Our Story
On September 22, 1996, an announcement appeared in the local newspaper stating, "handbell group looks for ringers". Forty people answered the call to audition. Founder Tex Minter chose 18 ringers who became charter members for the new Virginia Handbell Consort. The ensemble started with ambitious goals that included a full schedule of 9 Christmas concerts and took the huge step of purchasing a 5-octave set of Schulmerich Bells and a 3-octave set of chimes. Twenty-eight concerts were performed in the first year and lots of fundraisers were held in order to pay for this initial investment.
Today, VHC owns:
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6 octaves of Schulmerich bells
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4 additional octaves of Schulmerich bells
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3 octaves of Petit and Fritsen bells
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7 octaves of Malmark and Schulmerich chimes
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Percussion equipment that includes wind chimes, wood blocks, triangles, cymbals, etc.
In the twenty five years VHC has been a performing ensemble, 253 pieces of music have been performed and 75 ringers have been members.
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Tex Minter, Founding Director
1996-2002
VHC Highlights in these years:
December, 1997
Performed a concert at The Kennedy Center as part of the Millennium Stage concert series
Spring, 1998
Featured ensemble at Area III, Handbell Musicians of America Festival
December, 1999
Accompanied the Virginia Symphony Pops in a rendition of "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus"
CD
“Snowflakes in Bronze”
Marjorie Setnicky, Director
2002-2005
VHC Highlights in these years:
Spring, 2003
Featured ensemble at Area III, Handbell Musicians of America Festival
July, 2004
Performed at The Handbell Musicians of America’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
CDs
“Ringing in the Holidays”
“Celebrating the American Spirit”
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Norman Elton, Interim Director
2005-2006
Norman agreed to step in as director when the position became vacant. Though his term behind the baton was short, his commitment and dedication enabled VHC to continue bringing music of the highest caliber to our audiences.
Agnes French, Director
2006-2008
VHC Highlights in these years:
December, 2006
Performed 3 pieces as part of a Christmas concert for 1500 people at the Ferguson Center
June, 2007
Visited the National Cathedral tower and rang bells
CD
“On This Day”
Commissioned Music
“Breakaway”, Hart Morris
“Rise Up Shepard and Follow”, Cynthia Dobrinski
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Al Reese, Music Director
2008-present
VHC Highlights So Far!
May, 2010
Performed benefit concert for Menchville House
June, 2013
Performed a concert and taught workshops at Area II Festival, Oswego, NY
August, 2015
Demonstration choir, Area III Director’s Seminar
April, 2016
Premiered Virginia Arts Festival’s Carillon
CDs
“Journey”
“Jingle Those Bells”
Music written by Al Reese and performed by VHC
“Duke, Glenn and Woody” [published]
“A Winter Scene” [published]
“Jingle Those Bells”
“A Christmas Festival”
“Commotion”
“Bronze Tango”
“All Through the Night” (Ar Hyd Y Nos)
“The Shepherd’s Dream” [published]
"St. James Infirmary Blues"
"Go Tell It On the Mountain"
Workshops Attended
Synergy, 2015
Synergy, 2016
Workshops Hosted by VHC
Hands on Handbells – a workshop for local ringers
Read and Ring – annual sight-reading session
Back to Bells – September, 2016