Handbell Choirs
Bronze Ambassadors
This instrumental elective is open by audition to students in grades 7-12 who are willing to make a commitment to excellence in musicianship and character. This ensemble performs advanced-level handbell repertoire that requires them to master complex musical notation and techniques. They are held to the highest level of stage artistry, and are considered trend setters in their art form. Students are also given the opportunity to learn instrumental conducting, choose their own repertoire, ring solo and small ensemble pieces, and perform in the community and beyond. This group's higher calling is to reach the disenfranchised with the beauty of God's music.
"El" Bells
This handbell ensemble provides students in grades 4-6 with an introduction to handbell artistry using beginner-level repertoire. UCA owns, and has access to, multiple sets of handbells, orchestral bells, and other percussion instruments that the students learn to play. Students learn how to read music, experience musical form, learn stage artistry and etiquette, and experience a wide range of handbell literature. Students are also given the opportunity to perform on their instruments twice per year in concert.
Concert Bells
This instrumental elective is open to students in grades 7-12 and focusses on intermediate-level handbell repertoire that uses a variety of instrumental combinations. Students are exposed to body-based music education, more advanced musical notation, more difficult handbell techniques, and a more intentional level of stage artistry. Students are also given the opportunity to perform on their instruments twice per year in concert.
Concert Chorus
Students in grades 7-12 are invited to experience and perform vocal music from all historical periods in Concert Chorus. Group voice lessons and body-based music instruction provide an important foundation in the growth of each student. Exposing students to a wide variety of vocal music provides them the opportunity to experience singing in different languages, singing in different styles, singing pedagogies, and other opportunities that are designed to prepare them for the next level of music making in their lives, whatever that might be.
