College Ring-in 2018 scholarship winners
Two students from Purdue University were selected to receive Houston Bronze Scholarships to College Ring-In, 2018. This event, sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America College Ring-In 2018, was held at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey on January 3-6, 2018. Our winners both rang with Purdue Bells.
Meet Sara Wendt: Sara started playing handbells at her home church in 7th grade and knew she wanted to continue in college. Purdue also has two small ensemble groups, and she is a member of both. She currently serves as manager of Purdue Bells. This will be her third College Ring-In. She is hoping to leave this year's College Ring-In with a better appreciation for handbells as an art and a better sense of musicality overall. She feels it is important to see how different directors interpret music and help ringers connect the notes on the page to their movements and playing style to create the best possible sound.
Meet Karen You: Karen played in her high school's handbell ensemble in Singapore for three years. Through all the rehearsals and various performances and competitions, she fell in love with this unique instrument and decided to ring in college. This led her to Purdue. At College Ring-In, 2018, Karen looks forward to improving as a musician. She has learned from each new conductor and feels that ringing under Michael Joy will be a highlight in her handbell career. She also looks forward to meeting ringers from other schools and sharing the passion not only for bells, but also for other aspects of life. She knows that this will be a valuable experience that will motivate her in the future