Virtuoso

Two rows handbell ringers standing behind tables playing bells ranging from the size of a thimble down to a 20" diameter. On top of the image is the logo of a styled V with "Virtuoso, and extraordinary performance experience."

May 30 – June 2, 2024
Dr. William Payn, Guest Conductor

This unique three-and-a-half-day performance event for advanced handbell ringers combines the opportunity to work with Dr. William Payn with a final performance during a concert on a stage at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh, sharing the stage with The Raleigh Ringers. The event is held every other year in the even years.

APPLICATION/AUDITION PROCESS

The application/audition process is now closed for the 2024 event. Selections will be made early in 2024.

ALL Participants Must Submit:

Application & Ringing Position Preference Form by December 1, 2023

First-time Participants Must Also Submit:

Recommendation Forms: Two (or more) recommendation forms must be completed by someone who has directed you or observed your ringing within the past 5 years. Persons recommending you should complete the form online

Performance video:

  • Submit a single five-minute video (two different passages of two-three minutes each) of you ringing with a full choir in rehearsal, performance, or worship within the last 3 years. We cannot accept a solo or ensemble video. 
  • Make sure you can be seen ringing, preferably in a setting with no more than three rows of ringers.
  • Please identify which ringer you are, using any distinguishing characteristics like hair, clothing, or position. (example: I am the third from the left with the green shirt)
  • We will NOT edit or fast forward any videos. The first five minutes of the video you submit will be what is reviewed by the selection committee, so ensure that your five-minute-long video includes 2-3 minutes of two different passages that show you ringing.
  • Submit online:
    • Include a link in your application to an online source (YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, etc). OR
    • Email the link to Virtuoso@rr.org. Please include your name and "Application Video" in the subject line.
    • The link must stay active through February 1, 2024
  • Submit a hard copy:
    • Hard copies of videos should be sent to:  The Raleigh Ringers, Attn: Virtuoso Video, 8516 Sleepy Creek Drive, Raleigh, NC 27613.

If you have any questions about the audition process, please email Virtuoso@rr.org.

Cost

Virtuoso 2024 – $475

The event fee includes:

  • Three-and-a-half days of event activities, including three days of rehearsals/performance with Dr. Payn.
  • All lunches and dinners (Thursday dinner through Sunday lunch) Note: Participants staying at the preferred hotel will also receive complimentary breakfast.
  • Snacks and refreshments at breaks.
  • Transportation to/from airport and all transportation during the event if staying at the preferred hotel. You will not need to rent a car!

Registration does NOT include:

  • Transportation to Raleigh.
  • Hotel accommodations.
  • Music
  • Performance attire for the final concert.

HOTEL

Hampton Inn Raleigh-Capital Blvd. North
3621 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27616

King room: $109/night plus tax
Double queen room: $119/night plus tax
Rates good for 5/29/24-6/2/24

Participants chosen for Virtuoso will be provided with details to book the hotel at the discounted rate.

Scholarship

We have established a scholarship program for those whose financial situation might keep them from applying for Virtuoso. Scholarship applications will be reviewed by an independent committee, and all information is kept confidential from the Virtuoso selection committee until after participants have been identified for Virtuoso. When offered a position, participants will be advised as to any scholarship available.

Past Participants

last name wdt_ID Name Location 2013 2015 2017 2019 2022
Alm 1 Stephanie Alm Lenoir, NC X X X
Barnard 2 Anne Barnard Seattle, WA X
Barnett 3 Patrick Barnett Augusta, GA X
Blanton 4 Michael Blanton Charleston, SC X
Blauch 5 Laura Blauch Mooresville, NC X X X
Boswell 6 Chris Boswell Rochester, MN X X
Brown 7 David Brown Raleigh, NC X X X X X
Carter 8 Jay Carter New Bern, NC X X
Carter 9 Cameron Carter Arlington, VA X
Cerullo 10 Rachel Cerullo North Chelmsford, MA X
Chico 11 Katherine Lamb Chico Land O Lakes, FL X
Christopherson 12 Brian Christopherson Plano, TX X
Christopherson 13 Jeanne Christopherson Plano, TX X
Clayton 14 Allison Clayton Summerville, SC X
Collett 15 Linda Collett Orchard Park, NY X
Daniels 16 Ellen Daniels Apex, NC X X
Dougherty 17 Michael Dougherty High Point, NC X
Dundzilla 18 Mya Dundzila Eliot, ME X X X
Eastburn 19 Karen Eastburn Plano, TX X
Ellison 20 Linda Ellison Katy, TX X
Ethridge 21 Robin Ethridge Seattle, WA X X X X X
Fenton 22 Lori Fenton Des Moines, IA X X X X
Fitzgerald 23 Josh Fitzgerald Arlington, TX X
Fox-Roberts 24 Christine Fox-Roberts Rehoboth Beach, DE X X X
Gaines 25 Meredith Gaines Spring, TX X
Gregory 26 Teri Gregory Gambrills, MD X
Handy 27 Mike Handy Sanford, NC X
Hanson 28 Genevieve Hanson Falls Church, VA X X X
Hicks 29 Wayne Hicks Carrollton, VA X X X X
Johnson 30 Malia Anderson Johnson Woodinville, WA X
Jurado 31 Kathryn Jurado Seffner, FL X X
Keisler 32 Allison Keisler Sherrills Ford, NC X
Kennedy 33 Sarah Kennedy McLean, VA X X X X X
Kindraka 34 Nancy Kindraka Farmington Hills, MI X X X X X
Knoy 35 Ashley Knoy Charlotte, NC X
Kohler 36 Emlee Kohler Hancock, NH X
Kunz 37 Ryan Kunz Centerville, UT X
Lamb 38 Mike Lamb Jupiter, FL X X X X
Lamb 39 Tami Lamb Jupiter, FL X X
Latshaw 40 Pat Latshaw Prairie Village, KS X
Leadbetter 41 Steven Leadbetter Seminole, FL X X X
Lewis 42 Leslie Lewis Gastonia, NC X X X
Lyons 43 Danny Lyons Pensacola, FL X X
Marotta 44 Hillary Marotta Hummelstown, PA X
Mason 45 Glenda Mason King George, VA X X
Mills 46 Lisa Mills Blue Springs, MS X
Minnotte 47 Linda Minnotte Pittsburgh, PA X X X
Murphy, Ma 48 Marcia Murphy Glenmoore, PA X X X X X
Murphy, Da 49 David Murphy Chapel Hill, NC X X
Murray 50 Jennifer Murray Mastic, NY X
Myers 51 Betty Myers Columbia, SC X
Nance 52 Bryce Nance Reno, NV X
Nance 53 Derek Nance Reno, NV X
Olhausen 54 Marcy Olhausen Kennesaw, GA X X X X X
Peterson 55 Tracy Peterson Bennington, NE X X X X
Quick 56 Kevin Quick Allen, TX X
Reese 57 Alan Reese Carrollton, VA X X
Reese 58 Lois Reese Carrolton, VA X
Rowe 59 Cathy Rowe Springfield, IL X
Scott 60 Janeen Scott Spanish Fork, UT X
Seemann 61 Brian Seemann Washington, DC X
Sheffield 62 Sarah Sheffield Indian Trail, NC X X
Stein 63 Amber Stein Summerville, SC X
Swafford 64 Laura Swafford Baltimore, MD X X
Tober 65 Lyn Tober Bellingham, WA X X
Toole 66 Ruthie Toole Newark, DE X
Turner 67 Elaine Turner Gainesville, FL X X X X
Underwood 68 Fran Underwood Burke, VA X
Vandagriff 69 Dena Vandagriff Fairfax, VA X
Vangolen 70 Jennifer Vangolen Seattle, WA X X X
Vaquilar 71 Julie Vaquilar San Francisco, CA X X X
Wilkie 72 Vanessa Wilkie Edmonds, WA X X X
Murphy, Wi 73 William J. Murphy Seffner, FL X X

Event Details

Event Preparation

Upon acceptance, participants are expected to acquire the music and learn their ringing position, working with their stand partner, choir “double,” and section leader. Group rehearsal time is to fine-tune the songs, NOT to learn the music. Ringing positions will be assigned after acceptance into the ensemble. Music will need to be shared with a stand partner for rehearsals and the performance.

Lodging

Participants may stay wherever they would like; however, the preferred hotel provides a discount for event attendees and includes complimentary breakfast. We can also assist with roommate matching for participants who stay at the event hotel.

Transportation

All the transportation for the weekend, including airport shuttles, will be provided to participants staying at the preferred hotel.

Meals

The registration fee includes all lunches and dinners during the event (Thursday dinner through Sunday lunch). The preferred hotel includes complimentary breakfast. Water and light snacks are also included during rehearsals.

Event Schedule

The event begins on Thursday at 4:00pm and goes through Sunday afternoon’s performance (ending at roughly 6:30pm). All rehearsals are mandatory and will be held at Raleigh Ringer Central in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Equipment

All equipment will be provided. Participants will provide their own gloves, music, and anything else they require for rehearsal.

Performance Attire

Performance attire for the final concert is supplied by each participant. For men – black tux, white shirt, black bow tie, black shoes and socks, and black gloves.  For women – black pants or long skirt, black top with long or 3/4 length sleeves and approved neckline, black shoes, and black gloves.

Education

Educational Events

Audience Comments

"The music was beautiful, the entertainment hilarious, and the whole experience was wonderfully worthwhile. We loved it so much we tried to get a flight changed to come hear your concert again!"

- Anonymous Fan

“What skill and diversity of music! I could have listened another three hours! Thank you for the inspiration and entertainment!”

- Anonymous Fan

“I never would have thought I'd want to go to a handbell concert, but when I heard handbell rock ’n’ roll on the radio, I told my friends, ‘We're going!’ And it was just great.”

- Anonymous Fan

"The Raleigh Ringers are the best handbell ensemble on the globe!!!!”

Greg Pysh
Minister of Music and Composer
Midland, Texas

“Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!! They never cease to amaze me. Their playing is so musical, their technique impeccable.”

Cordetta Valthauser
Handbell Soloist
Cleveland Area, Ohio

"Thank you all for being ambassadors of superb musicianship, amazing technique, and sharing the joy of doing something you love, which is contagious.”

Carolann Haley
Assistant to Director of Music Ministries
National Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C.

“The Raleigh Ringers are truly a wonderful instrument. It is a joy to watch how precisely they respond to director David Harris' musical goals, and how audiences respond as well. This group has definitely attained 'handbell superstar' status.”

Jason Tiller
Sonos Handbell Ensemble
San Francisco, CA

“The best part was, in spite of all the amazing things that they can do with bells – the bass ringer assignments, flawless technique, and all of those kind of things – the best part was that it was musical. I simply enjoyed the music.”

Dean Wagner
Associate Director of Music and Organist
First United Methodist Church of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

“...I did not know how good 'good' is in bell ringing until I heard you. It was simply superb, and you must have known that from the unusually enthusiastic response from the audience.”

Ross MacKenzie
Chautauqua Institution
Chautauqua, New York