Nashville's Premier Community Handbell Ensemble

We are Nashville's premier community handbell ensemble

We are fully affiliated with the Handbell Musicians of America and are a non-profit organization. A repertoire is available across a variety of musical styles and genres. (See our repertoire on the About page.) Specific pieces can be requested in accordance with our engagement policy on our Coming Events page.

Our Mission

To reach for higher levels of musicianship in handbells/handchimes and to promote, educate and share the passion of handbell/handchime music with the community.

Engaging Music City Bronze

Music City Bronze is available for a variety of performance types. Space and parking needs are flexible depending on the venue. Contact our conductor to discuss! Typical engagements include:

Private events: Music City Bronze is available for weddings, parties and other private events. Performance fees are $750 per set. A set includes event set up and break down, and 45 minutes of music.

Featured Concerts for non-profit organizations: Music City Bronze is always interested in supporting schools, churches, faith-based and other non-profit organizations. Music City Bronze must be the featured performance for such events. Depending upon the resources and location of the organization, an honorarium, free-will offering, or combination will be requested.

Multi-group performance events: Under certain circumstances, Music City Bronze will participate in concert events featuring multiple ensembles. In such cases, we require significant input in the overall event to ensure that our style and contribution is aligned. Compensation for such events is negotiable.

Other event types: If you would like to book Music City Bronze for another type of event that is not contemplated in our engagement guidelines, please contact us. Our Board of Directors will respond with our availability and fees promptly!

To schedule a performance of Music City Bronze, contact our director using the form below.

Auditions

Music City Bronze, Middle Tennessee's premier Community Handbell Ensemble, is pleased to announce auditions for membership for this year. We are an exciting group of musicians who love ringing and sharing the art of advanced English Handbell Ringing with the Middle Tennessee area. Eligibility: Music City Bronze is open to all experienced handbell musicians whose ringing skills are AGEHR Level 3 or higher, ages 16 and up.

Open Rehearsals for Interested Ringers: Anyone interested in observing a rehearsal may do so. You can use the Contact Us form at www.musiccitybronze.org to schedule.

Auditions: Auditions will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Andrew Price UMC - 2846 Lebanon Rd., in Donelson. All potential members must be present for this audition. Potential members will select their preferred bell range, and will be provided one piece of music in advance which they will be required to ring in their preferred position and in one other position as determined by the conductor on the day of the auditions. They will also sight-ring another piece in both their preferred and one other position. Determinations for membership will be made by the conductor with the input of two judges.

Audition Registration. If you are interested in auditioning, please visit our web site at www.musiccitybronze.org and use the Contact Us tab. Please provide name, email address, a description of your ringing experience and preferred bell range. Registrations should be complete by February 15, 2019.

Reference. Ringers who have never been members of Music City Bronze are required to bring a Statement of Reference from another conductor or AGEHR member confirming ringing ability and ensemble dependability. This should include an assessment of rehearsal and concert demeanor and attendance record. These letters may be presented at the Audition or in advance at an Open Rehearsal.

Music City Bronze Information: Music City Bronze, a Tennessee Corporation designated as a 501 (c) 3 organization by the Internal Revenue Code was founded in 2006. It is governed by a Board of Directors. Additional information can be found at www.musiccitybronze.org .

Rehearsal Times and Policies: This year's rehearsal schedule has not been finalized but in general rehearsals will occur on Monday evenings. Members may not miss more than two rehearsals per year unless specific arrangements are made with the conductor. Members must pay an annual fee and provide performance uniforms as specified by the Board of Directors. Copies of our formal “Ringers Handbook” will be available at the Open Rehearsal.

MCB 4 Quartet

As ambassadors for Music City Bronze, Middle Tennessee’s premier community handbell ensemble, the mission of the MCB 4 handbell quartet is to assist in introducing and sharing the joy of handbell ringing with a wide variety of audiences, and to demonstrate the versatility, beauty and exuberance of this charming and graceful pitched percussion instrument.