Swiss Handbell Ringers--Swiss Belles

I have been trying to figure out who I am outside of my career. I love music. I love listening to it, I love singing along at the top of my lungs, I love dancing to it, I love playing musical instruments.

I grew up taking piano lessons, on and off, for as long as I can remember. I started with my sister teaching me, and then graduating to a "teacher". I always remember listening to my older sister, who also gave me my first lessons, play the piano in our "front room". Several times I would ask her to tell me the story about the song and she would comply.

I did try to learn the violin, since that was another instrument we had around the house because our grandfather taught himself to make them. But I didn't like the elementary school teacher. So I only had two lessons at the most. When I reached Junior High I wanted to learn to play the saxophone but we weren't allowed to rent instruments, nor can we play it in church. When I got into High School I really wanted to be part of the band, but one can't really drag a piano around. I wish I was more aggressive so many years ago to find an instrument or an alternate route to being in the band. I think there had to be an percussion instrument that would have been easy to learn without the need to "rent" a set for home practice.

Well this last summer I was at a social function and met up with the director of our local Handbell Ringers. I knew about them for a while, and I finally got aggressive about trying new things. I expressed a real interest in auditioning or just learning more about the group. She, she doesn't like to be referred to as she, agreed to talk to me about the group and show me the ropes. I started attending Tuesday practices. I had a blast those first couple weeks sitting alongside an experienced "professional" ringer. I didn't get to perform at our BIG weekend performance but I did get a coveted substitute position. Shortly after that performance I had gained "professional ringer". I started attending weekly practices and learning to own up to my mistakes.

With the holidays coming up we had several performances to be practicing for. With each week bringing us closer to those dates the stress level to get the pieces right started escalating. It was fun to finally perform our numbers. With each performance we improved and it was full enjoyment.

Our last performance for the season was at the Joseph Smith Building on New Year's Eve (3ve). Someone caught us on film and put us on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y29Ay3oVGqI&feature=player_embedded

I am on the second row, third ringer in from the right. It was a fun night. We are now preparing for a "Ring In" on March 13 in Ogden. I love it, love it, love it.