Teaching music to students of different interests and varying abilities is always a challenge. Conventional music programs such as band and choirs may not be the answer. Many students find it difficult to sing in front of other people, or may lack the dedication required to master a traditional musical instrument. This can leave students feeling discouraged, frustrated, and unwilling to continue learning music. The answer may lie with handbells and melody chimes.

Handbells have been used as a learning tool for more than a thousand years. Their origin is in the ninth century when they were devised to help medieval ringers practise the art of tower bell ringing. Hand held chimes were first developed in the 1980s.

Handbells and melody chimes are becoming increasingly common in educational settings. They offer a sound unlike any other instrument in an orchestra. Their attractive sound makes student motivated to learn this unique instrument. Handbells and melody chimes are easy to use, and can therefore be used by even the least musically inclined. These instruments can be used by people of any age or ability, and can even be used in retirement homes or by those who have differing abilities. Handbells and melody chimes develop students’ musical skills, build self esteem, encourage teamwork, and promote socialization. Students immediately make music with these instruments through hands on participation, after a brief overview of techniques to play the instrument.

My mission is to introduce handbells and melody chimes to all schools with the hope of broadening the public awareness of these unique and versatile instruments.

I am currently a 26 year old handbell ringer as well as music instructor. I have been playing handbells in a choir since 2008 and began solo ringing in the fall of 2012. In 2010 I became the assistant director of the Charming Chimers, and the Altones, two children’s chime choirs.

In 2011 I began accompanying our handbell director into schools teaching workshops to students through the Dufferin Arts Council. At these workshops students learn the basics of how to play melody chimes and then begin to play music immediately. They learn a variety of songs in the period of about an hour, and also get the opportunity to play copper-plated junior bells, boomwhackers, coloured chime bars, as well as a variety of percussive instruments. Students also learn about handbells and listen to a demonstration of a solo ringer. Older grade students may get an opportunity to play these more delicate and expensive instruments. Students leave the workshops feeling confident and proud of their accomplishment. Many children leave inquiring about how they can become more involved in a chime choir in the future.

Now that I am confident teaching workshops on my own, I would like to begin teaching workshops independently through the Dufferin Arts Council Artists in the School Program. I would also like to begin teaching at schools in the Simcoe region as well. I would also start up another children’s’ chime choir in Simcoe region when students have experienced the chimes through their school. I would also be available to help teachers learn about chimes and “teach the teachers” to incorporate chimes into their music curriculum if the school chooses to invest in their own set of chimes. In order to do all this it is a requirement that I have my own set of chimes and equipment. Although having bells at the workshops is a great addition, it is not entirely necessary to get started.

I recently won a scholarship through the Orangeville & District Music Festival for my handbell performance, and I used this money to purchase two octaves of copper-plated junior bells. These have been a great addition to our workshops recently, and were fairly inexpensive.

A good set of three octaves of Malmark chimes is around $2500.00, plus the cost of percussive instruments, and additional resources such as coloured chime bars that are a requirement when class sizes are extremely large. All of the directing of the children’s’ chime choirs is purely volunteer. Teaching workshops through the schools pays minimally as I only receive a portion of the money since I am not yet an independent artist through the DAC program.

I teach because I love music, and I want every child to have the opportunity to learn and get excited about music. Seeing children succeed and listening to the wonderful music they create makes all the time worthwhile. Music has provided me a refuge in my life when I was overcoming hurdles of childhood abuse, assault, and depression. I hope to be able to provide the same kind of refuge to students and people who find themselves in difficult situations. Music provides a common ground in which people can safely express themselves. In order to be able to teach more students and reach more schools, I need financial support to purchase my own set of melody chimes. I believe that what I am doing impacts children. I need your help to reach more children and allow them to experience music. Music is extremely therapeutic and every student should get the opportunity to experience the joy of playing melody chimes. A donation of more than $50 will “sponsor a chime” and your name will be placed in the case of a chime, representing that you have “bought” that chime for us. You could also buy a chime in honour of someone. Every person who donates over $25 will receive a chime memento to thank them for their contribution. Please help support my dream of bringing music to every classroom.