Below you will find links to help you promote our Houston Bronze concert. Included is a brief history of HBE, pictures, and the HBE logo, and concert posters. Should you need a different size or format, please let us know by email, info@houtonbronze.org
Equipment set up: We play on 57 feet (9 six foot tables plus one 3 foot table) in a winged U setup. This is our usual set up. Before booking your concert, we will talk with you about the space you have available. This often requires that we make an on site visit. We have played in various formations and will work with you to make it possible for us to perform in your space.
May, 2025 Lux Aeterna
Below please find graphics for our upcoming concert. Should you require another size or different information included, please contact us. Flyers for individual sites will be posted shortly.
about our Director, David York
With a background primarily in choral conducting, David came to handbells mid-career by way of composing an original work for Bells of the Cascades and his semi-professional vocal choir, David York Ensemble. “The Bells” - text by Edgar Allan Poe - was a success and the handbell bug bit hard. A few years later, he was hired to conduct Bells of the Cascades, a post he held for three seasons. In addition to his award-winning chamber choir, numerous community choirs of various sizes, skill-level, and repertoire, and church work for his entire adult life, Dr. York directed Portland Boychoir for fifteen years, the last ten years of which included a handbell program he built from scratch. David relocated to Houston in 2019. He’s now the Director of Music at First Congregational Church of Houston, the Artistic Director for Pride Chorus Houston. David brings big energy and excitement to Houston Bronze Ensemble, and a self-declared commitment for having FUN through all phases of the music-making process.
About our Guest Artist, Zachary Montasser, violin
Houston Bronze is happy to announce our guest artist for our spring, 2025 concerts. We are excited to perform with him.
Zachary Montasser has enjoyed a varied and fruitful career, exploring many musical styles and venues. He is an avid chamber musician, and has been a founding member of two classical string quartets. Currently he is a member of the Candlelight Series in Corpus Christi, performs in a Harp/Violin duo, and regularly collaborates in all chamber settings.
Zachary performs regularly as a musical theater musician. He has performed in off-Broadway tours, and for esteemed companies such as Theater Under the Stars, A.D. Players, and Stages Theater. He also performs in more traditional classical programming with organizations like Opera in the Heights, and The Symphony of Southeast Texas.
Zachary’s musical journey has taken him all over the world, from Chicago to Beijing, to Mexico City and Houston and New Orleans and Germany, etc.
Currently, Zachary is pioneering a musical appreciation course called “Musicology LIVE!,” which endeavors to break down accessibility barriers to classical music through impassioned performance lectures. Check out more at www.musicwithz.com
Zachary Montasser has enjoyed a varied and fruitful career, exploring many musical styles and venues. He is an avid chamber musician, and has been a founding member of two classical string quartets. Currently he is a member of the Candlelight Series in Corpus Christi, performs in a Harp/Violin duo, and regularly collaborates in all chamber settings.
Zachary performs regularly as a musical theater musician. He has performed in off-Broadway tours, and for esteemed companies such as Theater Under the Stars, A.D. Players, and Stages Theater. He also performs in more traditional classical programming with organizations like Opera in the Heights, and The Symphony of Southeast Texas.
Zachary’s musical journey has taken him all over the world, from Chicago to Beijing, to Mexico City and Houston and New Orleans and Germany, etc.
Currently, Zachary is pioneering a musical appreciation course called “Musicology LIVE!,” which endeavors to break down accessibility barriers to classical music through impassioned performance lectures. Check out more at www.musicwithz.com
About Houston bronze ensemble
The Houston Bronze Ensemble is a professional, auditioned, handbell ensemble made up of musicians from the greater Houston area. Known as Houston’s premier handbell choir, the ensemble performs regular concerts in the winter and spring as well as at community, regional, and national events, weddings, and private parties. The group plays a wide variety of musical genres, always with the goal of excellence. Founded in 1988, Houston Bronze Ensemble was started as an avenue for Houston area handbell directors to have a place to ring. A lunchtime meeting with only a napkin to write the names of those who might be interested is what started it all. The rest, as they say, is history. Past irectors include founder Hart Morris, Margaret Tucker, David VanderMerr, Dolan Bayless, Ben Harris, Ruth Seiwell, James Roberts, Bill Nave, Sondra Tucker. David York is our current artistic director. While we have a long history, Houston Bronze also recognizes the importance of building the future of handbell ringing. We offer a variety of educational opportunities designed to meet the unique needs of churches and schools who wish to build or improve their handbell programs. Workshops designed to meet specific needs, mini concerts, and petting zoos are a sample of what we provide to the Houston area handbell community.