In celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of its recording, the artistic performance of the 1978 Allegro Handbell Ensemble has been digitally remastered from the original Dolby A reels and is now presented as part of the Allegro Bronze Edition series.
The works include some of the earliest original music written for handbells, and many have never been released on campact disc.
From the Record Jacket
The Allegro Handbell Ensemble, formed in 1967, is composed of fourteen high school age members with four to seven years’ ringing experience. All of them read music and display strong interest in music, and their outside interests are as varied as they. The bell ringers perform with five octaves (61) of Schulmerich bells, made in Sellersville, Pennsylvania.
An integral part of the music program at Union Church of Hinsdale (United Church of Christ), the group also performs for a variety of civic, charitable, educational, and professional organizations, as well as guest apperances at other churches.
They have toured extensively in the United States and Europe, and performed in Canada and New England in June 1981.
The first nine tracks are arrangements of music associated with the Christmas season. The remaining music, with the exception of track 14, consists of original compositions for handbells. The Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin is played directly from the piano score.
About the Director
Additional Information from the Allegro Bronze Edition: Michael B. Surratt became Director of Music and Organist of Union Church in early 1979. A church organist since the age of twelve, he has toured Europe and played organ recitals throughout the Midwest and Southeast and has been featured on several Chicago-area radio stations. Originally from North Carolina, he attended the North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio and a Master of Music from Northwestern University in Illinois.
Mr. Surratt has served as an Adjunct Instructor of Organ at Elmhurst College in Illinois and continues to be active in several professional musical organizations. He writes for Overtones, a handbell industry journal, and serves on the Communications Committee of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
This Allegro Bronze Edition album represents Mr. Surratt’s first recording endeavor with the Allegro Handbell Ensemble, which was recorded studio-style in the sanctuary of Union Church.
The final track, With the Angels, Let Us Sing, was comissioned for the ensemble and is one of Mr. Surratt’s favorite works. This 2009 recording is from Mr. Surratt’s last recording with the ensemble. Carl Wiltse’s original music features the melody from Silent Night during the handchime interlude.
Track List
| Track |
Title |
Time |
Composer, Arranger |
| 1. |
Gloria
|
1:03
|
arr. Francis Legge Calahan
|
| 2. |
Sleigh Ride
|
3:13 |
Leroy Anderson,
arr. Robert Ivey |
| 3. |
Silver Bells
|
2:19
|
Jay Livingston & Ray Evans,
arr. Ralph F. Stiles
|
| 4. |
Deck the Halls
|
1:42
|
Old Welsh Air,
arr. Robert Ivey
|
| 5. |
Greensleeves |
2:57 |
Old English,
arr. Robert Ivey
|
| 6. |
Carol of the Bells
|
2:12 |
Mykolo Leontovich,
arr. Hart Morris
|
| 7. |
Silent Night
|
3:04 |
Franz Gruber,
arr. Bette Garee
|
| 8. |
March of the Kings
|
2:59
|
George Bizet,
arr. Frances Legge Callahan
|
9.
Bronze
Edition
Bonus
Track
|
The First Noel
(recorded by the 1999 Allegro Handbell Ensemble,
conducted by Daniel M. Reck)
|
3:14
|
Old English Carol,
arr. Paul A. McKlveen
|
10.
|
Flourish and Dance
|
3:27
|
Albert Zabel
|
| 11. |
Fanfare and Festival Dance
|
2:58 |
Richard E. Frey
|
| 12. |
Sharon's Song
|
3:57
|
Donald E. Allured
|
| 13. |
Silverthorne
|
6:42 |
Donald E. Allured
|
| 14. |
Maple Leaf Rag
|
3:32
|
Scott Joplin
|
15.
Bronze
Edition
Bonus
Track |
With the Angels, Let Us Sing
(recorded by the 2009 Allegro Handbell Ensemble)
"Commissioned in memory of Linda Tice for the 1971-1979 Allegro Handbell Ensemble." |
3:51 |
Carl Wiltse
|
Recording Credits
The Ringers: Nancy Bogg, Laura Bull, Susan Coats, Lynn Compton, Anne Girton, Jim Holt, Laura Junta, Kristin Lawrence, Caroline Muller, Jennifer Purdy, John Purdy, Tammy Teschner, Martin White, and Edith Wood.
Recorded in the Sanctuary of The Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 South Garfield Avenue, Hinsdale, Illinois 60521 on January 25 and February 1, 1981.
Producer: Michael Surratt
Recording Engineer: Gerald G. LeCompts
Record Album Coordinator: J. R. Stemke, Elite Records, Schaumburg, IL
Cover Design and Photography by: Bruce Chlevin
Graphics: Warren Hannas, Vision Studios, LaGrange, IL
Allegro Bronze Edition Recording Credits
Digital Remastering, Post Production, and 1990 Recording Engineer: Gerald G. LeCompte
1999 Recording Engineer: Robert Atkins
2011 Instrument Photography and Graphic Design: Daniel M. Reck, forzandoArts
Track 9 Musicians: Daniel M. Reck conducting the 1999 Allegro Handbell Ensemble: Marie Becker, Gregory Berns, Trace Carter, Matthew Dickerson, Laura Dieli, Emily Jensen, Jessica Jung, Jennifer Knuepfer, Sarah Libby,
Kim Lockhart, Christopher Lubenow, and J.J. Stocker with Michael B. Surratt.
Track 10 Musicians: Michael B. Surratt conducting the 2009 Allegro Handbell Ensemble: Lizzy Brady, Chris Davey, Michael Doose, Peter Elias, Erik Jaworski, Anna Krainc, Catherine Nienhouse, Jonathon Schwarzbauer, Ali Sunseri,
Leah Tarabour, Andy Tuggle, and Brandon Woodle.
This recording is copyright 1981, 1999, 2009, and 2011 by the Allegro Handbell Ensemble and the Union Church of Hinsdale, Illinois.
