Full Course

FIVE virtual sessions (plus ONE optional) and ONE cumulative in-person session

    • OGEHR members only
    • Fee: $250
    • Five mandatory virtual workshops plus one optional (see chart below)
    • Snacks on Friday and Saturday; lunch at Saturday's in-person session
    • Mentoring and feedback from clinicians throughout the year

Space is limited to 10—deadline for registration Sept. 16, 2023

Individual Workshops

À la carte selection from SIX virtual workshops and In-person Conducting Masterclass - audit only

    • Virtual workshops #1-5: OGEHR members only $25 each
    • Virtual workshop #6 : OGEHR members $25; non-members $30
    • Conducting Masterclass: OGEHR members only $65. Includes audit of April 27 session only (includes lunch)

Space is unlimited—deadline for registration for each session is five days prior to start date


Virtual Sessions:

Course TopicDate and TimeClinician 
 1. Basic Theory Sept. 30, 2023, 9 - 11 a.m. Rob Cairns
 2. Integrating Handbells/Handchimes into Existing Classroom   Programs (Optional) Oct. 21, 2023, 9 - 11 a.m. Debbie McMackin
 3. Handbell/Handchime Techniques Oct. 28, 2023, 9 - 11 a.m. Lynn Boothroyd
 4. Basic Conducting Nov. 25, 2023, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Dominique Moreau
 5. Running Efficient Rehearsals Jan. 27, 2024, 9 - 11 a.m. Lisa Kyriakides
 6. Choosing Repertoire & Assigning Ringers Feb. 24, 2024, 9 - 11 a.m. Lisa Kyriakides

In-Person Session:

 Course TopicDate and Time 
 Repertoire Masterclass Fri., April 26, 2024, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
 Conducting Masterclass Sat., April 27, 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: Aurora United Church, 79 Victoria Street, Aurora, Ontario
Note: Potential to billet with a ringer on Friday night to save $

Cancellation Policy

Refunds for the full course will be allowed if notice of cancellation is received on or before Sept. 23, 2023 (one week prior to start date).

Refund for the individual workshops will be allowed if notice of cancellation is received on or before the Monday prior to the start date of each workshop.

Need more information? Email programs@ogehr.ca

Workshop Descriptions and Clinician Bios

1. Basic Theory
Sept. 30, 2023, 9 - 11 a.m.

Handbell playing is quite different than other musical endeavours. In order to be successful, a firm grasp of rhythm is a major factor in developing a successful handbell choir. The music theory in this section focuses on the basic aspects of music theory with a focus on rhythm. The following are the topics that will be covered:

    • Staffs, clefs, and ledger lines
    • Note duration
    • Measures and time signatures
    • Rest duration
    • Dots and ties
    • Steps and accidentals
    • Simple and compound meter
    • Major scales
    • Minor scales
    • Key signatures

2. Integrating Handbells/Handchimes into Existing Classroom Programs (Optional)
Oct. 21, 2023, 9 - 11 a.m.

In this two-hour virtual session we will cover the following topics:

    • Options for using this type of instrument in various grades and the transitions/connections between these instruments
    • Using handbells and handchimes in combination with your other instruments
    • Pros and cons of using handbells and handchimes in your classroom
    • How to access resources for using these instruments in your program
    • Question time


3. Handbell/Handchime Techniques
Oct. 28, 2023, 9 - 11 a.m.

In this two-hour virtual session we will cover the following topics:

    • Ringing  bell
    • Damping
    • Basic stopped sounds
    • Malleting
    • Weaving
    • Ringing a chime
    • Damping, vibrato, stopped sounds on a chime
    • Four-in-hand
    • Technique questions

Please have with you, three regular sized bells, four small bells for four-in-hand, two chimes, and a set of mallets.

4. Basic Conducting
Nov. 25, 2023, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

In this three-hour virtual session we will look at:

    • Basic conducting patterns
    • Conducting motions—and the results they will get
    • Choosing the right motions
    • Tips and tricks on what to do and what not to do
    • How to practice conducting
    • You will get to try conducting and get feedback


5. Running Efficient Rehearsals
Jan. 27, 2024, 9 - 11 a.m.

In this two-hour virtual session we will cover the following topics:

    • Score study
    • Conducting style
    • Preparing for rehearsals
    • Creating rehearsal plans
    • General tips for running efficient rehearsals
    • Question time – bring your specific questions

6. Choosing Repertoire & Assigning Ringers
Feb. 24, 2024, 9 - 11 a.m.

In this two-hour virtual session we will cover the following topics:

    • Planning for the "bigger picture"—a concert, season, or a year
    • Assessing the capabilities of ringers
    • Assigning ringers
    • Levels of music
    • Variety in programming
    • Busyness in the ensemble
    • Quality of music
    • Where to get music
    • Question time

Rob Cairns

Rob is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario where he received both his Honours Bachelor and Masters degrees, and where he completed his Education degree. Prior to this he attended Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, graduating in Technical Theatre. While at University he was presented with both the Albert Winslow Award in Choral Conducting and the Don Wright Scholarship in Vocal Music. Rob just retired after teaching for 34 years, the last 29 of which was at Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts in London, Ontario where he specialized in Vocal Music and Drama. As a conductor he worked with Pearson’s grade 7 school choir, the grade 8 school choir, the Pearson Singers – a grade 4 to 8 auditioned choir, and Twelve – a group of select senior students who are given the opportunity to work on vocal pieces at a very high level of artistry. He currently conducts the St. Thomas Youth Choir and the St. Thomas Children's Choir. The Youth Choir regularly tours overseas to participate in international choral festivals. Outside of school Rob has performed as tenor soloist on various concert series in the southern Ontario area and is the director of the handbell choirs at Metropolitan United Church. Rob is the Past-President of the Ontario Guild of English Handbell Ringers.

Debbie McMackin

Debbie graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a BMus, Honours Music Education and attended the University of Toronto for her BEd. She has been with the Toronto District School Board for over 40 years, enjoying a career as secondary, elementary, and currently occasional teacher. After discovering the world of handbells before retiring, Debbie added ringing to her musical performance résumé. In early 2017, she began ringing with the Bells of Bowmanville, additionally, joining the Bronze Foundation Academy, all while continuing to participate in other various musical ensembles outside of bell ringing. She is a current member of the Ontario Guild of English Handbell Ringers where she participates as a standing member on the OGEHR Education Committee with roles that include being a clinician and the liaison to the Ontario Music Educators Association.

Lynn Boothroyd

Lynn has been ringing bells for twenty-five years and conducting for twenty. She holds a Bachelor of Arts/Music Major Degree and a Music Education Degree from Mount Allison University and has a background in teaching music in the schools, directing choirs, bands and as an organist. Her handbell choirs range from beginners to advanced. Her ringers love to attend OGEHR Festivals, Canadian Festivals, Vermont Spring Rings, services at different churches & denominations, interfaith gatherings, service clubs, retirement homes, and concerts. She also teaches workshops at OGEHR Festivals, HMC Programming, Spring & Fall Workshops and to other choirs. She is a Past President of OGEHR, past Chair of the East Area Directors Roundtable, and is a Board Member for Handbell Musicians of Canada.

Dominique Moreau

Dominique is a percussionist and conductor based in Ottawa-Gatineau. Holder of a Masters Degree in Music from the University of Ottawa, he plays regularly with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and with other ensembles. He conducts the St. Andrew’s Ringers handbell choir and gives handbell workshops locally and at OGEHR festivals. As an educator, Dominique teaches music and directs the junior concert band at Gisèle-Lalonde High School in Ottawa and he coaches the percussionists of the Ottawa Youth Orchestra.

Lisa Kyriakides

Lisa Kyriakides is an experienced soloist, educator, musical director, conductor and adjudicator. She holds a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education Degrees from The University of Western Ontario. She is the director of the handbell program at Aurora United Church, is a member of the EmBellished handbell quartet, and has been a ringer in The Bronze Foundation ensemble since 2015. She has given many handbell workshops at OGEHR festivals and workshops and was one of the guest conductors at the 2019 and 2023 OGEHR Festivals. Lisa was chosen to be a Canadian Conductor at the 2022 International Handbell Symposium in Nashville. Lisa is the President of OGEHR and is on the Board of the Handbell Musicians of Canada.

Lisa Kyriakides

Lisa Kyriakides is an experienced soloist, educator, musical director, conductor and adjudicator. She holds a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education Degrees from The University of Western Ontario. She is the director of the handbell program at Aurora United Church, is a member of the EmBellished handbell quartet, and has been a ringer in The Bronze Foundation ensemble since 2015. She has given many handbell workshops at OGEHR festivals and workshops and was one of the guest conductors at the 2019 and 2023 OGEHR Festivals. Lisa was chosen to be a Canadian Conductor at the 2022 International Handbell Symposium in Nashville. Lisa is the President of OGEHR and is on the Board of the Handbell Musicians of Canada.


In-Person Sessions Description

Repertoire Masterclass

In this three-hour in-person cumulative session, each attendee will present rehearsal plans for two contrasting pieces of music. These plans will be discussed by the group and feedback will be given to each presenter. This will be an opportunity to learn from the other attendees and to discuss repertoire.

Conducting Masterclass

In this final all day cumulative in-person session, each attendee will have the opportunity to conduct a live handbell ensemble on two pieces of music. Conductors will receive feedback from the clinicians, fellow attendees, and ringers on their conducting techniques and styles. This is an excellent opportunity to get direct feedback and to learn from watching other’s conduct.

For those participants who are auditing this final session, this will give you an opportunity to see other conductors in action and to learn from the feedback they are given.


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