As
hand bell ringers, we don’t play alone and can’t practice by ourselves. We need
each other playing together to hear the entirety of the piece and figure out where
our bell notes fit within the whole. So there is a good deal of trust that
needs to happen in bell choir…trust that everyone shows up to rehearse, that we
do our focused best, that we don’t give
up and leave, that our director knows how to lead the rehearsal.
Playing
bells takes me out of my comfort zone. Feeling in control and relying on myself
is how I function best, along with avoiding mistakes at all cost (sound
familiar?). Relying on others is always risky. And yet… I can’t play alone, and my mind and
spirit are made whole because I do this bell choir thing on a regular basis.
Totally crazy, right?
So here
are steps that help me endure bell choir – and as it turns out – make it
possible to live a somewhat sane life:
Show
up: Get to rehearsal, get out of bed, be on time. Make
sure courage and sense of humor come along.
Listen
and follow your director/Director. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or wonder
what the heck is going on.
Be
brave, willing to fail, and know you are not alone. Pray for strength to do
this!
Be
flexible and ready to play any part that is needed.
Pay
attention to your own part/life and resist the urge to comment on anyone
else’s.
Mistakes
happen – move on! Be OK with not being perfect, and strive to do better next go
around.
Give
thanks to God for your fellow ringers and those who travel the journey with
you.
_________________________________________
My
fellow bell ringers in the COOS Canterbury Bells and our fearless leader, Tom
Dixon, are just the best. How lucky am I to share in the disarming discomfort
of creating beautiful music with them!
You can hear us
play next on Sunday, February 23, at the 9:00 and 11:15am services.
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