Arizona Spring Ring

   

Save the Date

Arizona Spring Ring 2027

March 6, 2027

Come and stretch your ringing ability and have a GREAT time!

Clinician Michael Mazzatenta

La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall

6300 E Bell Road

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

★ What is it?

    • It’s Arizona’s state handbell festival, held annually in the Spring.
    • A nationally-recognized clinician conducts the rehearsals and provides insights on musicianship and handbell techniques to take your ringing to the next level.
    • The culmination of the festival is a free concert, open to the public.

★ Where is it?

    • The location of Arizona Spring Ring varies from year-to-year.

★ Who is it for?

    • The event is open to any handbell ringer who registers and can make the drive to the location!
    • Area 11 includes the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Utah, but there is no need to limit participation according to where you may be located.

★ What’s the schedule?

    • The festival starts Saturday morning with set-up at 8:15 am and rehearsal at 9:00 am, rehearsing through the day, and culminates into performing a free public concert.

★ What do I need to bring?

    • Your bells (orphan ringers can be squeezed in with another choir), gloves, mallets, pads, and music stands.
    • Wear whatever you are comfortable in for the rehearsals, but bring your concert attire for the Saturday evening concert.
    • Your Spring Ring music – no photocopies are allowed!

★ What is the music?

    • The repertoire is listed in the registration form. Please order it well in advance so you will have time to practice and become familiar before the festival.

★ Set-up notes

    • Please do not arrive before the venue opens.
    • Just have patience and know that we do our best to plan everything out in advance, but there are always adjustments that have to be made once everyone has arrived.
    • There will be plenty of time allotted for setup and eating breakfast. Please be courteous to others and to the use of the host facility.

★ Any tips for the directors?

    • If you have a school choir, be sure to get your bus/transportation scheduled to the event.
    • Plan to bring some snacks – you can also order lunches on the registration form, or eat somewhere nearby for lunch.
    • Please remind your choirs to use their best rehearsal etiquette and pay attention to the clinician!

★ Anything else?

    • Hydrate well throughout the day, do some stretching, be courteous to others, be attentive to the clinician, and most importantly… HAVE FUN!

Dr. Michael Mazzatenta

Dr. Michael Mazzatenta is an award-winning composer with over ninety published handbell works. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Organ Performance from Arizona State University and has served as the Area 11 Chair for the Handbell Musicians of America (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming). Michael has been called the “most winning” handbell composer for his competition wins in Area 1, 2 (historic double win), 3, 11, and 12 (twice).

Dr. Mazzatenta is well known in Arizona as an educator and church musician. His teaching career has included Phoenix College, Northern Arizona University, and Chandler-Gilbert Community College. He has held a number of various church positions as well, including Organist and Handbell Director at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, AZ. Michael is currently in his tenth year as Adjunct Instructor at Texas A & M University in Corpus Christi, where he teaches music theory, class piano, and composition.

When not teaching in Texas, Michael and his wife Joan Zimmerman enjoy time at their home in East Mesa, AZ. For additional information, event availability, and commission requests, please visit www.mikemazzatenta.com

 

Register for the Arizona Spring Ring featuring Dr. Michael Mazzatenta!

Stay tuned for registration

 Not a member? Join here .

Schedule:
Participants will meet in the morning to set up around 8:00 – 8:45 am. Rehearsals will start at 9:00 am. We will rehearse until 12:00 pm where we will take a 30-45 minute lunch break. After this, we will rehearse until 3:00 pm. We will have a free afternoon concert around 4:00 pm featuring the adult handbell ensemble. Participants will purchase lunch on their own or purchase one through the Area. Lunch selections will be made during registration.

 

8:15am Check in and set up

9:00am Rehearsal starts

10:30am Break

10:45am Rehearsal

12:15pm Lunch – On Your Own or Purchased during Registration

1:00pm Rehearsal

2:15pm Break

2:30pm Rehearsal

3:45pm Set up for concert

4:00pm Concert – A free will offering will be taken

 
Please wear Concert Black for the performance.

Please come with your music rehearsed and ready to ring.  It can be purchased from Jeffers, or distributor of your choice.  Pieces are listed below with corresponding order information.  

Choirs need to bring all their own equipment. Bells and pads will be provided for individual ringers.  Bring your own folders, mallets, stands and sunshine cloths.  Gloves MUST be worn if using borrowed equipment.  

Check back for Repertoire

The concert will be at 4pm. There will be a free will offering.  

 What do I need to bring?

Your bells (individual ringers can be squeezed in with another choir), gloves, mallets, pads, and music stands.
Wear whatever you are comfortable in for the rehearsals, but bring your concert attire for the Saturday evening concert.
Your Spring Ring music – no photocopies are allowed!

To finalize your registration, please send check or submit payment to PayPal.

Checks payable to “Area XI American Guild of English Handbell Ringers” or “Area XI AGEHR” and mailed to:

Irene Brown at 40546 N Spotted Ln, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

Questions? Please Contact:

Anne Kelley: anneandersonkelley@gmail.com

Questions: Contact Nancy Roberts-Small via email