Carli Berry
The Knox United Church will be hosting “Ring for Joy,” a day camp that will allow children to learn how to play handbells and discover the joy of making art.
This is the first year of the camp, Joan Patron, handbell choir director said, but she’s a part of an adult handbell choir for three years.
The children’s camp is set for Knox United Church in Parksville from Aug. 24-28.
Each day from 9 a.m. until noon, students will have the opportunity to learn two different notes on a bell and collaborate in playing a tune.
The first hour each morning will consist of the students learning the skills of ringing the bells, as well as music notation and techniques, Patron said.
“They learn to listen to each other,” Patron said.
It’s all about teamwork as each student plays two notes on each bell, one in the treble clef and one in the base clef. Each student will then learn to time their bell with the others to create a song. By the end of the week Patron said she hopes that the students will be able to perform two pieces of music as a team. “It’s a new experience for them,” she said.
The second half of the camp focuses on art creations where students will be creating fabric pieces and wall hangings.
The “Ring for Joy” focuses on the theme of joy and “what gives us joy,” she said.
The final day of the camp will consist of a sharing presentation where students will show parents and family members their creations and possibly performances.
Patron said she is a seasoned musician and has been teaching in Alberta.
Patron said she hopes to have anywhere from eight to 16 children sign up from grades five to eight.
To sign up visit the Knox United Church which is open from 8:30 a.m. to
4 p.m. to pick up registration forms or contact the church at 250-248-3927. It costs $10 to join.