IN Ross Township Winter 2018 | Page 17

RING PITTSBURGH, SOUTHWESTERN PA’S COMMUNITY HANDBELL CHOIR, BRINGS A UNIQUE ART FORM TO AREA COMMUNITIES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. will enable them to successfully execute the level of music and musicianship we strive to achieve. We do not attempt the most difficult music available in the handbell world, but we strive for a very high level of musicality to entertain and 2017 Ring Pittsburgh Ensemble educate our Kneeling (L to R): Jill Campbell, Mary Anne Kilburg, Carol Soohy, Regina Kettering, Susan Helfrich, Lisa Swift audiences.” Standing (L to R): Yumi Fisher, Jim Rossetti, Debbie Belschner, Mary Rita Ring Pittsburgh Rossetti, Caleb Onstead, Cindy Potter, Kathy Ennis, Debbie Fabio, Lindsay Ries is currently ringing Not pictured: New ringers for 2018-2019: Susan Michel, Donis Petnuch with 10 members from all over Ring Pittsburgh is led by officers and Pittsburgh’s suburbs and communities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. including various areas of the North Hills, While Rossetti is the music and artistic Economy Borough, Cranberry, West director, most operational decisions and View, Richland Township and more. are made by the Board of Directors and The bell choir rehearses on Tuesday Officers and carried out by the members. evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Paul’s. The All members serve on at least one group’s season begins in September and committee, handling things like publicity, runs through the first week or so of June funds, equipment, transportation each year. for concerts, music library, concert “Handbell ringing is a unique musical scheduling, social media management art form in that the absence of just one and more. member drastically affects the musical While there is no age requirement, outcome,” notes Rossetti. “In other to be a member of Ring Pittsburgh one musical ensembles, most people are must have some handbell experience as a member of a section—remove one a ringer. Open auditions take place every person and the section and ensemble can other August, and the most recent ones still successfully perform. That’s not the were this past August. Candidates receive case in handbells. Everyone in the group a copy of the group’s handbook and one is responsible for two notes: one for each musical selection to prepare at three bell hand. If one person is missing then their positions of their choosing. Auditions are notes simply don’t get played. There is done in a group setting with the entire usually not time to play a missing person’s group to keep the audition as informal notes while maintaining musical integrity. as possible. All candidates will then have When this is explained to an audience, a discussion with the board officers to some will hopefully take this concept to answer any questions and understand heart, realizing that everyone is important expectations. to the function of a community.” “In addition to regular auditions, we As a musical ensemble, Ring Pittsburgh are currently open to any new individuals provides opportunities for unique and who would like to ring with us,” says affordable entertainment. In addition to Rossetti. “A more lengthy ‘audition holding its own concerts, the group has process’ of several rehearsals will give provided entertainment for several area new folks a chance to ring with us to nursing homes and retirement centers; learn if their ringing style and experience at Heinz Chapel; the St. James Concert series in Sewickley; and has collaborated with the Beaver Valley Choral Society for a concert. Ring Pittsburgh’s performances at the Benedum Center and Heinz Hall have introduced the world of handbells to the most sophisticated musical audiences in western Pennsylvania. “Because the vast majority of handbell groups are closely affiliated with a church and play almost exclusively for worship services, their repertoire is restricted to sacred music,” says Rossetti. “As a community handbell group, we are able to perform both secular and sacred musical arrangements in a relaxed atmosphere. Our Mission Statement requires us to musically inspire, educate and entertain our audiences through the art of handbell ringing. In so doing we must challenge ourselves to reach a higher standard of musical excellence and accomplishment.” For more information about Ring Pittsburgh or to schedule a concert, visit ringpittsburgh.org. The group can also be contacted via email at [email protected]. Information about becoming a member of Ring Pittsburgh is also available on the website.   n RING PITTSBURGH’S UPCOMING CONCERTS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON Sunday, Nov. 25, 3 p.m. Heinz Chapel Friday, Nov. 30, 7 p.m. St. John’s Lutheran Church on Cumberland Rd., McCandless Friday, Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m. Frick Art Museum ROSS TOWNSHIP ❘ WINTER 2018 15