2019 College Ring-In Scholarship Winner, Jeremy Mattson
The Houston Bronze Ensemble College Ring-In Scholarship for 2019 was awarded to Jeremy Mattson. The event took place on January 6-8, 2019 in Bloomington, Minnesota (near Minneapolis). Jeremy currently rings with Concordia's 'Tintinnabula' and directs a children's bell choir and 'Jubilation' at Atonement Lutheran in Fargo, ND. Jeremy was our first scholarship winner to take advantage of the "unpublished music reading session". He was able to hear one of his pieces performed and received comments from his piers and from published composers. Part of the requirements of the scholarship was that Jeremy post pictures on the HBE Facebook page and then share with us what he learned and will take back to his own handbell experience. Below are some pictures from the event and Jeremy's summary of the event and what he learned. Congratulations, Jeremy, and best of luck in all of your future handbell endeavors. We know we will be hearing more about you in the future!
In Jeremy's words:
"My experience at the college ring-in was more than I was expecting it to be. I was able to meet so many new people and connect with the handbell community. At first, I was unsure about what it would be like to play with a new group. But whenever uncertainty came, it was matched with the grace of my peers and being welcomed into a community of wonderful musicians and people.
The ring-in gave me a look into the possibilities I could pursue within the handbell world. I have been composing and arranging for a few years now, but I never imagined the possibility of following that passion beyond just doing it for fun. Having one of my pieces played in the unpublished reading session helped me see that people (especially college students) enjoy my style of music making and that gives me fuel to keep digging deeper into composition to see what comes out the other side. Whether it becomes a career or just a few pieces here and there, I know that things I (and everyone who choose to create art) have value despite their experience or lack there of. Likewise, I loved seeing the other students bring their pieces and enjoying their creations from the performance perspective. Performing something unique and never before read is a cool feeling and a great experience.
Lastly, this ring-in helped me on my journey to become a better music educator. Carolynne Mathis was my handbell director in church from 4th to 12th grade. I was lucky to have a great teacher from the beginning and to have good practices instilled in my habits. Playing under Carolynne's direction again after a few years studying education has connected the dots from theory to practice. I am looking forward to bringing all I've learned back to Moorhead (MN) with me to share with my bell choirs and help form wonderful musicians and people.
Thank you for the opportunity to attend this event and to help me re-find my passion in music and in handbells. I've always been intrigued with how unique the handbell ensemble is. There are so many moving parts doing their own independent things, yet they are expected to be in sync with the whole ensemble. I believe that being a handbell player by definition makes one a better team player, more confident in their independence, and helps us overcome the fear of asking for help. It takes a crowd to play 7 octaves of bells."
"My experience at the college ring-in was more than I was expecting it to be. I was able to meet so many new people and connect with the handbell community. At first, I was unsure about what it would be like to play with a new group. But whenever uncertainty came, it was matched with the grace of my peers and being welcomed into a community of wonderful musicians and people.
The ring-in gave me a look into the possibilities I could pursue within the handbell world. I have been composing and arranging for a few years now, but I never imagined the possibility of following that passion beyond just doing it for fun. Having one of my pieces played in the unpublished reading session helped me see that people (especially college students) enjoy my style of music making and that gives me fuel to keep digging deeper into composition to see what comes out the other side. Whether it becomes a career or just a few pieces here and there, I know that things I (and everyone who choose to create art) have value despite their experience or lack there of. Likewise, I loved seeing the other students bring their pieces and enjoying their creations from the performance perspective. Performing something unique and never before read is a cool feeling and a great experience.
Lastly, this ring-in helped me on my journey to become a better music educator. Carolynne Mathis was my handbell director in church from 4th to 12th grade. I was lucky to have a great teacher from the beginning and to have good practices instilled in my habits. Playing under Carolynne's direction again after a few years studying education has connected the dots from theory to practice. I am looking forward to bringing all I've learned back to Moorhead (MN) with me to share with my bell choirs and help form wonderful musicians and people.
Thank you for the opportunity to attend this event and to help me re-find my passion in music and in handbells. I've always been intrigued with how unique the handbell ensemble is. There are so many moving parts doing their own independent things, yet they are expected to be in sync with the whole ensemble. I believe that being a handbell player by definition makes one a better team player, more confident in their independence, and helps us overcome the fear of asking for help. It takes a crowd to play 7 octaves of bells."
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