For your protection, we're upgrading our site to use full 256-bit SSL security. We appreciate your patience while we fix our broken links. [Report Issues]
In celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of its recording, the crisp performance of the 1977 Allegro Handbell Ensemble has been digitally remastered from the original Dolby A reels are presented here as part of the Allegro Bronze Edition series.
The works represent some of the earliest original music written for handbells, and most have never been released on campact disc.
From the Record Jacket
Handbell ringing has become increasingly popular with a
notable upswing in composition of original works and adaptations of music written for
other instruments. more music is being published for these instruments today than ever
before, and handbell choirs are enjoying ever more popularity. In spite of this, a program
of handbell music presents a unique and exciting musical experience.
The Allegro Handbell Ensemble was formed about ten years ago
and has been a strong part of the music program at Union Church since then. There are
currently fourteen members of high school age who have been ringing from one to six years.
All of them display strong interest in music and some or potential music majors. Many are
honor students. Their outside interests are as varied as they. in addition to
participating in the music program at Union Church, the group has performed for a variety
of civic, charitable, educational and professional organizations in the area, and has
toured the Eastern and Great Lakes States and the Western and Midwestern States. They plan
a European tour in June, 1978.
The preparation and choosing of music for this album has
been a labor of love for us.
The first ten tracks are all music which is suitable for the Christmas
season, so that perhaps this volume could be called our 'Christmas Album.' The selections
included represent highlights of our Christmas program, which is played many times in
December.
The remaining selections are representative of the
variety of music which is performed by the Allegro Handbell Ensemble during the rest of the year.
The bell ringers perform with five octaves of Schulmerich
bells.
Just as most piano music does not use all the notes on the
piano, so most bell music does not require the use of all 61 bells. Exceptions are the "Suite for Cello and Bells" and "The Stars and Stripes Forever," both
of which use all bells available.
'Handbell
Choir Rings With Artistic Precision' From the Colorado Springs Sun, June 1976
"A successful handbell performance demands the most uncommon
attention to counting and cadence. It is essential that very note be in its place, since
each is played by a snap of a different wrist. That means anticipating exactly where your
note falls in an irregular and changing pattern. The Allegro ringers exhibited this
precision but still retained the freshness this medium so uniquely can convey with
expressive swells and diminuendos."
"The pure, euphonious tones of English handbells can
sometimes make you believe you are listening to a harp, guitar or organ. The blend of bell
tones is extremely rich, from the robust 12-pound low 'C' to a typewriter bell
of a note five octaves up."
"The Allegro Handbell Choir's performance is a positive
statement about the artistic possibilities of this medium."
This review was published after the 1976 tour. The Colorado Springs Sun is out of print and was last issued in 1986.
About the Director
The handbell choir is directed by Dwight K.
Menard, a native of Wheeling, West Virginia. Mr. Menard received a BA from West Virginia
Wesleyan College, an MM from Northwestern University, and did extensive post-graduate work
in organ with Grigg Fountain at Northwestern University. He is presently Organist and
Director of Music at the Union Church.
Mr. Menard has received many awards, among them the Presser
Award of Philadelphia and the Performance Award from the American Guild of Musical Artists
of New York. He was selected to appear in the 1969 issue of Outstanding Young Men of
America. He has directed the handbell choirs of Union Church for six years.
Additional Information from the Allegro Bronze Edition:
Menard left Union Church in 1978 after transitioning directorship to
his successor, Michael Surratt, and moved to New Jersey, where he lost
his life to cancer in 1984. Menard was highly regarded by his vocal
and instrumental pupils, and members of the 1971-1979 Allegro Handbell
Ensembles commissioned William A. Payn of Bucknell University,
Pennsylvania, to write a handbell composition in his memory. Payn
wrote a beautiful score describing his friend in music. Originally
titled Tombeau, but published as Elegy, the recording by the 1998 Allegro Handbell Ensemble is featured as a special track on this Allegro Bronze Edition album.
Track List
Track
Title
Time
Composer, Arranger
1.
Ukranian Carol of The Bells
1:13
arr. G.S. Daun
2.
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
1:33
Polish Carol,
arr. D.K. Menard
3.
Variations on a French Carol
3:15
Donald E. Allured
4.
O Come, All Ye Faithful
1:43
arr. R. Ivey
5.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
2:18
arr. R. Ivey
6.
Fum, Fum, Fum
1:00
arr. R. Ivey
7.
Away In A Manger
2:13
arr. R. Ivey
8.
Silent Night, Holy Night
1:43
arr. R. Ivey
9.
Jingle Bells
2:48
arr. R. Ivey
10.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
1:10
arr. N. Tufts,
[ed.] D.K. Menard
11.
Carillons
4:30
Jean Langlias,
arr. G.S. Daun
(an original work
for handbells)
12.
Suite for Cello and Bells
I. Bravura
II. Capriccio
III. Finale "Commissioned in loving memory of
Dee. P. Patterson for the Allegro Handbell
Choir."
(7:12)
3:27
1:10
2:34
Donald E. Allured
15.
Dawn
2:00
Albert Ream
16.
Genesis
1:51
William A. Payn
17.
Prisms
2:14
William A. Payn
18.
Stars and Stripes Forever
3:27
John Phillip Sousa,
arr. O. Mumaw,
[ed.] D.K. Menard
19. Bronze
Edition
Bonus
Track
Elegy
(recorded by the 1998 Allegro Handbell Ensemble) "Commissioned in memory of Dwight K. Menard by members of the 1971-1979 Allegro Handbell Choirs."
5:58
William A. Payn
Recording
Credits
The Ringers: Betty Bogg, Gordon Coates, Karen Deng, Jim
Holt, Trey Holt, Ellen King, Ellen McLaughlin, Robin McLaughlin, Roberta Otto, John
Patterson, Lolly Patterson, Katie Price, Elizabeth Trask, Nancy Trask
Recorded May 28, 1977
Photography by: Bruce Chlevin Engineers: Mark Rubenstein, Cynthia Cash Rowe Recorded at: Streeterville Stuidos, Chicago, Illinois Directed and Produced by: Dwight K. Menard
"...and a special thanks to everyone involved"
This recording is copyright 1977 by the Allegro Handbell Choir and the
Union Church of Hinsdale, Illinois.
Allegro Bronze Edition Recording
Credits
Digital Remastering and Post Production: Gerald G. LeCompte
2007 Instrument Photography and Graphic Design: Daniel M. Reck, www.forzandoArts.com
This recording is copyright 1977, 1998, 2007 by the Allegro Handbell Ensemble and the
Union Church of Hinsdale, Illinois.
Customer Reviews:
There are yet no reviews for this product. Please log in to write a review.
You may also be interested in these products
ALLEGRO Union, The
$3.75
Bell Jubilee - Volume XII
$6.99
Clarion Festival Overture (Handbell Version)
$3.85
Shop forzandoArts 
The Allegro Handbell Ensemble was formed about ten years ago
and has been a strong part of the music program at Union Church since then. There are
currently fourteen members of high school age who have been ringing from one to six years.
All of them display strong interest in music and some or potential music majors. Many are
honor students. Their outside interests are as varied as they. in addition to
participating in the music program at Union Church, the group has performed for a variety
of civic, charitable, educational and professional organizations in the area, and has
toured the Eastern and Great Lakes States and the Western and Midwestern States. They plan
a European tour in June, 1978.
The handbell choir is directed by Dwight K.
Menard, a native of Wheeling, West Virginia. Mr. Menard received a BA from West Virginia
Wesleyan College, an MM from Northwestern University, and did extensive post-graduate work
in organ with Grigg Fountain at Northwestern University. He is presently Organist and
Director of Music at the Union Church.
