Live, on stage, accompanied by The Ringing Nativity Performance Ensemble, The Christmas Story comes alive in the World Performance Center at Epcot in Orlando Florida
With the harmonius artistry of English Handbells, the Theater will resound with beautiful music as the birth of Jesus takes center stage in this unique performance experience.
Our Conductor
Kevin McChesney graduated with highest honors from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a BMus in Composition and Theory. A composer and arranger of handbell music, Kevin currently has over 900 titles in print and is one of the very few musicians who makes handbells a full-time vocation. He has won numerous awards for his work, including winning American Guild of English Handbell Ringers Composition Contests and Jeffers Composer of the Year. Kevin is the handbell editor for Jeffers Handbell Supply and the RingingWord catalog. He is also co-founder of the Solo To Ensemble Project, STEP, http://www.sonologymusic.com. He is former Music Director of the one of the premier handbell concert groups the Pikes Peak Ringers of Colorado Springs, and also the Artistic Advisor of the Atlanta Concert Ringers. His work with PPR includes the premiere, and 13 further performances of his Concerto for Handbell Choir and Orchestra, and a recording with world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. He is in demand throughout the handbell world as a workshop clinician and festival conductor.
F.A.Q.
The Registration fee is $590 dollars. This includes: Three and a half days of event activities, including three days of rehearsals/performance with Kevin McChesney and the professional actors of the cast. Some event meals and meal vouchers - Friday welcome reception, Saturday lunch, After performance desert celebration and VIP fireworks viewing. Snacks and refreshments at breaks. Transportation to the dress rehearsal/performance of the event. After concert park admission ticket. Use of 7 octaves of Malmark Handbells, 6 octaves of Malmark handchimes and other instruments as required by the director. Use of Stafford Signature Series Mallets
Your registration fee does not include: Transportation to the Orlando area or Coronado Springs resort. Hotel accommodations. Music. Black formal concert attire and black gloves (no dots) for the performance. Gloves without dots are required for rehearsal but any color is acceptable.
Both individuals and pre-existing ensembles can participate. Everyone must audition. See the audition section for audition requirements
Participants may stay wherever they would like; however, The Coronado Springs Conference Center and Resort is the prefered hotel and offers a discount rate to our room block.
All equipment is provided. Participants must provide their own gloves (no dots) for rehearsal and performance.
The event begins on Thursday, December 25th at 7 PM and goes through Sunday evening's performance at the World Stage Theater at Epcot in Orlando, FL. The performance will end at approximately 8:30 PM. All rehearsals and performances are mandatory. Rehearsals will be held at the Coronado Springs Convention Center and Resort. There is no time in the schedule to visit a Disney theme park. If you plan your vacation during the event dates plan to visit the parks either before or after the event.
Upon acceptance, participants are expected to acquire the music and learn their ringing position, working with their stand partner, choir "double", and section leader. Ringing positions will be assigned after acceptance into the ensemble. Music will need to be shared with a stand partner for rehearsals and the performance.
Every attendee will have the opportunity to indicate dietary preferences and needs when they register.
Please let us know when you register if you have any other needs we need to be aware of.
Dress comfortably for rehearsals. We will be in intensive rehearsals for long periods so wear good shoes. The dress code for performance is formal concert black.
The VIP guest package (500 dollars) includes transportation to and from the Great Christmas Ring performance on Saturday at Disney Springs, transportation to Epcot on Sunday for the Dress Rehearsal and concert, admission for all events, the welcome reception, the VIP conductor luncheon and a ticket for admission to Epcot after the performance only. If your VIP wants to visit the park before the concert or during the dress rehearsal, they must have a full price admission ticket that can be purchased seperately.
Registration Form
Your first step in becoming a member of the Ringing Nativity Performance Ensemble is filling out our application. You can do that by clicking on the Registration link below.
Recommendation Forms: Two (or more) recommendation forms must be completed by someone who has directed you or observed your ringing within the past 5 years. Persons recommending you should complete the form online at our website. Forms can be accessed at the link below.
Performance video: Submit EITHER a video of you ringing within the last 3 years. Make sure you can be seen ringing, preferably in a setting with no more than three rows of ringers. Please identify which ringer you are, using any distinguishing characteristics like hair, clothing, or position OR a video of you ringing measures 39-68 (position of your choice) of Alex Guebert's Joy to the World (MCGB1074) AND of you ringing measures 10-47 of Sandra Eithun's Savior of the Nations Come (MJHS9479) Videos should be submitted as an online link to info@globalbronzeproductions.com Please put your name and "Ringing Nativity Video Submission" in the subject line of your email.
Thank you for taking the time to recommend a ringer to be a part of the Global Bronze Productions event - The Heavens Are Ringing. Click on the link below to be taken to the recommendation form.
