Author: coppersclassic_edr2py

In 2016, year two of Coppers Classic, someone stood up and dangled a $100 bill and declared, “this event needs scholarships!” The hat was passed and instantly there was a scholarship fund!

A decade later, Coppers Classic has a very healthy fund and it is waiting to award full and partial scholarships to as many applicants as funds allow! Applicants must be current members of Handbell Musicians of America, residing in Area 10 or elsewhere in the U.S. or Canada. A Personal or Full-Time Student membership is required. That includes a lot of handbell musicians!

Please help us spread the word. Apply yourself! Invite other a wonderful ringer you know, to apply. Here’s the link: https://coppersclassic.com/scholarships/.

Thank you in advance for helping us get the word out!

 

As I write this, it is New Year’s Eve on the West Coast,  USA. I hope it has been an adventure for you, as well. Coppers Classic is celebrating 11 wonderful years in April 2026, and we can hardly wait for you to be here!

Our repertoire is diverse composed/arranged by handbell’s best. Including the World Premier by the winner of the Area 10 Belltree Composition Contest, “The Way Back Home” by Mark Longfield. Multiple opportunities to ring belltree will be available. There is also an unpublished arrangement by Billy Brandt, and compositions by talented composers from Canada and Hong Kong and rich handbell repertoire you will love to ring.

Dates to Remember

• • January 14: Early Bird Registration Closes
    • Advantages registering early include:
    • You save $50!
    • Your requested ringing positions are given preferred status. It is highly likely that you will be assigned to your first or second choice.
    • You will be in the first round chosen as part of the Belltree “Forest”
  • January 12. Deadline for Scholarship Applications!
    • Coppers Classic has a very healthy scholarship fund.
    • Full and partial scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the (anonymous) award team.
    • Applicants from both within Area 10 and outside are welcome to apply.
    • You may apply for a scholarship even if you received one in a previous year.

To Register go to: https://coppersclassic.com/register/

To apply for a Scholarship go to: https://coppersclassic.com/scholarships/

Fun note: According to “Accu” Weather, temps will be

in the low 60’s and sunny! Yes! In Oregon!! …

Coppers Classic is a massed ringing event for passionate, handbell loving musicians! Imagine spending three days with fellow musicians who love handbells as much as you, who love learning  and are positively over the top excited to bring out the very best in themselves and in the music! Sound like you? Save money by taking advantage of our Early-Bird Registration rate. (Also for full-time students!)

Three BIG Benefits of Early Bird Registration :

1. You save money on registration.
2. You will be in the first group to receive ringing assignments.
3. If you love low bass (we ring from C1-C9) you are more likely to be chosen as one of the wonderful Heavy Metal Musicians of 2026!

Got questions? Please contact us at coppersclassic@gmail.com

 

Mark your calendars for this springs handbell event for Copper level musicians.  We are excited to keep this event moving forward. More details to come!

Look for web page updates and registration to open in October, 2025

Coppers Classic strives to represent music from differnt parts of the globe–voices we may not hear every day. Sandy Winter, from London, England, is talented handbell musician and expert in change ringing and also an accomplished composer. I have chatted with Sandy several times at US National Seminars. One notable “meeting” was in the elevator (I believe in Milwaukie) early on the morning a new Harry Potter novel arrived in bookstores. I believe she had already “dined on” a few chapters!

I appreciate knowing the story behind the compositions I get to ring. Introducing Sandra Winter!

Coppers Classic musicians work hard do that you can enjoy a fantastic concert at the end of our three days together. After hearing from the director the entire time, it’s always a treat to have a chance to hear what our composers have to say about their compositions.

Meet Linda Scholes, a life long musician and talented handbell composer/arranger.

 

 

Wow! Can you believe that yesterday, we crossed the two months to Coppers Classic Concert mark?!! Nearly the entire ringing floor is full. We have a large number of alums and lots of new ringers attending this year. I can hardly wait to be working with long time friends and getting to know new folks.

As of today, there are only five open ringing positions. Once these are filled, we will start a waiting list. Thinking about attending? Now is a good time to leap to your feet, type in this url (coppersclassic.com/register) to register and  join this excellent ensemble. I promise you will work up a good musical sweat on music that will challenge you and dance your way through other selections. And the low basses under Heavy Metal Manager, Carol Flint always succeed in surprising me with mischief at some point in the concert. I can’t remember if it was Ben or Jerry (think “ice cream”) who said it, “if it ain’t fun, why do it”–we’ll have fun. Honest!

RINGING ASSIGNMENTS  should go out within three (3) days. Another good reason to register now!

Resister today! Ring with us in March!!

Happy New Year and Hello, Coppers Classic 2025!!

EARLY BIRD registration closes January 15 (https://coppersclassic.com/register/)
Register early and
1) save some money, and,
2) be at the head of the line for preferred ringing assignments.
3) First Round Assignments will arrive in your inbox on or before January 25th.

Coppers Classic is a massed ringing event for advanced Coppers level handbell musicians held annually in Portland Metro Area in Oregon Ring with great musicians  who’ve come from all over the United States and Canada. Three full days of stretching your limits will culminate in a public concert on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at 4 pm.

If you love handbells, if you have a passion to learn, create the most musical experience of each composition, and celebrate your music making with others who share your joy, then Coppers Classic is for you!

COPPERS CLASSIC  Has a Healthy Scholarship Fund! (https://coppersclassic.com/scholarships/)
1) We award at least one adult and one full-time student scholarship for an Area 10 musician.
2) Additional full and partial scholarships may also be awarded to musicians from outside Area 10 and including BCGEHR and ALGEHR as funds allow.
3) Ellie will pledge $10 to the scholarship fund for every new registrant who signs up by January 8 (the scholarship application deadline). Let’s fatten the scholarship fund!!

Got Questions? Contact us at  coppersclassic@gmail.com
Ellie Hodder, Clinician/Founder
Vanessa Blake, Event Coordinator
Sharon Ross, Registrar