The Houston Bronze Ensemble is a professional, auditioned, handbell ensemble made up of musicians from the greater Houston area. Known as Houston’s premier handbell choir, the ensemble performs regular concerts in the winter and spring as well as community, regional, and national events, weddings, and private parties. The group plays a wide variety of musical genres, always with the goal of excellence.
Founded in 1988, Houston Bronze Ensemble was started as an avenue for Houston area handbell directors to have a place to ring. A lunchtime meeting with only a napkin to write the names of those who might be interested is what started it all. The rest, as they say, is history.
While we have a long history, Houston Bronze also recognizes the importance of building the future of handbell ringing. We offer a variety of educational opportunities designed to meet the unique needs of churches and schools who wish to build or improve their handbell programs. Workshops designed to meet specific needs, mini concerts, and petting zoos are a sample of what we provide to the Houston area handbell community.
Whether it’s through a concert, playing at your wedding, party, or private or community event, conducting a workshop for your ensemble, or presenting an educational program for your school, we would love to share our art with you! Please look through the website for more information about our group and what we offer and then contact us at [email protected] or [email protected] . We look forward to working with you to provide handbell excellence to meet your needs!
Houston Bronze is a member of Handbell Musicians of America, Area 9
Founded in 1988, Houston Bronze Ensemble was started as an avenue for Houston area handbell directors to have a place to ring. A lunchtime meeting with only a napkin to write the names of those who might be interested is what started it all. The rest, as they say, is history.
While we have a long history, Houston Bronze also recognizes the importance of building the future of handbell ringing. We offer a variety of educational opportunities designed to meet the unique needs of churches and schools who wish to build or improve their handbell programs. Workshops designed to meet specific needs, mini concerts, and petting zoos are a sample of what we provide to the Houston area handbell community.
Whether it’s through a concert, playing at your wedding, party, or private or community event, conducting a workshop for your ensemble, or presenting an educational program for your school, we would love to share our art with you! Please look through the website for more information about our group and what we offer and then contact us at [email protected] or [email protected] . We look forward to working with you to provide handbell excellence to meet your needs!
Houston Bronze is a member of Handbell Musicians of America, Area 9
Meet the crew.
We hope to meet you soon.
Bill Nave is the artistic director of Houston Bronze. He accepted the position in August, 2014.
Bill is a lifelong music educator whose experience ranges from directing high school marching bands to leading community and church handbell groups. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Education degrees from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK. He earned a Master of Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX.
Bill taught band, choir and music at elementary, intermediate and high school levels. For the past 15 years, he worked as a music specialist using the Orff approach at Briargrove Elementary. In addition to his public school experience, Bill has been active in church and community groups. At Houston Baptist University, he was an adjunct professor of music education and handbell pedagogy, and he directed the University Bells. He was handbell director for many years at South Main Baptist and St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Houston. He has presented workshops for bell choirs in the Houston area, The Greater Houston Handbell Association, Texas Choral Directors Association convention in San Antonio, TX and the Handbell Musicians of America, Area 9 workshop in Conroe, TX. In 2008, he co-founded Bayou City Bells, where he served as director for the past six years.
He has been named “Teacher of the Year” twice at Briargrove Elementary in Houston and once at Decker Prairie Elementary School in Tomball, TX. He has twice served as President of the Texas Gulf Coast Orff Association and is an active member of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Texas Music Educator’s Association and Handbell Musicians of America.
In his spare time, Bill likes to garden, play the guitar and mandolin, listen to a variety of music, travel, and go hiking in the mountains.
Bill is a lifelong music educator whose experience ranges from directing high school marching bands to leading community and church handbell groups. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Education degrees from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK. He earned a Master of Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX.
Bill taught band, choir and music at elementary, intermediate and high school levels. For the past 15 years, he worked as a music specialist using the Orff approach at Briargrove Elementary. In addition to his public school experience, Bill has been active in church and community groups. At Houston Baptist University, he was an adjunct professor of music education and handbell pedagogy, and he directed the University Bells. He was handbell director for many years at South Main Baptist and St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Houston. He has presented workshops for bell choirs in the Houston area, The Greater Houston Handbell Association, Texas Choral Directors Association convention in San Antonio, TX and the Handbell Musicians of America, Area 9 workshop in Conroe, TX. In 2008, he co-founded Bayou City Bells, where he served as director for the past six years.
He has been named “Teacher of the Year” twice at Briargrove Elementary in Houston and once at Decker Prairie Elementary School in Tomball, TX. He has twice served as President of the Texas Gulf Coast Orff Association and is an active member of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Texas Music Educator’s Association and Handbell Musicians of America.
In his spare time, Bill likes to garden, play the guitar and mandolin, listen to a variety of music, travel, and go hiking in the mountains.
Houston Bronze Board Members, 2019
Lorna Noack, President
Amy Haller, Vice President
Linda Ellison, Secretary
Wilson Van Tine, Treasurer
Jimmy Clark, Member at Large
Bill Brusick, Nonringing Member
Mary Voigt, Nonringing Member
Ringing Members of the Houston Bronze Ensemble
The ensemble has cumulatively 400+ years of ringing bells.
Kathy Beaird is a native Aggie and USAF brat who is very active in her International School Bangkok alumni group. Most of her childhood was spent on the beautiful beaches of Ft Walton Beach/Destin, FL prior to her family living in exotic Thailand for two years. She began ringing handbells in 1989 and is a member of Jubilation Ringers at Clear Lake UMC, where she also sings in the Sanctuary Choir. After 21 years as a Special Education professional Kathy now works as a pet sitter in the Clear Lake area and is the human mom to pups Gracie Lou Freebush, Mabel and Eddie. In those rare moments of unscheduled time Kathy enjoys tending her flower garden and reading.
Penny Brehany-Wellman graduated from TCU with a BME and BM (Clarinet Performance), and a MM from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. She was introduced to handbells while at TCU and drawn to their magic ever since! After starting her career as a clarinetist with the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra, she moved to The Woodlands with the love of her life, Paul, indulging in the opportunity to play hammered dulcimer and tour Ireland with the group "Strings 'N Things". In 1996 she joined Jubilation Handbells at CCUM in The Woodlands, where she still joyfully rings. A homeschool mom of 19+ years, Penny continues to collaborate with sons Kaelan (currently at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, AZ) and Keiran (7th grade) in their piano/violin studies. Leisure activities include an almost daily 2 mile swim and ongoing training with furkids Izze and Cider for agility/obedience competition.
Jimmy Clark began ringing in 1985 as a surprise to his grandmother after she mentioned how much she enjoyed hearing handbells in church. He is a recent graduate of Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with a PhD in information systems. He also earned an MBA from the University of Houston Clear Lake and a BBA in finance with a computer science minor from Sam Houston State University. Jimmy is currently the Executive Director of Academic Technologies at Baylor College of Medicine and serves on the HBE board.
Jerry Conry graduated from East Texas State University with a degree in Music Education and later returned to obtain a Master's in Business Administration. Jerry lived and worked in the United Kingdom for 7 years, where he rang with the Hamilton Ringers who represented the UK in the opening ceremony of the International Handbell Symposium, performed at the Victoria and Albert Museum and appeared numerous times on BBC television. He works as a Supervisory Contract Specialist for the Department of Defense. Jerry and husband Franki live in the Heights with their dogs Razzie, who has no plans to attend college despite excellent marks in obedience school, and Ty, who flunked out of obedience school.
DruEllen Duncan has been ringing bells off and on for about thirty years. She directs the FUMC Pearland Joyful Noise Children's Handbell Choir and the Allegro Ringers Youth Handbell Choir. For her real job, she is a teacher with Pearland ISD. She and Tim, her husband, are the proud parents of two sons. Her eldest, Will, is starting his junior year of college this fall, and her youngest< Robert, is starting junior high school. Their furry children, Steve and Blu, are both rescued dogs, and they definitely keep everyone entertained. DruEllen and Tim are involved with the Houston Bay Area Emmaus community and enjoy watching super hero shows with their sons.
Linda Ellison graduated from The University of Texas in Austin with a Bachelor of Music. She retired from Alief Independent School District where she taught elementary and intermediate school music and private flute lessons. Linda and husband, Bob, have three grown children-Jennifer and Brian in Seattle and Amanda in Houston. She loves spending time in her garden and with her precious grandchildren, Boden, Celia, Nola and Grady. She currently serves as Secretary on the board of HBE. She is a regular participant at Distinctly Bronze East, a mass ringing event sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America and has participated in Virtuoso, an event sponsored by Raleigh Ringers in North Carolina.
Amy Haller was born and raised in the Denver area and still calls Colorado home, even after living in Texas for 25 years. Her daughter, Sarah, is a graduate of the University of Alaska with a degree in biology. Her son, Chris, is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in mechanical engineering. Dodger, a golden retriever of indeterminate occupation, still lives at home. Amy has been ringing handbells since 1991 and plans to continue as long as age and infirmity allow. Amy serves as Vice President on the HBE board.
Ben Harris has been "addicted" to handbells since 1980! Ben graduated from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota with Elementary Education and Director of Christian Education degrees. He later completed a Master of Music degree in organ performance from Rice University in Houston. He currently is a Project Manager for HP Inc in Houston and volunteers as a handbell director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring. Ben and his wife, Marge, have two children and two wonderful grandchildren.
J. Marvin Havard was introduced to handbells in 1984 and has been ringing or directing handbells almost every year since. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Delta State University (Cleveland, MS) with a focus in choral music and piano. He has served as organist and choir director at churches in Mississippi, Missouri, and Minnesota. After receiving his Master of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary (Dubuque, IA), Marvin was ordained as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and began serving as pastor of Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston in April 2017. He is an avid reader and is always looking for the next great sci-fi/fantasy novel.
Lorna Noack grew up on a farm in northern Illinois and after 36 years in Texas, still misses four distinct seasons. After graduating from Concordia University Nebraska in 1983 with a B.S. in Elementary/Special Education, she moved to Texas for her first teaching position and was introduced to handbells for the first time. Lorna currently rings in the Jubilate Deo handbell choir at Trinity Lutheran Church—Klein. She is happily married to Ken, is the proud mom of Kristin, Kyle, and Bethany (all Aggies—whoop!), and is thoroughly enjoying her role as grandma. Lorna is the president of the HBE Board.
Cindy Robinson earned her Music Education/Vocal Performance degree at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, then fell in love with handbells in 1983, beginning in a four-in-hand ensemble before joining the traditional handbell choir at Houston’s First Baptist Church. She has been on staff at Houston’s First for 38 years, serving as Director of Human Resources. She and her husband Ricky share five amazing children, six absolutely perfect grandchildren and their newest obsession, a pocket beagle named Cooper. Over the years, she has been blessed with the opportunity to share her music on mission trips around the world, singing and ringing thus far in over thirty countries on six continents.
Michelle Shuman began playing bells in 1983 as part of the Bernadine Bell Choir in Garden City, KS then spent four years with the Rhapsody Ringers under Joan Shull in Manhattan, KS. She took a handbell break during medical school and residency before joining Houston Bronze Ensemble in 2001. Michelle visits Honduras yearly for medical mission trips, is a fanatical Kansas State Wildcat fan, loves to travel and shares her house with a 3-legged cat, Ivan, and his feline partner in mischief, Pasha. She spends her free-time sleeping.
LeAnn Tromanhauser was born and raised in Iowa. While growing up there she played piano in the junior high and high school jazz band and played clarinet from 5th grade through high school. Her high school marching band was chosen to march in the Orange Bowl parade in 1973. She made the big move to Texas in 1982 where she raised her family of 4 girls and 2 boys. In 1993 when her current church got a set of handbells, she started ringing and hasn't stopped since. She has a real passion for ringing handbells and has rung in 2 other community choirs.
Today along with her passion for ringing, she works for a local bank where she volunteers with their charitable foundation. She has also been involved in the Woodlands Lion's Club and volunteering for the past 14 years. Her other two passions are her 3 Standard Schnauzers which has led to her involvement in AKC conformation and other dog sports. Her biggest passion is spending time with her 7 grandchildren. They are the joy of her life and she cannot wait for retirement so she can spend even more time with them.
Today along with her passion for ringing, she works for a local bank where she volunteers with their charitable foundation. She has also been involved in the Woodlands Lion's Club and volunteering for the past 14 years. Her other two passions are her 3 Standard Schnauzers which has led to her involvement in AKC conformation and other dog sports. Her biggest passion is spending time with her 7 grandchildren. They are the joy of her life and she cannot wait for retirement so she can spend even more time with them.
Wilson Van Tine works for Phillips 66 as the Manager of Audit Services. Besides ringing with Houston Bronze, Wilson also rings with Memorial Drive United Methodist Church and as a solo ringer. Wilson serves as treasurer on the board of Houston Bronze. Wilson lives with his two dogs Rocco and Splinter.
Cloud Wang is originally from Taiwan. She began playing the piano when she was just 6 years old. Her musical journey includes playing the recorder, piano, accordion, percussion, pipe organ, handbell and carillon. Influenced by jazz vibraphone virtuoso Gary Burton, she decided to come to the United States. She was awarded a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where she studied jazz vibraphone, percussion, and jazz composition. In 2010, she received the second prize for vibraphone in the Italy Percussion Competition.
Cloud began playing handbells in 2014 at Suncrest UMC Handbell choir in Morgantown, WV. She studied solo ringing with Donna Kinsey. Bells makes her feel God’s love and joy! As a bell enthusiast, her handbell experiences include the following: solo ringing concerts in WV, PA and FL area; received scholarship to 2016 National Handbell Seminar; member of Ring Pittsburgh ensemble; participated in handbell festivals in FL, OH, PA, NJ areas; participated in the Big Ring (hosted by The Army Salvation and The Handbell Musicians of America where 664 ringers met at The Mall of America in Bloomington, MN to break the Guinness World Record becoming the largest handbell ensemble in the world). She is now an active member in Handbell Musicians of America Area 9.
Cloud lives in Houston, TX as a freelance musician. As a new resident, she loves the city life here. Her former church position was the interim music director and organist at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church in Temple Terrace, FL. She played carillon at Church of Accession Episcopal Church in Clearwater, FL and served as guest accompanist and handbell ringer in various churches. She also taught piano and percussion in several music studios in the Tampa area.
Besides music, she enjoys cooking, traveling and playing LEGOS when she is off the work.
Cloud began playing handbells in 2014 at Suncrest UMC Handbell choir in Morgantown, WV. She studied solo ringing with Donna Kinsey. Bells makes her feel God’s love and joy! As a bell enthusiast, her handbell experiences include the following: solo ringing concerts in WV, PA and FL area; received scholarship to 2016 National Handbell Seminar; member of Ring Pittsburgh ensemble; participated in handbell festivals in FL, OH, PA, NJ areas; participated in the Big Ring (hosted by The Army Salvation and The Handbell Musicians of America where 664 ringers met at The Mall of America in Bloomington, MN to break the Guinness World Record becoming the largest handbell ensemble in the world). She is now an active member in Handbell Musicians of America Area 9.
Cloud lives in Houston, TX as a freelance musician. As a new resident, she loves the city life here. Her former church position was the interim music director and organist at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church in Temple Terrace, FL. She played carillon at Church of Accession Episcopal Church in Clearwater, FL and served as guest accompanist and handbell ringer in various churches. She also taught piano and percussion in several music studios in the Tampa area.
Besides music, she enjoys cooking, traveling and playing LEGOS when she is off the work.
Houston Bronze From Past to Present
Click here to see the names of all Houston Bronze Members from 1989 - Present
Non Ringing Board Members
Bill Brusick joined the HBE Board of Directors in September of 2012. Dr. Bill was installed as the Minister of Music at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring, TX, in 2007, where Houston Bronze has had the pleasure of ringing on a concert series for several years. He serves as organist/ pianist, choir director and overseer of the Music programs for Trinity Lutheran's church and school.
Dr. Brusick is a noted composer and arranger of both sacred and secular music with over 100 cataloged works for orchestra, band, chamber ensembles, solo instruments and chorus. In 2014 Houston Bronze commissioned Dr. Brusick's first handbell composition, "Selah" which debuted at HBE's 25th Anniversary Gala on May 3, 2014. It was also performed at Pinnacle, a national handbell conference, held in Dallas in the summer of 2015.
Dr. Brusick is a noted composer and arranger of both sacred and secular music with over 100 cataloged works for orchestra, band, chamber ensembles, solo instruments and chorus. In 2014 Houston Bronze commissioned Dr. Brusick's first handbell composition, "Selah" which debuted at HBE's 25th Anniversary Gala on May 3, 2014. It was also performed at Pinnacle, a national handbell conference, held in Dallas in the summer of 2015.
Mary Voigt joined the HBE Board of Directors in August, 2016. She currently serves as the Interim Director of Worship and Music at Trinity Lutheran Church, downtown Houston after spending 16 years as Director of Worship, Music and the Arts at Gloria Dei Lutheran in Nassau Bay, TX. At Trinity she directs choir, handbells, brass ensemble and seasonal orchestras. Mary's undergraduate degree is from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa and she also holds an MBA from the University of Houston. Before transitioning to music ministry, she spent 15 years working in hospital management. In her spare time, Mary has sung with the Houston Symphony Chorus for over 15 years and also sings with a choral ensemble, the Houston Camerata. Mary and her husband, Bob, had two daughters and five wonderful grandchildren.
HBE Equipment and Accoutrement
(We couldn't do it without you!)
Houston Bronze Ensemble makes a wide variety of meaningful music with 7-octaves of Schulmerich Handbells, 6-octaves of Malmark Handchimes, 2 octaves of Schulmerich Silver Melody Bells, 1 octave of Malmark Cymbells, 2+octaves of Petit and Fritsen Bells, a 3+ octave set of Schulmerich bells for duplicates, 54-feet of tables, 54-feet of 4" thick foam padding, a gazillion yards of corduroy table covers (hand-made by our own Lorna Noack), 14 singing bell dowels, 2 rolling bass bell racks, 52 mallets of varying sizes and styles, 18 sets of battery-operated stand lights, 3 extra music folders for rehearsal substitute ringers, 6 collapsible Manhasset music stands, 19 rolling bell and chime cases, 1 triangle, 1 pair of castanets, 1 wind chime, 1 pair of finger cymbals, 1 big can of Simichrome bell polish, dozens of polishing cloths, and 1 very important box of tools.
We are occasionally joined by fabulous instrumental soloists, talented choral ensembles and vocal soloists, and once even a pair of ballroom dancers.
We are occasionally joined by fabulous instrumental soloists, talented choral ensembles and vocal soloists, and once even a pair of ballroom dancers.
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Past Artistic Directors of The Houston Bronze Ensemble
Hart Morris 1988-1989
Hart Morris has been Minister of Music at Asbury United Methodist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma, since August 1992. He has served in the same capacity for churches in Florida, Texas and Tennessee. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, Oklahoma (B.M., Church Music/Voice), and the University of Houston, Houston, Texas (M.M., Choral Conducting), with additional studies in percussion at Oklahoma City University and the University of Houston. He was named a Distinguished Alumni in 2004, and Distinguished Music Alumni, 2005, by Oklahoma Baptist University. He has served as a clinician for AGEHR National Seminars and Festivals, and has led numerous AGEHR Conferences and workshops; he has twice served as AGEHR conductor for International Handbell Symposia. He is a published composer / arranger of handbell and choral music.
Hart Morris has been Minister of Music at Asbury United Methodist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma, since August 1992. He has served in the same capacity for churches in Florida, Texas and Tennessee. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, Oklahoma (B.M., Church Music/Voice), and the University of Houston, Houston, Texas (M.M., Choral Conducting), with additional studies in percussion at Oklahoma City University and the University of Houston. He was named a Distinguished Alumni in 2004, and Distinguished Music Alumni, 2005, by Oklahoma Baptist University. He has served as a clinician for AGEHR National Seminars and Festivals, and has led numerous AGEHR Conferences and workshops; he has twice served as AGEHR conductor for International Handbell Symposia. He is a published composer / arranger of handbell and choral music.
Margaret Tucker 1989-1994
Margaret R. Tucker is a native of South Dakota where she attended Yankton College. She received the Bachelor of Music degree in organ from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. In addition, she holds masters degrees in cultural anthropology and choral conducting from the University of Houston. She has served as church organist and/or choir director in Chicago, Illinois; Owatonna, Minnesota; and Houston, Texas; taught music in United Church of Christ mission schools in Turkey; and was one of the first Commissioned Ministers of Music in the UCC.
Margaret has more than forty handbell and children's choir pieces in print from fifteen publishing houses. Her handbell compositions have won both national and area composition contents. She has served as conductor/clinician for local, area and national handbell festivals and seminars. In 1992 she was festival director for the Handbell Ringers of Japan and in 1996 was one of the directors of the International Handbell Symposium.
She retired after serving First Congregational Church (UCC), Houston, Texas, as Minister of Music for twenty years. She is a member of The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (has served as national Music Chairman), The Greater Houston Handbell Association (has served as president), Choristers Guild (has served as local chapter president) and The American Guild of Organists. She directed the Houston Bronze Ensemble, an auditioned handbell choir, for over four years.
Margaret is married to the Reverend Robert H. Tucker. They have three grown children and two grandsons.
Margaret R. Tucker is a native of South Dakota where she attended Yankton College. She received the Bachelor of Music degree in organ from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. In addition, she holds masters degrees in cultural anthropology and choral conducting from the University of Houston. She has served as church organist and/or choir director in Chicago, Illinois; Owatonna, Minnesota; and Houston, Texas; taught music in United Church of Christ mission schools in Turkey; and was one of the first Commissioned Ministers of Music in the UCC.
Margaret has more than forty handbell and children's choir pieces in print from fifteen publishing houses. Her handbell compositions have won both national and area composition contents. She has served as conductor/clinician for local, area and national handbell festivals and seminars. In 1992 she was festival director for the Handbell Ringers of Japan and in 1996 was one of the directors of the International Handbell Symposium.
She retired after serving First Congregational Church (UCC), Houston, Texas, as Minister of Music for twenty years. She is a member of The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (has served as national Music Chairman), The Greater Houston Handbell Association (has served as president), Choristers Guild (has served as local chapter president) and The American Guild of Organists. She directed the Houston Bronze Ensemble, an auditioned handbell choir, for over four years.
Margaret is married to the Reverend Robert H. Tucker. They have three grown children and two grandsons.
David VanderMeer 1996-2001
David VanderMeer has been the Director of Music and Fine Arts Ministries at the downtown historic Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia since 2001. Central celebrated its 156th year in February of 2014. He conducts three handbell choirs and the college-age/adult Chancel Choir and oversees the graded choir program and supervises a music staff of four other musicians. David is a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. He is currently pursuing a degree, Master of Arts in Practical Theology (Worship Concentration from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA (suburb of Atlanta).
David has been the Conference Director twice for the PAM Mo-Ranch Worship and Music Conference in Hunt, Texas; the 2000 Conference Director for the Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM) West Worship and Music Conference in Albuquerque, NM; and the Conference Director for the PAM 2008 Montreat Worship and Music Conferences in Montreat, NC. He will return as the Conference Director for the PAM Mo-Ranch Conference on Worship and Music in 2016. David served a six year term on the National Board of Directors of The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc., now called Handbell Musicians of America. He continues to teach handbells and handchimes on the local, area, and national levels for HMA and PAM events.
David was the Minister of Music at Northwoods Presbyterian Church, Houston, from 1989-2001. He served three churches over twenty years while in Texas (Port Arthur, Amarillo, and Houston). David was a ringer with the Houston Bronze Ensemble before becoming the Musical Director of the Houston Bronze Ensemble, Inc. from 1996-2001.David is a member of the Hymn Society of America and Canada, Choristers Guild, National Music Educators Association,American Choral Directors Association, American Guild of Organists, Handbell Musicians of America, Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA), and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM).
David VanderMeer has been the Director of Music and Fine Arts Ministries at the downtown historic Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia since 2001. Central celebrated its 156th year in February of 2014. He conducts three handbell choirs and the college-age/adult Chancel Choir and oversees the graded choir program and supervises a music staff of four other musicians. David is a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. He is currently pursuing a degree, Master of Arts in Practical Theology (Worship Concentration from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA (suburb of Atlanta).
David has been the Conference Director twice for the PAM Mo-Ranch Worship and Music Conference in Hunt, Texas; the 2000 Conference Director for the Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM) West Worship and Music Conference in Albuquerque, NM; and the Conference Director for the PAM 2008 Montreat Worship and Music Conferences in Montreat, NC. He will return as the Conference Director for the PAM Mo-Ranch Conference on Worship and Music in 2016. David served a six year term on the National Board of Directors of The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc., now called Handbell Musicians of America. He continues to teach handbells and handchimes on the local, area, and national levels for HMA and PAM events.
David was the Minister of Music at Northwoods Presbyterian Church, Houston, from 1989-2001. He served three churches over twenty years while in Texas (Port Arthur, Amarillo, and Houston). David was a ringer with the Houston Bronze Ensemble before becoming the Musical Director of the Houston Bronze Ensemble, Inc. from 1996-2001.David is a member of the Hymn Society of America and Canada, Choristers Guild, National Music Educators Association,American Choral Directors Association, American Guild of Organists, Handbell Musicians of America, Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA), and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM).
Dolan Bayless 2002-2005
Dolan Bayless is a native of Topeka, Kansas. He holds the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Washburn University in Topeka, and the Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Kansas. Since January 2006, Dolan has been Director of Traditional Worship and Music at the Kirkwood United Methodist Church in suburban St. Louis, Missouri.
Dolan is a long standing member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) serving Area 9 in various offices and as Chair for two years. As a member of Area 8, Dolan is currently the Chair. He served two terms of office on the Board of Directors for the Greater Houston Handbell Association (GHHA). Bayless is also a member of the Board of Directors of theTexas Conference Choir Clinic where he has served as Dean and treasurer/registrar.
As a handbell conductor he has led local festivals in Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri. He has been clinician for workshops at the Texas Conference Choir Clinic, during events sponsored by the Greater Houston Handbell Association and AGEHR Areas 8 and 9, and in various churches throughout Arkansas, Texas Illinois and Oklahoma.
Dolan was musical director and conductor for Houston Bronze Ensemble, a professional auditioned handbell ensemble for more than five years taking this ringing ensemble on their first tour, recording their first compact disc and performing for Pinnacle. Previous to being named as conductor of Houston Bronze Ensemble, Dolan was a ringing member of the
ensemble.
In the St. Louis area, Dolan led and organized a group of handbell directors in forming the Handbell Association of Greater St. Louis that promote educational and festival events for handbell directors and ringers in the metropolitan area. In the fall of 2009, Dolan formed ReBELLion Ensemble, an auditioned community ensemble.
Dolan Bayless is a native of Topeka, Kansas. He holds the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Washburn University in Topeka, and the Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Kansas. Since January 2006, Dolan has been Director of Traditional Worship and Music at the Kirkwood United Methodist Church in suburban St. Louis, Missouri.
Dolan is a long standing member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) serving Area 9 in various offices and as Chair for two years. As a member of Area 8, Dolan is currently the Chair. He served two terms of office on the Board of Directors for the Greater Houston Handbell Association (GHHA). Bayless is also a member of the Board of Directors of theTexas Conference Choir Clinic where he has served as Dean and treasurer/registrar.
As a handbell conductor he has led local festivals in Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri. He has been clinician for workshops at the Texas Conference Choir Clinic, during events sponsored by the Greater Houston Handbell Association and AGEHR Areas 8 and 9, and in various churches throughout Arkansas, Texas Illinois and Oklahoma.
Dolan was musical director and conductor for Houston Bronze Ensemble, a professional auditioned handbell ensemble for more than five years taking this ringing ensemble on their first tour, recording their first compact disc and performing for Pinnacle. Previous to being named as conductor of Houston Bronze Ensemble, Dolan was a ringing member of the
ensemble.
In the St. Louis area, Dolan led and organized a group of handbell directors in forming the Handbell Association of Greater St. Louis that promote educational and festival events for handbell directors and ringers in the metropolitan area. In the fall of 2009, Dolan formed ReBELLion Ensemble, an auditioned community ensemble.
Ben Harris 2006-2010
Ben Harris was appointed conductor and music director for HBE in August 2006. He graduated from Concordia University (St. Paul, MN) with Elementary Education and Director of Christian Education degrees and later earned a Master of Music degree in organ performance from Rice University ( Houston, TX).
Ben began directing handbells in 1980, and his first involvement with AGEHR (now Handbell Musicians of America) was the 1987 Western National Festival in Minneapolis, MN. In 2007, he achieved the AGEHR Level 1 Director Certification “with distinction”.
Ben is a member of the Handbell Musicians of America (HMA), the American Guild of Organists (AGO), the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM), and the Greater Houston Handbell Association (GHHA). He also sings in the Texas Master Chorale, an auditioned semi-professional community chorus based in northwest Houston.
During the day, Ben is a project Manager for Hewlett-Packard Company and volunteers as handbell director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring, TX. Before joining HP, he served as Minister of Music/Organist at various churches in Minnesota and Texas.
Ben Harris was appointed conductor and music director for HBE in August 2006. He graduated from Concordia University (St. Paul, MN) with Elementary Education and Director of Christian Education degrees and later earned a Master of Music degree in organ performance from Rice University ( Houston, TX).
Ben began directing handbells in 1980, and his first involvement with AGEHR (now Handbell Musicians of America) was the 1987 Western National Festival in Minneapolis, MN. In 2007, he achieved the AGEHR Level 1 Director Certification “with distinction”.
Ben is a member of the Handbell Musicians of America (HMA), the American Guild of Organists (AGO), the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM), and the Greater Houston Handbell Association (GHHA). He also sings in the Texas Master Chorale, an auditioned semi-professional community chorus based in northwest Houston.
During the day, Ben is a project Manager for Hewlett-Packard Company and volunteers as handbell director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring, TX. Before joining HP, he served as Minister of Music/Organist at various churches in Minnesota and Texas.
Ruth Seiwell 2010-2012
Ruth Seiwell has had the privilege of working with Houston Bronze Ensemble from both sides of the table. She began ringing with the group in 1999 and then served as Artistic Director from 2010 – 2012. She enjoys both ringing and conducting and has been fortunate to be able to be a part of Houston Bronze in both capacities.
Ruth attended Texas A&M University as an undergraduate and also earned a Master’s degree from North Texas State University. She began her directing career in 1984 at First United Methodist Church in Lake Jackson, Texas. She has had the privilege to work with some of the finest conductors in the world throughout the years and continues to enjoy her association with many of these people through Handbell Musicians of America.
Ruth is currently the Chairman for Handbell Musicians of America Area 9 and also serves as the Handbell Camp Director for Texas Conference Choir Clinic. She has worked as clinician for multiple events sponsored by Area 9, Texas Conference Choir Clinic and the Greater Houston Handbell Association as well as being the clinician forindividual groups throughout Texas and New Mexico. In addition to her work with handbells, Ruth has conducted children’s choral choirs and has also served as director for Adult Choral Ensembles.
Ruth Seiwell has had the privilege of working with Houston Bronze Ensemble from both sides of the table. She began ringing with the group in 1999 and then served as Artistic Director from 2010 – 2012. She enjoys both ringing and conducting and has been fortunate to be able to be a part of Houston Bronze in both capacities.
Ruth attended Texas A&M University as an undergraduate and also earned a Master’s degree from North Texas State University. She began her directing career in 1984 at First United Methodist Church in Lake Jackson, Texas. She has had the privilege to work with some of the finest conductors in the world throughout the years and continues to enjoy her association with many of these people through Handbell Musicians of America.
Ruth is currently the Chairman for Handbell Musicians of America Area 9 and also serves as the Handbell Camp Director for Texas Conference Choir Clinic. She has worked as clinician for multiple events sponsored by Area 9, Texas Conference Choir Clinic and the Greater Houston Handbell Association as well as being the clinician forindividual groups throughout Texas and New Mexico. In addition to her work with handbells, Ruth has conducted children’s choral choirs and has also served as director for Adult Choral Ensembles.
James Roberts 2012-2014
James Roberts became the Artistic Director of Houston Bronze on August 1, 2012. A gifted conductor, performer, and composer, James is known for his innovative and creative concerts which are multi-disciplinary and incorporate diverse groups and genres in unique and thought-provoking ways.
His musical journey started early by learning to play the trumpet in 5th grade which he studied until going to college. There he discovered a passion for singing, earning a Bachelor of Music Degree in vocal performance at Oklahoma City University. This led him to pursue a performance career featuring work with the San Diego Opera, the San Diego Master Chorale, Houston Grand Opera and Cantare Houston.
In the late 90’s, he felt called away from a performance career to pursue a ministry vocation, earning a Masters degree in music at Southeastern Louisiana University focusing on voice and conducting. This eventually led him to Houston where he has since enjoyed a full-time career as a church musician. He is a passionate advocate for artists and music of all types, exploring the myriad ways in which music affects people’s lives.
James is not only passionate about building positive communities and relationships among artists but also increasing people’s interest in the art of ringing handbells. His hope is for current and future generations to come to love handbells and be involved as either a ringer or enthusiastic supporter.
He is currently the Director of Music Ministries at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, handbell director at St. Paul’s United Methodist and serves as president on the board of Greater Houston Handbell Association. He loves his life of music in Houston with his wife and daughters.
James Roberts became the Artistic Director of Houston Bronze on August 1, 2012. A gifted conductor, performer, and composer, James is known for his innovative and creative concerts which are multi-disciplinary and incorporate diverse groups and genres in unique and thought-provoking ways.
His musical journey started early by learning to play the trumpet in 5th grade which he studied until going to college. There he discovered a passion for singing, earning a Bachelor of Music Degree in vocal performance at Oklahoma City University. This led him to pursue a performance career featuring work with the San Diego Opera, the San Diego Master Chorale, Houston Grand Opera and Cantare Houston.
In the late 90’s, he felt called away from a performance career to pursue a ministry vocation, earning a Masters degree in music at Southeastern Louisiana University focusing on voice and conducting. This eventually led him to Houston where he has since enjoyed a full-time career as a church musician. He is a passionate advocate for artists and music of all types, exploring the myriad ways in which music affects people’s lives.
James is not only passionate about building positive communities and relationships among artists but also increasing people’s interest in the art of ringing handbells. His hope is for current and future generations to come to love handbells and be involved as either a ringer or enthusiastic supporter.
He is currently the Director of Music Ministries at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, handbell director at St. Paul’s United Methodist and serves as president on the board of Greater Houston Handbell Association. He loves his life of music in Houston with his wife and daughters.