Bronzefest 2010 Hosted By Embellish

Embellish is proud to have hosted Bronzefest 2010!

We had an amazing concert of seven Bronze level ensembles from Michigan and Ohio! We performed seven mass ring pieces, and each ensemble performed a solo piece. With internationally renowned composer Fred Gramann, from the American Church in Paris, as guest conductor, our music changed the molecules in Van Singel Fine Arts Center!

Please find Embellish Handbell Ensemble on Facebook, where our own Russell Cooper has posted some great photos of the event!

Scroll down to the bottom of the page for photos from professional photographer, Jason Reiffer, of the JRP Studio.

Bronzefest 2010 Concert

Sunday, February 7, 2010, 2 pm

Van Singel Fine Arts Center
8500 Burlingame SW
Byron Center, MI

Tickets are $10 at the door.

For questions about the DVD of this event, please e-mail us at bronzefest@embellishhandbells.com.

About Bronzefest 2010

Bronzefest is a tradition that was begun in 1992 by several directors of upper-level community and church ensembles as a learning and performing experience for their ringers. The term “Bronze” is derived from the practice of dividing ringers into different levels of ability for mass ringing events, with beginning and intermediate ringers participating as “Tins” and “Coppers” (which are elements comprising bronze, the alloy used to cast handbells) and “Bronze” being the top level of performance.

A number of different groups have rung in this festival over the years, including ringers from Indianapolis, Indiana; Kettering, Ohio; and Columbus, Ohio. The event was held every two years and top level directors were brought in to be clinicians for the event. The first seven festivals were held in Kettering. In 2000, the Bronzefest ensemble performed under the direction of David Davidson for the AGEHR (American Guild of English Handbell Ringers) National Director’s Seminar, which was held in Dayton. Since that year, the festival has taken place in Michigan and Ohio in alternating years.

In 2004, Embellish was invited to join the Bronzefest event held in Midland, MI. Embellish has participated in the event since that time, and is hosting the 2010 event. In addition to Embellish, participants this year will include the Carillon Choir of Midland, Michigan, directed by Alice Ralston; the Kalamazoo Ringers, directed by Jan Van Valey; the Kettering Advent Ringers of Kettering, Ohio, directed by Joan Ulloth; the Renaissance Ringers of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, directed by Kim Spontarelli; the Summit Bells of Akron, Ohio, directed by Chuck Kobb; and Classical Bells of Detroit, Michigan, directed by Darlene Ebersole.

In 2012 the event will return to Kettering for the 20th anniversary of the event. Embellish is excited to have the 2010 event close to home in the beautiful Van Singel Fine Arts Center. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear the thrilling sounds of these upper echelon groups, many of which will be bringing a broad range of instruments, including the very lowest bass bells and chimes manufactured.

About our Esteemed Guest Conductor, Fred Gramann

Fred Gramann

We are pleased to welcome Fred Gramann as our Guest Conductor for Bronzefest 2010!

Fred Gramann is a native of Washington State where he began organ studies with Dr. Edward Hansen of Seattle. He earned organ performance degrees from Syracuse University and the University of Michigan, moving to Paris in 1972 for organ study with Marie-Claire Alain and Maurice Duruflé. Since 1976, he has been Director of Music at the

American Church in Paris where he is organist and conducts the Adult Choir, the ACP Bronze Ringers, and the Celebration Ringers. Fred also organizes the weekly Sunday evening classical concert series. He has numerous choral and handbell works published in the United States and is the Honorary Associate Director of the Raleigh Ringers of North Carolina as well as co-conductor for the yearly European Handbell Festival.

Bronzefest Photos by JRP Studio

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