Cruise of the Bells X
Destination: Eastern Caribbean
Clinician: David M. Harris
Holland America; ms Statendam
January 3-10, 2009

David M. Harris Guest Clinician

David M. Harris is in his nineteenth year as the music director of The Raleigh Ringers, an internationally-recognized touring handbell ensemble based in Raleigh, NC.  David was instrumental in the formation of this auditioned 7 1/2 octave choir in 1990.  Under his leadership, the Raleigh Ringers have performed in Paris, France and surrounding areas; on International Television on the "Hour of Power" program; as a showcase choir for the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) National Directors' Seminar; with the North Carolina Symphony during their Holiday Pops Concerts; at the Piccolo Spoleto festival in Charleston, South Carolina; and as special guest performers at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York. The Raleigh Ringers are in constant demand as a featured guest choir at handbell festivals and artists series around the country.

The Raleigh Ringers have premiered several handbell compositions by nationally-known handbell composers including William Payn, Hart Morris, Arnold Sherman, Karen Buckwalter, Carl Wiltse, Cathy Moklebust, Bill Griffin, and Fred Gramann.  The group has worked with Jeffers Publications to introduce "The Raleigh Ringers Series", a set of handbell publications intended for advanced choirs.  To date, The Raleigh Ringers have released four very popular CDs: "The Raleigh Ringers", "Impressions of the Season", "More", and "Going to Extremes".  In addition, the group has produced a full length concert video, "One Winter Evening at Meymandi", available in both DVD and VHS.  An hour portion of this video was used as a Holiday special, syndicated across 250+ PBS stations and affiliates in 45 states!

David is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and has studied conducting privately with Dr. William A. Payn at Bucknell University.  He has served the AGEHR in several capacities: as Ringing Track Conductor for the National Directors' Seminar, as clinician for several local and Area workshops and festivals, as North Carolina State Chairman, and as Area III Treasurer.  David also served as chairman for the first ever AGEHR-sponsored event for community ringers entitled, "Pinnacle 2000", held in Las Vegas.  David has led handbell festivals and workshops in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, Maryland, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, Washington, Minnesota, Texas, Arizona, Oregon, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, New Mexico, Puerto Rico and Canada.  He is also one of the co-founders of the very successful Capital Area Handbell Festival, held annually in Raleigh.  David has written several articles for Overtones, the national publication of AGEHR. 

We are delighted to have him join us for this cruise.