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The Houston Bronze Ensemble,
Inc. |
About UsThe Houston Bronze Ensemble is a professional, auditioned, handbell ensemble comprised of musicians from the greater Houston area. The ensemble was founded in the fall of 1988 by Hart Morris, formerly the Director of Music Ministries at Grace Presbyterian Church in Houston. After Hart moved to Memphis, Tennessee, the ensemble rang under the musical direction of arranger and composer Margaret (Maggi) R. Tucker until 1993. During the 1994 season, the group rang ensemble style with various ringers directing the ensemble. David VanderMeer served as conductor from the fall of 1996 to the spring of 2001. Dolan Bayless directed the ensemble from the fall of 2001 through January 2006. Sondra Tucker conducted the ensemble from January 2006 – June 2006. Ben Harris was appointed Musical Director in July 2006 and served through July 2010. Ruth Seiwell currently serves as the Musical Director, appointed by the HBE board in August of 2010. The goal of the Houston Bronze Ensemble is to bring a distinctive level of expertise and artistry of English Handbell Ringing through concerts and educational venues. The Houston Bronze Ensemble has played annual Christmas and Spring Concerts in the greater Houston area; weddings, various parties, and Music Conferences. In the summer of 1999, HBE was the featured Concert Choir to open the 1999 AGEHR (American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc.) Western National Handbell Festival Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. HBE performed a showcase concert at Pinacle 2000 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and were the featured performers at the PAM (Presbyterian Association of Musicians) Conference on Worship and Music in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in July of 2000. HBE performed the opening night concert for Pinnacle 2002, held in Orlando, Florida, in January, 2002. The Ensemble also held a workshop and was featured in concert at Texas Conference Choir Clinic on June 3, 2002. Houston Bronze Ensemble also had the privilege of performing the showcase concert at the AGEHR Area IX festival in June of 2006 in Oklahoma City Oklahoma and rang concerts at locations throughout Oklahoma on this 2006 tour. The year 2008 brought another tour, performing for audiences in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. A highlight of 2010 was performing a concert a Pinnacle 2010, an AGEHR National Event, in Nashville, Tennessee. Plans for 2011 include participation in Texas Bronzefest to be held in Waco, Texas, and a concert performance at Summit 2012, a Handbell Musicians of America Area 9 event to be held in June 2011 in Conroe, Texas. |