The audition process is based on six areas:
- Handbell Notation Familiarity (5 percent): Demonstrate different techniques and other notations.
- Rhythm Exercises (20 percent): Demonstrate the ringer's ability to handle challenging rhythms and meters.
- Multiple Bell/Switching Exercises (20 percent): Demonstrate how the ringer handles quick and frequent changes in accidentals.
- Sight-Reading Pieces (30 percent): Group sight-reading of four to five pieces. Ringers change positions two to three times.
- Form (5 percent): Ringing motion and use of techniques.
- Commitment (20 percent): Interview with the director to discuss general commitment expectations, specific requirements for the upcoming year and other outside group involvement.
Auditions are conducted by the director and one or more experienced handbell directors from outside of the group. Each section is scored, and decisions are based on those scores. In addition, the audition is videotaped for review after the session. Since every position in The Raleigh Ringers is open each year, returning members must re-audition yearly. This ensures the best possible group of ringers for the upcoming season.
For information on auditioning, please email Director David Harris.
About Us
Upcoming concerts
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