Auditions
Audition Criteria
Scoring:
- Handbell Notation Familiarity (10%)
- Ringers are scored on both the recognition and demonstration of handbell notation.
- Both common and uncommon techniques are used.
- Rhythm Exercises (20%)
- Ringers are asked to sight read several rhythms using one or two bells.
- Multiple Bell/Switching Exercises (20%)
- Ringers are asked to sight read several rhythms using more than one bell.
- Exercises use bells that might not typically be assigned to one ringer.
- Group Sight Reading (20%)
- Pieces of various difficulty levels are read by the entire auditioning group together.
- Assignments will change on each piece, giving each ringer an opportunity to ring their preferred position and other positions to demonstrate flexability.
- Form (10%)
- Ringers are scored on their handbell ringing form, as demonstrated in sections 1 - 4 above.
- Commitment (20%)
- Each ringer is individually interviewed. The discussion covers the general commitment expected as a member of the Philadelphia Bronze, specific requirements for the upcoming year, other outside group involvement, financial commitment, etc.
Other Points:
- No preference is given to the director's known ringers.
- The entire process is video recorded for scoring that cannot be completed that evening. This is especially useful for the Group Sight Reading (Scoring item #4 above).
- The intent of the audition is to find the most qualified and committed handbell ringers for the upcoming season. It is also important that the group have adequate coverage for all 5 octaves (low bass ringers, experienced shelly/4IH ringers, etc.).
- Ringers are scored on both the recognition and demonstration of handbell notation.
- Both common and uncommon techniques are used.
- Ringers are asked to sight read several rhythms using one or two bells.
- Ringers are asked to sight read several rhythms using more than one bell.
- Exercises use bells that might not typically be assigned to one ringer.
- Pieces of various difficulty levels are read by the entire auditioning group together.
- Assignments will change on each piece, giving each ringer an opportunity to ring their preferred position and other positions to demonstrate flexability.
- Ringers are scored on their handbell ringing form, as demonstrated in sections 1 - 4 above.
- Each ringer is individually interviewed. The discussion covers the general commitment expected as a member of the Philadelphia Bronze, specific requirements for the upcoming year, other outside group involvement, financial commitment, etc.
- No preference is given to the director's known ringers.
- The entire process is video recorded for scoring that cannot be completed that evening. This is especially useful for the Group Sight Reading (Scoring item #4 above).
- The intent of the audition is to find the most qualified and committed handbell ringers for the upcoming season. It is also important that the group have adequate coverage for all 5 octaves (low bass ringers, experienced shelly/4IH ringers, etc.).
