Madison Area Concert Handbells (MACH) is beginning its twelfth year of musical service to the community and state. This auditioned community choir performs with over six octaves of handbells and seven octaves of handchimes, the largest assemblage of such instruments in Wisconsin. One of the nation's finest handbell choirs, MACH's members share over 250 years of ringing experience and are directed by the choir's founder, Dr. Susan Udell, and Associate Director Mark Bloedow.
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Established as a nonprofit organization in the summer of 1997, MACH has the following objectives:
MACH serves the community in many ways, such as performing on invitation with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and creating special hands-on experiences and concert programs for youth. In the past four years, MACH has taught almost 3000 students to play the handchimes in Madison, Waunakee, Cambridge, DeForest and McFarland schools and then treated them to a concert by the full choir at the Middleton Performing Arts Center, all without charge to the students or their schools. With sufficient support from grants and contributions, this program will be presented for 874 students in 2008-09.
In addition, each year MACH presents several concerts at elderly residences / nursing homes. These interactive programs have been enthusiastically received and appreciated. MACH's ticketed concerts for the general public are given in the December holiday season and in the Spring. To keep the melodious sounds of bells and chimes available all year, the choir sells studio-recorded CDs at concerts and on the MACH web site. MACH rehearses weekly on Mondays and sometimes on weekends in space generously provided by Asbury Church, 6101 University Avenue in Madison. MACH is currently listed with:
MACH is available to perform at weddings, banquets, arts festivals, meetings and other events for a fee. Please contact the music director at 608-271-3514. Auditions - now scheduling!Do you desire to join a fun and talented group of handbell ringers? Are you a director who'd also like to do some ringing? Here's the opportunity you've been waiting for! MACH is seeking a few good ringers. Auditions for new members are held by appointment. Some of the things you can expect to demonstrate at the audition are basic handbell techniques, rhythmic coordination, and sight-reading skills. To set up an appointment to audition for MACH, please contact MACH's music director at 608-271-3514. An important note: MACH has a policy to uphold ringers' commitments to their current handbell choirs; they are encouraged not to leave their choirs to join MACH. For information, contact us at info@madisonhandbells.org Officers: David Crowcroft, President (pres@madisonhandbells.org) Board of Directors: Dianne Christensen Staff:Dr. Susan Udell, Music Director (musicdir@madisonhandbells.org) |
