ARIZONA SPRING FESTIVAL/CONFERENCE
APRIL 25, 2009

SAGUARO HIGH SCHOOL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ

Monica McGowan was the clinician for this event. She proved to be an excellent choice. There were 125 ringers from 15 choirs who were able to learn many things from her during the course of the festival. The closing concert was an opportunity for everyone to put those things into use. Monica has become a wonderful massed ringing director though lots of work and much experience and she helps the ringers translate the notes on a page into a truly musical result with her clear concise directing.

The Festival and closing concert were dedicated to Cristy Newport, a dedicated ringer of Campanillas Del Sol and director of the handbell choir at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Phoenix. She was an active AGEHR member and hosted many of the Arizona workshops at her church. Cristy died very suddenly and unexpectedly on March 31, 2009

The following pictures, taken by Jennie Blomquist, will give you an idea of why everyone was so fulfilled, but also tired at the end of a wonderful day of ringing and learning. Thanks, Jennie, for being our photographer for the day. Thanks also to Kay Cook, Sub-area chair-elect, who helped procure the location for this festival/conference. It was a great place!

Linda Maloney and Monica McGowan prepare to lead warm-up exercises. First: SHOULDER ROLLS	Next: BEND OVER LIKE A FLOPPY DOLL
The whole gymnasium is soon a blur of activity.	Now it's time for the rehearsal to begin.
Following are some of the choirs attending. Ringers were all ages and came from various parts of Arizona - Phoenix, Scottsdale, Prescott, Payson, Mesa, Tucson, Gold Canyon, Glendale, Sun City, Sun City West and Sedona.

The concert included a solo number by Bells of Joy from Cross in the Desert UMC in Phoenix. Directed by Julie Wagner, they played "Come Thou Fount of Ev'ry Blessing" arr. Moklebust.
Taylor Goss wowed concert goers AND participants by playing a medly of Stephen Foster songs using 6 in hand! His accompanist was his mother.	It was a stellar performance and cell phones came out to capture it.

Mike Mazzatenta, Area XI Chair, seems to be observing himself ringing. He might actually be performing his own composition! Although Mike really does have a twin brother, this is just "a trick with the photo program."

Roy Blomquist introduces Monica McGowan to the audience at the closing concert. Roy was called upon to do the introduction when State Chair, Anne Cotter, had to leave due to a family emergency. Roy is a former Area XI chair and is always working to make AGEHR events a success in Arizona and Area XI.

Sharon Sparlin former Area XI Secretary/Treasurer

Linda Maloney former Area XI Chair and current Young Ringers Camp Director

Marcy Hontz Area XI Web Steward and Newsletter Editor

Anne Cotter Arizona Sub-area Chair

Sue Robinson Arizona Sub-area Secretary/Treasurer

---

Linda Maloney and Mike Mazzatenta in serious conversation
while clean-up goes on in the background. Wonder what they're
talking about? Could be something for Area XI in Tucson in summer, 2010.
Look for breaking news at www.area11.org late in July or early August.


Back to Area XI Home Page

Page created 05/20/2009
e-mail comments to Web Steward