Kath Wissinger - Bringing Music to Life - and Life to Music

Welcome to my Website! I am passionate about handbells: the group dynamic, the challenge of composing within the medium and the joy of directing ringers, encouraging cooperation and inspiring musicianship through handbells.

Please contact me directly for information on leading events and commissioning music - or with questions on any of my pieces. Longwalk3@aol.com

Below, you will find information on my background, events, commissions, pedagogical pieces and new releases - In the links at the left, you may see listings of published compositions (listed alphabetically and by Level) as well as information on events and classes.

"Evaluations are tabulated, and on a scale of 1-5, some ringers wrote in a "6" for our clinician!!

Kath, you were a delight in personality, style, teaching and learning, easy to follow, clear conducting, and more."

M.A. Bellingham, co-coordinator - Big Sky Festival, Livingston, Montana, April 2010

- ASCAP Plus Award Recipient 2011: ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) offers a special stipend to artists whose main performance venues are not in mainline broadcast media. The artist documents the year's performance venues and published releases for the previous year, and a panel reviews all applications - and awards those deemed significant.

- Just Released: - sound clips available at Publishers' sites, Handbellworld.com and others.
Three Accident(al)-Prone Mice 2-3 oct. L2(easy!)
This fun arrangement of "Three Blind Mice" satisfies the request of every ringer to "ring the black notes." After a full introduction of the theme using full chords and "question and answer" methods, ringers have 2 measures to switch to their accidentals and continue to ring the theme again. Some rhythmic interest and simple syncopation also make this piece interesting. (Composers Music)

How Deep the Father's Love for Us 3-6 oct. (opt. 3 oct. chimes) L3
Written by the author of "In Christ Alone," Stuart Townend's emotionally searing hymn will touch hearts in this artfully crafted arrangement. Scored in keys which invite a solo vocalist to sing the lyrics, if you wish. Ideal for worship, concert or festival, where it will bring down the house! (SoundForth 279166)

Simple Gifts 3-6 oct. L3+
This catchy, traditional Quaker tune is livened up even more with a Rumba beat! Use it to add some spark to a workship service, kick up a concert a notch, or challenge more advanced ringers at a Festival. A true audience pleaser! Fun and very rhythmic. Add some drumming and shakers if you wish. (SoundForth 279133)

Jubilare 3 oct. L2- (Opt. 3 oct. chimes)
A rondo with a catchy theme. All eighth notes are carefully assigned within positions, so while it sounds complex, the actual ringing is very easy to master. A good piece to follow Accolade. (Composer's Music 7046)

A Classical Christmas 3-5 oct. L4 (opt. 2-4 oct. chimes, and sleighbells)
A medley of Christmas "Classics" in the real sense: Vivaldi's "Gloria," "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," and Mozart's "Sleighride" trio. The Sugar Plum Fairy (complete in itself) is very true to the original orchestral arrangement with just a few concessions to "ringing ease." Sure to be a favorite highlight in a Holiday concert. (Lorenz 201582L)

Carol of the Bells 2-3 oct. (L2+) and 3-5 oct. (L3)
A bold rendition of this iconic Holiday tune, this piece is scored in 2 compatible formats, excellent for festival, school and church use. The familiar 8th note runs are placed specifically on the scale for easy ringing, even with a few interesting key changes. L2 if no techniques are used. (Hope 2563 2-3 oct and Hope 2571 3-5 oct.)

- Upcoming events:

- Area 3 Bravissimo (Herndon, VA) June 8-9, 2012. Leading a reading session of advanced music. All Reese, Program Chair.

- National Seminar, Handbell Musicians of America (Cincinnati, Ohio) July 2012 - Teaching Classes: Mixed Meter Mastery, Syncopation Anxiety and Organizing Your Ringing Year. KC Congdon, Program Chair.

- Handbell Discovery, ALGEHR (Calgary, Alberta, CA) Oct. 13, 2012. Massed Director. Emmy Bortolin, Coordinator.

- 2013 Handbell Festival (Tom's River, NJ) March 3, 2013. Josh Melson, Coordinator.

- Greater Puget Sound Handbell Festival (Seattle/Auburn, WA) - May 18, 2013. Massed director. Jennifer Vangolen, coordinator.



- Most recent events:
- Auburn Spring Bell Festival (Auburn, AL) April 27-28, 2012. Massed Director. Karen Hickok, coordinator.

- Shenandoah Valley School Handbell Festival (Harrisonburg, Va.) April 25, 2012. Massed director. Kimly Schlabach, host.

- Ringing Workshop - Covenant Presbyterian Church, Staunton, Va. April 11, 2012. Lou Dolive, CPC director.

- L.A. Metro Region Spring Ring (Los Angeles, CA) March 24, 2012. Tins/Coppers, Massed Director. Pearl Marshall, coordinator.

- Georgia Spring Ring (Atlanta, GA) March 16-17, 2012. Massed director. Pat Cates, coordinator.

- North Carolina Baptist Adult Handbell Festival - East (Wilmington, NC) Feb. 24-25, 2012, Massed director. Jim Davidson, coordinator.

I have heard nothing but glowing comments from our directors .....

expressing their appreciation for you taking their choirs to “the next level.”

Jim Davidson, Event Coordinator, NC Baptist Handbell Festval - East, 2012

- Arts and Mission Week at Asbury UMC (Harrisonburg, VA)
Leader of all Chime/Orff/Drum classes. Laura Douglass, Coordinator August 15-19, 2011.

- Mosaic Summer Ringing Workshop #2 (Harrisonburg, VA)
Director - Bells 201 (more than just ringing - techniques overview and musical ringing style), 4iH Intro, Reading Session L2/3+. Sponsored by Mosaic Handbell Ensemble. July 21, 2011.



- Ringing Link 2011 (Handbell Guilds of Canada) in Calgary, Alberta
Directed the Roundup Festival Choir (an advanced ringing track) which practiced "Bronze Jubilee" and performed it in the closing Festival concert. Also taught Handbells in Education - Pedagogical methods applied from Level Zero to Level 2. Emmy Bortolin, Coordinator July 6-9, 2011.

- Mosaic Summer Ringing Workshop #1 - (Harrisonburg, VA)
Director - Bell Basics 101, Weaving, Reading L1/2. June 16, 2011.

- Emerald City Ringers (Seattle, WA) - Coaching/directing workshop. Brian Tervo, ECR Director. March 27, 2011.

- Bells of the Sound (Seattle, WA) - Rehearsal Critique session. Shirley Lindberg, BotS Director. March 27, 2011

- Pacific Northwest Youth Handbell Festival, (Seattle)Massed/Tins/Coppers director, Alice Lewis, coordinator. Sammamish, Washington. March 25-26, 2011.

- Bay Area School Handbell Festival, (San Francisco, CA) Massed/Tins/Coppers Director. Dian Ruder, coordinator. March 24, 2011.

- Handbell Basics Workshop - an introduction to handbell ringing for piano teachers/professors/performance students from Harrisonburg (VA) Music Teachers' Association, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011 from 10 am til noon.

- Intense College Ringer Workshop for Asbury UMC College Ringers, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2010. Laura Douglass, Coordinator. Harrisonburg, Va.

- AdventuRing, outreach ringing group at church made up of 4th-7th graders and a few moms -
Spring 2012: May 6 - Play for Chapel Service at Sunnyside

Winter 2011 outreach:

• Dec. 4 - Ring for Homebound members and Sunnyside Ret. Comm. dining halls
• Dec. 10 - Ring for RMH Hospice Memorial Service

2009-2010 0ur charter year - We started with Campana Sonos - learning thumb damps, echoes, marts, shakes, ties, melodic lines and more in the process. Congrats, AdventuRingers!! Then worked onTechnicalities and Hymn to Joy.

• Dec. 2010 - played for homebound members and at Sunnyside dining halls.
• April 9 - ringing on the road for Massanutten Cares Day.
• May 1 - ringing for homebound MPC Members

- Redeemer Classical School

I teach handbell classes once day per week to 5th graders and 6th-8th graders. We perform at least twice per semester. New pieces: 5th grade: Playground Suite, Hyfrydol and 6th-8th: I'm Just a Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Promise, Gaudio Exsultans, Echoes of the Past.

Spring 2012:

• March 1 - 5th grade ringers will perform for Massanutten Preschool 10:30 a.m.
• March 8 - 5th grader ringers perform for People's Baptist Church Preschool 10:00 a.m.
• April 25 - 6th-8th grade ringers - Shenandoah Valley School Handbell Festival
• Spring RCS concert - May 10
• May 25 - 5th graders play bells and present The Tempest at VMRC

Winter 2011:

• Dec. 4 - 6th-8th graders ring at the Salvation Army Kettle at Krogers 12-1
• Dec. 5 - 5th graders ring and present their play at Emeritus Retirement Home 10 am
• Dec. 15 - all groups perform in RCS Christmas Program, People's Baptist Church, Hbg.

2009-2010 year: RCS middle high ringers sang and rang in the Harrisonburg (Va.) Christmas Parade Dec. 3. Ringing chimes and singing Jingle Bells and O Come, All Ye Faithful in Latin and English prepared them for their holiday concerts:

• Dec. 15th - RCS Christmas Program, 6:30 pm - all groups perform prepared pieces
• Dec. 16th - 4th grade Ringers play 2 concerts for Massanutten (PC) PreSchool in the am
• Dec. 16th - 5th-8th Ringers form a Bucket Brigade and play Christmas Carols at various Salvation Army Buckets in the afternoon
• Feb. 10, 2011 10:00 a.m. (rescheduled again due to snow!) - 5th-8th Ringers present a concert at Emeritus Retirement Community
• March 9 - RCS 5th-8th Ringers play for Chapel service at Spring Creek Christian School
• April - 5th-8th grade ringers participated in the all-day Harrisonburg (VA) City Schools' School Handbell Festival at Skyline Middle School
• May 5 - RCS School Program - all ringers perform, Bridgewater College, Cole Hall
• May 19 - RCS 4th graders present chime music at Sunnyside Retirement Community, Meredith Chapel. 10:00 a.m.

- Area 3's discoveRing Youth Festival in Richmond, Va. Nov. 19-20, 2010 was a great success! I directed almost 300 ringers (mostly teens) playing cool music - including "Horsing Around" (Wissinger), "Children, Go Where I Send Thee" (Morris) and "On This Day Earth Shall Ring" (Moklebust.) About 10 high school kids got to try their hands at massed directing. Our goal is to make handbells a "life-long" passion for them. Coming soon, a YouTube synopsis of the Festival courtesy of Jim Simms. Here is a short preliminary video of 2 pieces - Horsing Around and On This Day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_DpN7qW0FA



- "Split-Level" pieces - An innovative series of music is underway!! Written to help ease new ringers into established choirs (or to help with incorporating new students into a mixed-grade ringing class), these pieces offer many variations to custom-fit a piece for your group. Experienced ringers are challenged, while beginning ringers can learn the basics and be confident in their parts, contributing to the "bigger" piece.

Current needs being addressed:

Per Fiddler (Scandinavian folk song) - 9-11 ringer 3 octave piece targeted for 5 beginners on G4-B5 L1 ringing, 2 ringers on C4-F4 and 2, 3 or 4 ringers on C6-C7 L1+/L2. (GA4 is slightly more complex.) Target beginning positions have optionals chordal marts and echoes. (C6-C7 may be 4iH by 2 ringers.)

Long Ages Past - An exciting 9-11 ringer 3 octave piece for 4-6 experienced ringers and 5 new ringers assigned to G4-B5 playing only chords with some optional marts. Melodic lines are played by "outside position ringers" even allowing for 2 positions of 4iH practice (at two difficulty levels) from C6-C7. The 5 new ringers' parts may be L1-, L1 or L1+.

"CDEF" - CD4 and EF4 play the entire melodic line with eighth notes (opt. for CD6 and GA6 as well) all others play chordal accompaniment: 2.5 or 3 octaves. A 2 octave setting applies the same possibilities with G4-C5 on melody and D5-G6 (or D5-C7) on chords.

Relevance - Experienced ringers from C4 to E5. All bells from F5 and up ring an easy L1.

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly - C4-F4 play melody, counter melody and rhythmic accompaniment; C6-C7 play melody and arpeggios (4iH possibility); and middle 5 positions (G4-B5) play easy accompaniment patterns.

Echos of Hope - Bass ringers echo and mart half and quarter notes, ringers F5 and up ring the melody. A mesmerizing piece in its own right.

Silent Night - treble ringers play melody in rhythmic chords, bass ringers may play whole, half or quarter note chords or responsive rhythmic chords as well.



- "MOSAIC" Handbell Ensemble
This group founded in Fall 2010 strives for interpretive musical presentations and a well-crafted, varied repertoire, as well as outreach events through concerts and workshops. Rehearsals are 3:00-5:00 every Thursday at Redeemer Classical School. Smaller ensembles from within the group, collectively known as "Ensembell," rehearse on their own. New ringer-members are welcome to apply.

Spring 2012: Adding bass chimes to the force - now with a full lower 4th/5th oct. bass

• May 17 - Concert at Sunnyside Retirement Community, Harrisonburg, Va. 3:00 p.m.
• May 19 - 7 p.m. Benefit concert partnering with Habitat for Humanity. Virginia Bethune, harpist, special guest. At Massanutten Presbyterian Church, Rt. 33 east Harrisonburg.

Fall 2011 Concerts: MOSAIC joined forces with the Shenandoah Valley Choral Society (under director Curtis Nolley) for their Christmas Concert season:

• Fri. Dec. 16 at 7:30 and
• Sun. Dec. 18 at 3:00, Bridgewater Church of the Brethren, Bridgewater, Va.

2011 Summer Workshops - MOSAIC sponsored two ringing workshops (June 16 and July 21, both from noon-4 p.m.) at First Pres. Harrisonburg) with instruction, techniques and reading sessions.

Spring 2011 concerts:
-April 21 at 2:00 p.m. - An informal "outdoor" concert for Redeemer Classical School, Keezletown, Va.
-May 12 at 2:30 - a full concert for Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Harrisonburg, Va.
-May 15 at 7:00 p.m. - a combined concert with the Metanoia, the in-house prison handbell choir (directed by Robert Wheeler) at the Fluvanna (Virginia) Women's Maximum Security Prison. Each group presented 4 solo pieces, and the groups combined their efforts for 2 pieces as well.

Fall/Winter 2010 Performances:
MOSAIC played 2 back to back concerts at Rockingham Memorial Hospital from noon-2:30 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2010 and a full concert Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011 at Sunnyside Retirement Community, Harrisonburg, Va. (Rescheduled twice due to snow!)


- The 14th International Handbell
Symposium in Osaka, Japan in August 2010 was amazing! 1,100 people from 11 different countries - meeting, ringing and celebrating music together. I rang with Debbie's Rice's group, Rejoice Ringers, for Massed Rehearsals and taught my classes on "Mixed Meter Mastery" with Arthur Syin ably translating apace all the technical jargon into Japanese. I loved meeting all the college girls and seeing the incredible groups perform. I also accompanied Emmy and Peter Bortolin in their solo and duet performances.


- Prairie Suite (3-6 oct. L3/4, opt. chimes, AGEHR ), a three-part work commissioned for the Area VIII Festival in Topeka 6-2010, is now available for purchase and performance. Each of the three sections of this very accessible yet artistic piece represents a different aspect of Kansas culture, and general and sacred subtitles are suggested for other uses beyond Kansas borders:

• People of the South Wind (Dignity, Faithfulness) - solid, uplifting, gentle and powerful with a haunting melody (L3)
• Sunflower Dance (Fibonacci Rondo, Celebration) - a bright, quirky piece in 5/8 and 6/8 with optional chimes (L4-)
• Reach for the Stars (Destiny, The Prophecy Fulfilled) - a forward-driving piece with optimism and rich chords (L3)

Pictured left is the premier of the piece at the Area VIII Festival in Topekas by all 4 divisions of ringers (Tins, Silver, Gold, Bronze.) It was truly an uplifting experience for me, and the ringers and audience warmly embraced the piece. (That's me on the podium right center in green.)



You may hear a clip of People of the South Wind, only, at handbellworld.com - recorded live at the premier. For audio clips of the other 2 pieces, please contact me directly at Longwalk3@aol.com


- Big Sky Festival concert - Read a really nice article (Livingston, Montana 4-2010). See Media Link to the left (excerpt below)
".........The concert program included many different styles of music from classical to boogie. My favorites were both pieces written by Kathleen Wissinger. “When We Gather” had lyrics which we sang, “When we gather here with two, when we gather more than a few, when we gather in your name, in your name, in your name.” It was absolutely heavenly. My other favorite was “Broken for You,” and you could have heard a pin drop as the final bell rang, before the audience burst forth in applause...."

	General Information "Our clinician was Kathleen Wissinger, who received RAVE reviews from experienced attendees and first time groups alike." M.A. Bellingham, Big Sky Festival 2010 Directing Handbells since 1988 Since 1988, I have lead 1 or 2 youth/teen handbell groups at Massanutten Presbyterian Church (Penn Laird, Va.) My new group of beginners (5th grade and up) started in Fall, 2010 - "AdventuRing!" - has already played at Sunnyside Retirement Community. Fall 2010 also saw the charter of "Mosaic" Handbell Ensemble, a community performing group with ringers from the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville area. I currently teach handbells classes to 5th grade and 6th-8th grades at Redeemer Classical School. For the previous 6-8 years, I directed "Spectrum," an advanced teen ensemble of 3-8 ringers (plus me when needed.) We played a variety of 2, 3, 4 or 5 octave music, quartets, trios, duets and 5x5. Everyone used 4iH and weaving as needed. In the "Spectrum" link at left, you can read about our tours and concerts. A younger group "Prism" was also added when needed, and then those ringers fed into "Spectrum." Before that, I directed a 12-14 ringer advanced teen group called "touch of Jesus." "toJ" toured each semester, cut two CD's (Circle of Bronze and Ring Around the Moon), played for 5,000 in worship at a PCUSA General Assembly and for four FirstNight Celebrations. Most of my early advanced pieces such as "A Large Day" and "Jazzin' " were written for this wonderful group of high school kids. Composing "Thank you, Kath Wissinger, for "Savior of the Nations, Come". It is peaceful, bold, beautiful, majestic - all the things that make up feelings during the Advent season. It has a level 2+, but is so much more than that. The chimes add tenderness. My ringers are completely taken by it..... This year, this is the piece which has blessed us. Thanks" Jean Johnson, Trinity Lutheran, Omaha NE "....your arrangement is top-drawer ... clever, refreshing, inventive, and musical." Doug Wagner, editor - Lorenz Corporation With over 60 pieces in print from a number of respected publishers, it's always an honor to be asked to write a commission to celebrate an event or to honor someone special. I also write pedagogical music for my school groups, pieces as requested by publishers, and music for beginning-through-advanced groups, ensembles and double choirs. I enjoy sacred and secular; originals and arrangements, lyric and rhythmic. I also write anthems and original hymn texts/tunes (sometimes with handbell accompaniments.) See information on my newly published and soon-to-be-released music below and more in the links at the left. "You amaze me with all the clever ways you think up to teach bells to kids!" Tammy Waldrop, editor, Alfred Music Publishers Teaching and Directing at Seminars and Festivals "...was thrilled to see you in action and impressed with your clear, impeccable conducting..." Emmy Bortolin, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Event coordinators have invited me to participate in over 50 events as a director and teacher at the local, area, regional and national (and now - international!)level - single choirs to 750 ringers, youth and adult, all levels. I teach as I conduct at Festivals and Workshops, guiding physical response to the music and explaining notation, compositional style, interpretation, theory, form, patterns, technique options, safe ringing, and anything else that allows the ringer to more fully interpret the music. -------------------We have fun, we work hard, and we create marvelous music!! -------------- "Kath Wissinger worked miracles in improving their skills in just a few hours, encouraging them, allowing them to enjoy the music and the bells.. KATH IS AWESOME!" Bill Ahlman, Director For a listing of upcoming event, see above - and for all past events, see the bar at the left. Middle School handbells "Seeing those boys ringing makes me think you are a miracle worker!" Ike Lassiter, Headmaster, Redeemer Classical School Redeemer Classical School, Harrisonburg, Va. has been my teaching haven for 7 years. We present one or two concerts per semester and outreach appearances as well. In addition to various retirement centers, we have played twice for the annual Lenten music series at Asbury UMC, Harrisonburg, Va. and participated in the WISH Festival (Washing DC Independent School Handbell Festival) and the James River Ringers 2-3 octave Festival. In April 2010, RCS successfully hosted the second annual Redeemer Classical Handbell Festival for 33 school-aged ringers at Massanetta Springs. I have also taught KG-5th grade general music. For the 2010-2011 school year, I teach a 4th grade chime class and a 5th-8th grade handbell class. -Responding to a need for solid, pedagogically-based, concert-worthy pieces for my own students, I have written a number of specifically focused pieces that work well in any teaching, beginning or workshop environment. See the box at the left for repertoire and pedagogical (teaching) pieces. -Introducing 5 new ringers into the middle high group spurred me to invent "Split-Level" pieces - which assign L1 ringing for select ringers, and L2 for others. Scroll up to see "Split-Level" pieces. Member of the AGEHR Area III Board for 8 years (2001-2009) I served as Secretary/Board Member and then Board Member-at-Large on the Area III AGEHR Board of Directors and am still active in Guild leadership; teaching classes, administering the chime loan program, mentoring directors and composers. During my tenure, I wrote, directed and produced an Area III promotional DVD with Linda Simms (now on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJM0ITFVo3E) and spearheaded the re-inception of a regular Area III composition contest. Articles Published in Overtones (the AGEHR magazine) "Stopped Sounds" (from a composer's perspective) Overtones. July/Aug. 2005 Issue 51-04 "The Power of One: Unison Exercises." Overtones. Jan./Feb. 2008 Issue 54-01 "Make Mine Special: De-mystifying the process of commissioning a new piece of music." Overtones. July/August 2010 Issue 56-04 Ringing sessions for the Very Special Arts of Virginia For years our local schools sponsored an annual "Very Special Arts" experience for handicapped students - a "Day for the Arts." Students rotated through a few special-focus experiences throughout the event. My station was a chime-ringing experience. I have also led similar sessions at Camp Still Meadows, a summer retreat north of Harrisonburg for handicapped adults. National Park Service Ranger and Piano Teacher With a degree in Geology, I served as a Park Ranger/Naturalist in the National Park System for many years, taught Environmental Education to 3rd graders through high schoolers at a residential camp near New York City (Nature's Classroom), and have been an Elder Hostel teacher. Now I'm active teaching and directing at Handbell events, teaching middle school bells, and taking care of my piano students as well as my church ringers and composing projects. I have also taught guitar and KG-5 general music, presented sequential preschool music units and adjudicated at piano and handbell festivals.
	Composing and Teaching More than 60 of my compositions have been published by companies such as AGEHR, Lorenz, GIA, HighMeadow, SoundForth, Above the Line, Choristers Guild, National Music, STEP, Alfred, From the Top, Composers Music (Jeffers), Hope/Agape. I write solos and ensembles as well as full choir pieces ranging from 2 octaves to 7 octaves: Levels 1 through 5. Many of my pieces are also written for pedagogical purposes - to teach particular skills - either for my ringers or for other choirs. I have also written some original hymns - texts and tunes - some published with handbell accompaniments. PEDAGOGICAL (Teaching) MUSIC "My hat's off to you!! We need more teaching pieces. Your scores are easy to read, allow both clefs to ring rhythms, include drills, sound full, and the kids feel successful with stated attainable goals. Success breeds success." Kimly Schlabach, Middle High Handbell Teacher at Thomas Harrison Middle School, Harrisonburg, Va. Many of my teaching pieces have been written for my middle high ringers at school: each piece targets a specific technical level and carefuly assigned parts, often with Unison Exercises included. Some are in response to specific requests from other teachers I know. Once the students have mastered the preparatory exercises, the piece, being written with such careful focus, is much easier for the students to understand and play well. Each piece is worthy of classroom/workshop time - and also is appropriate for concert performance or worship. "BTW, thank you for 'Accolade' and 'Campana Sonos.' All 4 of my 7th grade groups have been working on 'Accolade' and all 4 of my 6th grade groups will finish the year with 'Campana Sonos.' GREAT teaching pieces!" Mike Joy, Handbell Teacher, The Shipley School, Philadelphia, PA See the listing at the left for pedagogical pieces, appropriate for school, festival and concert use. _______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ My tastes run from Celtic, sacred, classical, baroque to jazz and downright Sassy! I specialize in original pieces but also enjoy breathing new life into arrangements of known hymn tunes. Following are some of my pieces. See a complete listing in the links to the left. -RECENTLY RELEASED PIECES- Three Accident(al)-Prone Mice 2-3 oct. L2(easy!) This fun arrangement of "Three Blind Mice" satisfies the request of every ringer to "ring the black notes." After a full introduction of the theme using full chords and "question and answer" methods, ringers have 2 measures to switch to their accidentals and continue to ring the theme again. Some rhythmic interest and simple syncopation also make this piece interesting. (Composers Music) All Night, All Day 3-5 oct. L2- with opt. Orff/guitar, Chime Choir and unison singing This fun piece can include your entire school, audience or congregation - whether singing, signing, ringing, or playing chimes, guitar or Orff. Suggestions for performance options are included. (Choristers Guild, Spring 2012 release, but now in print.) How Deep the Father's Love for Us 3-6 oct. (opt. 3 oct. chimes) L3 Written by the author of "In Christ Alone," Stuart Townend's emotionally searing hymn will touch hearts in this artfully crafted arrangement. Scored in keys which invite a solo vocalist to sing the lyrics, if you wish. Ideal for worship, concert or festival, where it will bring down the house! (SoundForth 279166) Simple Gifts 3-6 oct. L3+ This catchy, traditional Quaker tune is livened up even more with a Rumba beat! Use it to add some spark to a workship service, kick up a concert a notch or challenge more advanced ringers at a Festival. A true audience pleaser! Fun and very rhythmic. Add drumming if you wish! (SoundForth 279133) Jubilare 3 oct. L2- (Opt. 3 oct. chimes) A rondo with a catchy theme. All eighth notes are carefully assigned within positions, so while it sounds complex, the actual ringing is very easy to master. (Composer's Music 7046) A Classical Christmas 3-5 oct. L4 (opt. 2-4 oct. chimes, and sleighbells) A medley of Christmas "Classics" in the real sense: Vivaldi's "Gloria," "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," and Mozart's "Sleighride" trio. The Sugar Plum Fairy (complete in itself) is very true to the original orchestral arrangement with just a few concessions to "ringing ease." Sure to be a favorite highlight in a Holiday concert. (Lorenz 201582L) Carol of the Bells 2-3 oct. (L2+) and 3-5 oct. (L3) A bold rendition of this iconic Holiday tune, this piece is scored in 2 compatible formats, excellent for festival, school and church use. The familiar 8th note runs are placed specifically on the scale for easy ringing, even with a few interesting key changes. L2 if no techniques are used. (Hope 2563 2-3 oct and Hope 2571 3-5 oct.) Prairie Suite 3-6 oct. L3/4 (AGEHR AG36043) A three-part suite commissioned for (and premiered at) the Area VIII 2010 Festival in Topeka, Kansas. People of the South Wind (Dignity, Faithfulness) - solid, uplifting, gentle and powerful with a haunting melody (L3) (This audio clip is available at the handbellworld.com website) Sunflower Dance (Fibonacci Rondo, Celebration) - a bright, quirky piece in 5/8 and 6/8 with optional chimes; the melodic line follows a Fibonacci sequence of tones. Optional chimes. ABACA form.(L4-) Reach for the Stars (Destiny, The Prophecy Fulfilled) - a forward-driving, epic-style finale of struggle and success, with rich chords ending with random suspended mallets on treble bells, sparkling like stars.(L3) We Wish You a Merry Christmas - 3 or 5 oct. L2- A perfect piece for Holiday concerts, with the option of inviting your audience to sing-along! One section features bass bells on mallets, and another, catchy counter melodies. Techniques include echo, martellato, mart lift, mallet and mallet lift. (Alfred AP33935) Technicalities Vol. 1 - a new pedagogical series focusing on "single skill" pieces Echo Canyon and Mallet Dance, 3 oct. L1+ This folio introduces echoes in the first piece and mallets on tabled bells in the second - for the entire 3 oct. range. Ideas for unison exercises and teaching methods are included for each piece. Ideal for school/classroom use and in beginning (Genesis) division Festival settings; worthy of church, school and concert performance. Alternate titles offered for sacred settings. (Alfred AP33926) Go, Tell It on the Mountain (based on a John Carter piano arrangement) 3-6 oct. L3 A lively version of this beloved spiritual using a triplet pattern for accompaniment in the refrain. Optional 3-5 oct. chimes for the verses with interesting harmonic progressions. (Hope 2528) Kingsport Procession - 3-5 oct. L2 Written for the Kingsport Festival, Kingsport, TN - this lively 56 measure piece can be used as a processional in the first measures, and then continued once ringers are at the tables. Celebratory and modal with lots of rhythmic punch. (AGEHR 35293) Two French Folk Tunes 2-3 L1+ "Au Claire de la Lune" and "Sur le Pont d'Avignon" (you'll recognize both of them!) set in all quarter notes or above, with a variety of techniques in appropriate ranges (all optional). Very easy accidental changes for all but 2 ringers (who have no changes.) Unison practice exercises included to teach each skill as a group. A "step-up" piece that won't overwhelm beginning ringers but will allow some truly interesting and fun music to be performed by all. Perfect for school, concerts and Festivals. (Lorenz 201519L) Lamb of God, Pure and Sinless - 2-3 oct. L2+ (opt. 2-3 oct. chimes) Based on a Bach Lenten Chorale from the 1500's, this tune is appropriate for Lent or communion. Mid-range ringers are showcased in an eighth note obbligato in the second verse. (Nancy Jessup series, National Music Publishers 663) Come, Christmas, Come 3-5 oct. L2+ opt. chimes (one, two or three choir options) - "O Come All Ye Faithful" in two stand-alone or compatible settings which can also accompany congregational singing. (From the Top #20200) One Great Spirit 2-3 and 3-5 oct. (both included in one folio) L2 Plaintive but strong original tune with Native American feel. Mallets and close harmonies, as well as open fifths. Excellent for school use, church and Festivals. (re-issued by GIA 7251) For a current full listing of my published pieces - see the link at the left. You can find most of my pieces (and audio clips) by searching Jeffers Handbell Supply web site for "Wissinger" in the upper right search box at (www.handbellworld.com) Above the Line carries my series called "Expandabells" which allows for multiple numbers of ringers and configurations without "watering down" the positions. Ringers who want more varied ensemble experience will enjoy these original pieces: Sassy!(Elf Mischief), Souviens, Recueillir, Resolution. Some include full choir and even Choir II Scores as well. These are sold in Master Packets. Other quartets include: Go Down, Moses (also in 2 oct. choir format) and Bittersweet (Love and Agony) from National Music Publishers. COMING SOON! A Shining Star 3-5 oct. L4 Theme and variations on Twinkle, Twinkle Liitle Star - this piece uses every single handbell technique - Singing Bell, Suspended Mallet, Swing, LV, Chimes, Martellato, Pluck, Mallets, Thumb Damp, Gyro, Shake, Ring touch, Aqua Bell, Echo, Mallet Roll, Mart/Pluck Lifts, Vibrato, Table Land Damp, etc. A fun show piece for concert and festival. (From the Top, Fall 2012) Infant Holy, Infant Lowly 3 oct. Quartet (and maybe trio) Etherial and calm, this pieces allows ringers to enter the stable with gentle harmonies and calm melodic lines. A really nice quartet for intermediate level ringers. (From the Top) Mary Had a Baby 3 oct. L2- This gentle carol from South Carolina tradition is set specifically to make eighth note ringing easy and approachable, yet this goal is undetectable to the listener. Melody is found in both treble and bass, and each verse offers an interesting variation. Echoes, marts. (Ringing Word) A Mighty Fortress - in 3 formats!! 1. 3 oct. quartet /quintet(medium-advanced) - top part is 4iH (or 2 people may play this) 2. Solo/duet with piano accompaniment 3. 3 or 5 oct. full choir score. L3 (Due out summer 2012) A bouncy rhythmic version with mallets. (From the Top.) All Night, All Day 3-5 oct. L2- with opt. Orff/guitar, Chime Choir and unison singing This fun piece can include your entire school, audience or congregation - whether singing, signing, ringing, or playing chimes, guitar or Orff. Suggestions for performance options are included. (Choristers Guild, Spring 2012 release) Lord of the Rings, Medley 3-5 oct. L3 (opt. chimes) An exciting rendition that interweaves many of the themes from the first film - The Fellowship of the Ring - including "The Road Goes Ever On and On," "Many Meetings," "Council of Elrond" (The Fellowship theme), "The Green Dragon" (pub song), "Welcome to Rivendell," "In Dreams," and "A Knife in the Dark" (one of the ring themes). Plan ahead for Festival, school and concert use. Release date uncertain. _______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Directing and Teaching "You will enjoy her pleasant personality and enthusiasm that she shares with her own young ringers. Guaranteed, you will learn something new!" Alice Lewis, Chair Area X (Oregon/Washington/Idaho) AGEHR Leading festivals and workshops and teaching classes are joys for me; from school aged groups to adults; advanced tracks, beginners and everything in between; from single choirs and small festivals to 750 massed ringers, as well as seminars for directors. I have helped start up new events, working closely with planners - and have also directed well-established events with many returning participants. I would be honored to be considered as a conductor or clinician for your event. Event planners note how well I communicate with them prior to the event and how unusual it is to have an event director mingle and visit so well with the participants. See the listing of my upcoming and past events - and classes I have taught - in the links to the left. The AGEHR Master Conducting Class with Bill Payn in Jan. 2003 influenced my conducting immensely. I studied Composition with Arnold Sherman Jan. 2005 (also an AGEHR Master Class) and with John Behnke in 2003, and Advanced Conducting with David Davidson in 2003. I am also certified AGEHR Level 1.
	Contact me! You may contact me at Longwalk3 "at" aol "dot" com Please make specific reference in the subject line describing your query. Feel free to ask me about any of my pieces as well. Updated 4-17-2012