Any other change ringers out there?

kenobi65 · Dec 2, 2005

I was in the handbell choir at my church for several years -- wound up quitting when my job required more travel, and I couldn't make rehearsals regularly (which led to me not playing well on Sundays).

I'd never heard of "change ringing" until seeing this thread, however.

Aeson · Dec 2, 2005

I want to go with you and be Change Ringer like my father.

Jdvn1 · Dec 2, 2005

Eridanis said:
[sblock=saves space]Ha! You're in an excellent spot. There are three towers in Houston - one just opened a year or two ago, if I remember correctly; the North American Guild just had their annual meeting in Houston last Labor Day.

Here's the info from nagcr.org. Looks like two towers alternate Monday practices, while the other does Tuesday. These are churches, of course, but don't let that put you off if you're not religiously inclined; it's certainly not a requirement.

Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church
6221 Main Street
Houston, Texas, 77030
Bells: 8 Whitechapel 2005, 6-0-21
Sunday: 12:15 - 1 p.m.
Practice: Tuesday 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. (call first)

St. Paul's United Methodist Church
5501 South Main Street
Houston, Texas, 77004
Bells: 8, 11-0-3, Whitechapel, 2001
Sunday: TBA
Practice: Monday 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. alternating weeks with St. Thomas, Houston

St. Thomas Episcopal Church
4900 Jackwood
Houston, Texas, 77096
Bells: 8, 7-0-7, Taylor, 1971
Sunday: 9:30 -10:30 a.m.
Practice: Monday 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. alternating weeks with St. Paul's, Houston

Go to this link directly to get the phone numbers of the tower captains (scroll down to the H's); I won't copy them here. Just let them know that you heard about change ringing and you'd like to learn more; they'll certainly invite you to come see a practise, and if you like what you see and hear, they'll be happy to take on a novice, I'm sure.

This is one of those hobbies that you can do your whole life. As long as you have some hand-eye coordination and can count, you're well on your way.

I hope you check out a tower. Good luck![/sblock]

Cool!

I'll look into it. It's going to be tough to make those practices (in Houston, a drive to downtown is no small trip, especially when I have to wake up early the next morning), but I'll certainly give it a shot!

Eridanis · Dec 2, 2005

kenobi65 said:
I was in the handbell choir at my church for several years -- wound up quitting when my job required more travel, and I couldn't make rehearsals regularly (which led to me not playing well on Sundays).

I'd never heard of "change ringing" until seeing this thread, however.

I've rung handbells for choirs, too, in the past. In tune-ringing, you're responsible for several bells - four to six or more, and your task is to manage your assigned bells to contribute to a (hopefully!) musical piece. You can ring changes on handbells as well as tower bells; you're only responsible for two handbells when doing it that way. It's a whole 'nother way of thinking about music making. It's cool to have both in the holster, so to speak.

I don't know where I first heard about change ringing; it was in the same miasma of pre-teen reading that gave me the background in fantasy, history, and literature that made D&D appealing to me. Climbing up a tower to practise an ancient arcane art - whether it's magic or bells, it's still cool.

(I use 'ancient' advisedly, of course - change ringing has only been around since the early 17th century. That's recent news to our British brethren!)

Umbran · Dec 2, 2005

...Keeping time, time, time,
In a sort of Runic rhyme,
To the tintinnabulation that so musically wells
From the bells, bells, bells, bells,
Bells, bells, bells-
From the jingling and the tinkling of the bells....

Gotta love Poe.

Kid Charlemagne · Dec 2, 2005

Eridanis said:
I don't know where I first heard about change ringing; it was in the same miasma of pre-teen reading that gave me the background in fantasy, history, and literature that made D&D appealing to me.

My first exposure was in one of Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Whimsy mysteries. Lord Peter was a change ringer.

EricNoah · Dec 2, 2005

Is there a place where we could download some sounds to hear it in action?

Eridanis · Dec 4, 2005

Kid Charlemagne said:
My first exposure was in one of Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Whimsy mysteries. Lord Peter was a change ringer.

That must be the NINE TAILORS. I haven't read it yet, unfortunately.

Eric, I know of at least one site that has some sound samples; I'll track it down and link to it.