East Anglian Regional Team
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Concerts held in 2024
The East Anglian Regional Team performed successful concerts at The Priory Centre (St Neots), Haverhill Arts Centre and Ware Drill Hall in May and June 2024.
How it all began...
The East Anglian Regional Team (EART) was originally formed in 2001 under the guidance of Michael Goodman. The first performance was in March 2002 at the EAR regional AGM rally, followed a month later at the Guildford National rally. July 2004 saw another performance as part of EAR's 25th anniversary celebratory rally at Wyboston.
After a period of inactivity the team reformed under the musical direction of Tim Willetts in Nov 2005. The first performance was in March 2006 at the EAR AGM Rally. The following year the team gave a performance at the 2007 HRGB National Rally in Hatfield and saw the first full concert at Waltham Abbey Church.
In 2011 Aidan Fozard began to support Tim with conducting, leading to the role of Musical Director being shared between the two of them. In 2018 Aidan took on full responsibility for the role.
EART has performed 2 or 3 spring concerts annually since 2007, excluding 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic. During this time the team rehearsed via zoom - an interesting experience for all.
In addition to the end of season concerts, the team has also performed a Christmas concert, taken part in National Rallies and a concert tour in the Rouen area of France.
The Present Team
The team rings using various styles and techniques to enhance both the ringers' experience and musicality.
Currently the team covers 7 octaves of bells and 6 octaves of chimes plus various multiples, giving members the opportunity to ring more complex music on a wider range of instruments, thus stretching themselves musically. In doing this the team also addresses the aim of HRGB "...to advance, provide and encourage for the public benefit the art of handbell tune ringing."
Structured full day rehearsals are held monthly from September to May ending with a concert series in May/June. Members are expected to be self-disciplined with private practice between rehearsals.
The team is self-financing through membership subscription covering rehearsal costs. Members are asked to purchase their own music and provide their own music stands and gloves. All other equipment is loaned, stored and transported by its members, the region and the William Hartley Memorial Fund (WHMF).
Dates for 2024-2025
The rehearsal dates for the 2024-2025 season are as follows:
- Sunday 15th September 2024
- Saturday 19th October 2024
- Sunday 24th November 2024
- Saturday 11th January 2025
- Saturday 15th February 2025
- Sunday 23rd March 2025
- Saturday 26th April 2025
- Saturday 10th May 2025
The concerts to be held in 2025 are as follows:
- Saturday 17th May 2025 - Venue to be confirmed.
- Saturday 31st May 2025 - St Botolph Church, Colchester.
- Saturday 14th June 2025 - Great Yarmouth Minster.
Rehearsal Location
All rehearsals are held at Ickleton Village Hall:
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