Soundings – Music of Our Land and Our Lives – Vancouver 2016

The 17th International Handbell Symposium is under way in Vancouver, Canada.  Over 750 handbell musicians from around the world are gathered here to unite across the boundaries of nationality and language through the music of handbells.

Leaders of the IHC Member Guilds and Executive Director of the IHC gather after the Opening Ceremony.

Activities began yesterday (July 26) with Opening Ceremonies which featured the traditional procession of the flags of the 7 member countries of the International Handbell Committee: the United States, Japan, Great Britain, Korea, Canada, Australasia, and

Hong Kong.  The first massed ringing rehearsal followed as participants had their first opportunity to play through all the repertoire as a group.  Here is a list of the music and conductors featured this week:

So Glorious and Free by Betty B. Radford, published by From the Top, conducted by Stuart Sladden, Handbell Guilds of Canada

Spring Sea by Michio Miyagi, arranged by Hirotaka Arai, published by HIRO Musica, conducted by Hirotaka Aria, Handbell Ringers of Japan

Spirit of Freedom, arranged by Malcom Wilson, published by Flagstaff Publishing, conducted by Malcom Wilson, Handbell Ringers of Great Britain

Thine is the Glory, G.F. Handel, arranged by Margaret Tucker, published by Choristers Guild, Jae Weoul Song, Korean Handbell Association

Little Bits of Heart, by Clarence Mak, published by Hing Publishing, conducted by Emily Li, Handbell Association of Hong Kong

Deep River, arranged by Hart Morris, published by Ring Out Press, conducted by Ed Rollins, Handbell Musicians of America

Allegro Con Moto, by Jason Krug, published by GIA Publications, conducted by Timothy Sherlock, Handbell Society of Australasia

Hishuk Ish Tsawalk, by Bruce Henczel, published by BCGEHR, conducted by Janet Nordstrand, Handbell Guilds of Canada

Day one of the event concluded with a Meet & Greet Reception and Pin Exchange where all enjoyed light refreshments and the opportunity to greet old friends and meet new ones.

Please check back here each day for more updates.