Save the Handbells Program

 

 

 

To:

Students, parents, and members of our community who love the handbells program at RMSA
From:

David Bowers
 

 
Purpose:

The purpose of this note is to help those who are interested in saving the handbells program at Rollings Middle School of the Arts.

 

Background:

The handbell program at RMSA has been cancelled.  It is slated to be phased out when today’s 6th graders finish the 8th grade in the 2007/2008 school year.  The timing stemmed from Mrs. Brantley’s decision to retire at that time.  Students who had been selected to enter Rollings in 2004/2005 in handbells had the option of being placed in the Strings core or declining their invitation to attend RMSA.

 

Many people have asked what we can do to reverse this decision.  I believe that we should make sure that administrators and school board members know how we feel.  To that end, I have outlined below the names of people we should address and some of the points that we might want to emphasize.  As I receive further input, I will add those comments to this page.  Please send comments to handbells@thebowershome.com.  

 

Send Your Input to:

Please address your comments to:

Mr. Joseph R. Pye, Superintendent

Mr. Larry Barnfield, Fine Arts Director

Board Members –

Mr. Bufort Blanton, Chairman, Mrs. Frances Townsend, Mrs. Carolyn Howard, Dr. Robert G. Beebe, Jr., Mr. Harry Blake, Jr., Mrs. Lynn Goettee, Mr. William M. Reeves, Jr.

 

Dorchester School District Two

102 Greenwave Boulevard

Summerville, SC  29483

 

Summary:

Please include any comments that you think are appropriate.  Some have suggested these points of emphasis:

 

Excellence:

This program has attained a level of excellence that reflects exactly what Rollings stands for: A very high level of the art attained by placing talented, motivated artists together under a great instructor through the middle school years.  The result has been a level of play in the top 10% of handbell choirs in the country at any age.

 

Diversity:

Unlike some of the other cores, evaluation for inclusion in the handbell program is based on talent, ability and interest more than experience with the bells.  Many incoming students have never played handbells before.  This reduces the advantage that private lessons sometimes play in some of the other cores.

 

I have heard many anecdotes about elementary students discovering their love for music after hearing a performance by the RMSA handbell choir.

 

Investment:

Our district, members of the community, and local businesses have contributed significant money to purchase our handbells.  All of our chimes and some of our bells were purchased with donations from the community.  When we solicited these donations, the donors certainly looked toward a long-term program.

 

Community Perception:

Public performances by our Handbell choir have reached as many non-Rollings members of our community as any other core.  And the result has been an improved image of our school.

 

Teacher:

Mrs. Brantley is unique, but there are other qualified instructors that can lead the program.

 

High School:

I have heard that one of the reasons for dropping the program is that it does not lead to a similar program in high school.  My responses are:

1.      The program stands on its own merit even if it stands alone as a 3-year program.

2.      Students have many opportunities to continue the art in church and community handbell choirs.

3.      Many handbell graduates go on to be among the best percussionists, etc. in our high school bands.

4.      Let’s add handbells to our high schools, not take it away from the middle school.

 

Timing:

We believe that it is possible to change this decision in time for the entering 6th graders.  Mrs. Brantley would be willing to work with a replacement teacher to ensure a smooth transition.

 

Conclusion:

Please reverse the decision that has been made to cancel the handbells program.  We believe that this is in the best interest of the students, the school, and the community.