| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Leader: |
Patricia
|
| Group email: | Handchimes group |
| When: | On Friday afternoons 1:30 pm-3:30 pm Every Friday apart from the last Friday in the month |
| Venue: | Lester Drive Centre |
| Cost: | £2 |
Handchimes work rather like hand-bells, but have a softer and more mellow sound. We would like to expand our team by one or two more members. Are you a music reader looking for a new challenge? All instruments are provided.
Three of our members have written about their experience of being a member of this group and about how it makes them feel making this very special music.
Concert for the the Ladies Thursday Fellowship at Christ Church, Eccleston.
Patricia - “Fourteen years ago, St Helens u3a Handchimes Team was formed. Unlike many other amateur music making groups, each member is a soloist - if one is missing there is a gap in the musical texture. We have been sad to lose some members over the years due to the vicissitudes of life but were very pleased to recruit 3 new music reading members in the last 2-3 years. We have now adopted a new uniform and are performing again - recently we gave a recital to a women's group in Eccleston and soon we will be playing at Rufford Old Hall".
Sheila - “About fourteen years ago word of a new group within St Helens u3a got about. Always tempted by anything to do with music, I registered my interest and eventually arrived at the first meeting of the Hand Chimes Group. There were just enough of us there to venture into learning how these metal bars of varying sizes produced such beautiful music. We were a mixed bunch at the outset, in that some of us could read music, some had an idea and others were new to it. Patricia had her hands full! However, it wasn’t long before we were organised into the technique of playing together and making a pleasing sound, which has grown substantially over the years to what we are today. Four of us remain from the early days of the Group, with others joining over the years. We all love our Friday afternoons, characterised by the production of pure, mellow tones that feel both calming and uplifting.”
Monica - “This was my first ‘official’ concert, and what a night we had. I joined the group about 3 years ago. Having seen the Chimes perform at one of our Town Hall Christmas concerts. I fell in love with the sound and contacted Patricia to enquire about joining. It has been a steep learning curve for me, but being part of the group and making the lovely music we make has given me a lot of pleasure and satisfaction. I don’t always get it right, but everyone, especially Patricia, is supportive, patient and encouraging. It has been fun getting to know everyone and really satisfying to begin to master a new skill.”