Hundreds Attend Handbell Conference

More than 600 participants in a handbell conference held recently at Ithaca College gave a free recital in Ben Light Gymnasium. Conducted by William Payn, director of choral studies and professor of music at Bucknell University, the program included original compositions as well as such standards as the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Registrants at the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers Area II conference hailed from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, Canada. The five-day session included an array of classes, reading sessions, and master classes, as well as a "young ringers" component for children in grades 3 through 8.

Designed long ago to allow church tower bell operators the opportunity to practice, handbells are growing in popularity in churches and schools, says conference organizer Judy Treisback. The national AGEHR has thousands of members across the continental United States, Canada, Guam, and Puerto Rico.