News
Baylor Bronze to Perform December 2
11.24.14
Ensembles from the Baylor University School of Music have performed in the Hill College Performing Arts Series on many occasions over the years, and this year is no exception. The Baylor Bronze handbell ensemble is dedicated to promoting excellence in the art of handbell ringing through excellence performance of a wide variety of literature. In so doing, they also hope to educate those unfamiliar with this important art form and better prepare those who may one day direct their own handbell ensembles. Performers in this ensemble represent a variety of majors at the university, with only three of the current performers majoring in a music field, and, while most are from Texas, some are from other areas of the country.
The group, which performs on five octaves of Schulmerich handbells with the recent addition of eight of the lower 6th & 7th octave of Malmark aluminum "basso profundo" bells, is directed by Bob Avant, a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors degree in Music Education, a Masters degree in Music (Instrumental Conducting) and a Masters degree in Education (Instructional Technology). Mr. Avant served 13 years as a band director for Killeen ISD and Austin ISD and then worked at the Education Service Center, Region XIII for 17 years as a technology leader and consultant to central Texas school districts. He has directed handbell ensembles at First United Methodist Church, Central Presbyterian Church and now at First Baptist Church, all in Austin. Mr. Avant also co-founded and directs the Austin Handbell Ensemble, an auditioned group which has performed extensively throughout the nation and recorded four CDs. He is a longtime member and has served as area chair of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
Although their repertoire generally consists of classical, secular and hymn-based arrangements, this performance will have a holiday focus, including arrangements of many well-known carols, popular songs such as White Christmas and Sleigh Ride and even a selection from the recent Disney movie, “Frozen”. Plan now to join us for this musical celebration of the holiday season!!
The performance will take place at 7:30 pm in the Vara Martin Daniel Performing Arts Center, just behind the Texas Heritage Museum on the Hillsboro Campus and is free and open to the public. A reception hosted by the Sesame Club will follow this event.
If you would like to support the Hill College Performing Arts Series, you are invited to become a BENEFACTOR ($100), a SUSTAINER ($50), a PATRON ($25), or a SUPPORTER ($10) of the Hill College Performing Arts Series. Also, for a donation of $1,000 or more you can become a LIFETIME BENEFACTOR. Names of lifetime benefactors, benefactors, sustainers, patrons and supporters appear in each program. You may send your donation to: Hill College Music Dept., Attention: Phillip Lowe, 112 Lamar Dr., Hillsboro, TX, 76645. Go to www.hillcollege.edu/performingartsseries for more information on the Performing Arts Series.