

Virginia Bronze was honored to perform a lunchtime concert at the 2010 Pinnacle Conference (a Handbell Musicians of America festival) in Nashville, TN. We performed at the HMA National Seminar in July 2019 in St. Louis. 
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VAB performs on 6 and a half octaves of Schulmerich handbells (78 bells: G2-C9); 6 octaves of Malmark Choirchimes® (73 chimes: C2-C8); 2 octaves of Schulmerich Silver Melody Bells® (25 bells: C5-C7) and 3 octaves of Petit & Fritsen handbells (37 bells: C4-C7).