Madison Area Concert Handbells (MACH) is beginning its thirteenth 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 Mark Bloedow, MACH's music director. The group was founded in 1997 by Dr. Susan Udell, Music Director Emeritus.
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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, Middleton, 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.
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 at 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 Shawn Ray, MACH Executive Director, at execdir@madisonhandbells.org. Thank You!MACH is grateful for financial support from the following foundations, businesses, and government entities: Alliant Energy Foundation, Anchor Bank, Arthur W. Strelow Charitable Trust, Courtier Foundation, Cummings Christensen Family Foundation, The Gialamas Company, Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Foundation, Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission, Evjue Foundation, M & I Bank, Norman Bassett Foundation, Research Products Corporation, Springs Window Fashions, Steinhauer Charitable Trust, Thompson Investment Management, Wahlin Foundation, WISC-TV, and the Wisconsin Arts Board. In addition, we are deeply appreciative of the many donations we have received from individuals. We could not continue to provide entertaining and educational handbell programs without your support! THANK YOU! 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 experienced 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 Mark Bloedow, Music Director, at musicdir@madisonhandbells.org. Please note: Ringers who join MACH are encouraged to continue ringing with their current handbell choirs. Officers: David Crowcroft, President (pres@madisonhandbells.org) Board of Directors: Dianne Christensen Staff:Mark Bloedow, Music Director (musicdir@madisonhandbells.org) |
