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.
December 2024 Concert Description Making Spirits Bright
The sound of handbells ringing Christmas melodies quickens the spirit of the season in an instant. On Friday, December 6, Houston’s premier handbell choir will present holiday fare with virtuosic arrangements designed to inspire, soothe, and excite. For wee ones spying for Santa, for the busy cookie makers, and for our good ol’ grumpy bah humbugs, an hour with Houston Bronze Ensemble will make the rest of your December a little brighter.To add to the fun, we’ve invited our singing friends S.L.E.D. to bring their magical vocals in close-harmony arrangements of some of your favorite Christmas songs.Whether you’re looking for the sacred or secular, an escape from the demands of the time, or a gleeful plunge into holiday revery, Houston Bronze has just the recipe.
about our Director, David York
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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, and the Music Director for the Houston Christmas Revels. 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 S.L.E.D.
Houston Bronze is excited to present this program of holiday music to you. We are especially thrilled to announce our very special guest artist for this season. The Barbershop Quartet S.L.E.D. will be joining us on the stage for this fun concert. S.L.E.D. is comprised of four energetic and talented individuals whose commitment to musical excellence is rivaled only by their passion for entertaining. We are all members of the Barbershop Harmony Society and members of various choruses: The Houston Tidelanders, Space City Sound, The Statesmen Chorus and Vocal Majority in whom we have competed in numerous Regional and International Competitions. And in case you are wondering about the ensemble’s name, here is what they write with tongue in cheek in their brochure. “There is no longer a need to lie awake at night wondering about the meaning of our name. Our name was held in a ”Cloud of Secrecy” until now. The secret is out! This “Scintilatingly Lighthearted Ensemble of Destiny” wants you to know we love sharing the meaning of our name, no matter if we are Savoring Life Eating Donuts for breakfast together or celebrating the holidays leaving milk and cookies out for the guy in the big red suit; after all Santa Loves Eating Dessert!! Oh well, you may need to come to a show or hire us for a performance to learn more about the meaning of our name.”
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.