|
Brrrrr! Winter seems to have come early to Charleston this year. As I see my parents in Maine and my in-laws in New Jersey struggling with early snow, however, I realize that it could be a lot worse!
If you are an attendee of our 11AM service you have likely heard our Handbell Choir presenting pieces from time to time. You also may have noticed that the Handbell Choir has been using some alternative ringing techniques as of late. Here is an explanation of some of those techniques.
Shaking is accomplished by rapidly ringing the bell back and forth so that the clapper strikes both the front and back of the bell casting in quick succession. This technique creates a continuous tone, as opposed to normal ringing in which the tone decays rapidly after being rung. It has added excitement to our Easter pieces and creates a dramatic effect when several players shake simultaneously. Malleting bells involves using one of several types of rubber, plastic or yarn-wrapped mallet to strike the casting of the bell. This can create a staccato tone when the casing is pressed into foam, a normal ringing tone when the bell is suspended, or even a drumroll effect when multiple mallets are used. Our choir most recently used this technique to create the sound of a walking bass line in the arrangement of “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” which we played on October 4. Martellato creates a staccato tone and is accomplished by striking the bell into the foam-covered table in such a way that the clapper strikes the casting immediately after the bell strikes the foam, immediately cutting off the sound. Martellatos are used by the composer/arranger to place extra emphasis on a note or notes, and the effect can be quite striking, since the tone produced is the polar opposite of a standard ring. A variation, called a Mart Lift, is accomplished by lifting the bell casting off the table very soon after the clapper strikes. This creates a staccato tone followed by a softened sounding of the bell, enabling the same martellato attack followed by the standard ringing. If you are interested in ringing with us, why not stop by on a Wednesday at 5:30? We are always seeking new members, and music is colorcoded for easy reading. Hope to see you there!
For those who may be wondering what will be happening this year regarding our annual December musical event, a decision has been made. On Sunday, December 20, the St. John Chorale and the church Youth will join forces, beginning at 5PM as the Chorale presents Daniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata and other works, and continuing at 5:30 with the annual children’s Christmas Pageant, both in the church. This will be followed by a reception of heavy hors d’oeuvres in the Parish Hall. It promises to be a wonderful evening for the whole family!
Finally, I hope you’re making plans to attend our Stewardship Banquet on November 8 at 6PM. There will be a music display that will be full of pictures, concert programs, and information about everything musical at St. John’s. Stop by and say hello!
In music,
Todd
Music Quotation of the Month:
It is incontestable that music induces in us a sense of the infinite and the contemplation of the invisible.
~Victor de LaPrade
|
