Dayspring’s English Handbell Choirs, under the direction of Julie Hackmann, add a beautiful dimension to our Worship Services. Our five-octave set of Malmark Handbells, as well as our Handchimes, provide a challenging opportunity for those who prefer to become a part of an instrumental ensemble.
CHIMERS: The Chimers are an intermediate Bell Choir open to teens, college students or adults who can read treble or bass music. Chimers generally ring hymn tunes, contemporary worship music, classical and pop tunes. The skill level for Chimers makes it the perfect bell choir for beginning ringers that can read music but have no bell experience. A wonderful group of twelve musicians, the Chimers ring in service once a month and also perform at the Desert Botanical Gardens during the holidays. Winter and Spring Concerts plus special events may round out the calendar for the bell year, which is generally August to April. If you are new to bells, but have music reading skill, the Chimers would welcome you!
DAYSTAR: The DayStar ringers are an advanced bell choir that rings challenging, beautiful selections of sacred, secular, jazz, show tunes and even a little rock and roll. DayStar has a core group of fourteen dedicated musicians. There are places open for any college-age or adult that has solid music reading skills, rhythm, and a sense of joy! DayStar rings for worship services once a month and for special holiday services, as well as performing for the Luminaria at the Desert Botanical Gardens, community events and annual concerts. If you have bell experience, or have solid musicial skill and would like to learn to ring, DayStar has a place for you!
NOTE: The Dayspring Bell Choirs need YOU! Are you a teen, college age or adult musician that enjoys performing in an ensemble? Do you love hearing great sacred and secular music? Do you enjoy fun fellowship with terrific, dedicated musicians, intermediate and advanced? Can you read bass or treble clef music? Previous experience in a bell choir is a plus but not necessary, as long as you can read and think on your feet! The Dayspring Bell Choirs welcome new members who could join us regularly for Tuesday evening rehearsals and once a month worship service performance. Bass bell ringers (middle C and below) are especially encouraged to join, but there is room in the choir for any level of musician that would like to experience the pure joy of ringing! For more information, please email Bell Director, Julie Hackmann for more information.
Welcome! I am Julie Hackmann, the director of DayStar and Chimers Handbell Ensembles here at Dayspring. I am the Performing and Visual Arts Coordinator for the Kyrene School District. I am a National Board Certified Teacher of Music and Theatre. My award winning choirs have performed nationally and internationally. My goals at Dayspring are to provide leadership in beautiful, meaningful music for worship, foster fellowship and musicianship for all ringers, and create uplifting musical experiences for Dayspring and our community. I welcome new members to our choirs! If you have any questions about the Dayspring Handbells, please email me. May God bless you each and every day!