Episodes

Season 2: Episode 13 -- Distinctly East and Crescendo 2025 Preview with P.L. Grove

Released November 26, 2024

Nick and Brian put on slightly different hats to talk with P.L. Grove about the upcoming Distinctly Bronze East and Crescendo events, and talk especially about the repertoire choices for the event.

Distinctly Bronze Website

Season 2: Episode 11 -- The Origin of the Handbell -L

Released October 15, 2024

Brian and Nick talk with Jason Tiller and Laurie Sanders about the origin of the Handbell-L from its origins on a NASA JPL computer through the many late nights Rusty Sanders spent keeping the platform up and running.

Season 2: Episode 9 -- Commissioning for Dummies

Released September 17, 2024

Brian and Nick talk about commissioning a composer to write or arrange a piece for you and your ensemble. With their experience on both sides of the commission, they talk about the commissioning process from things to consider before asking all the way to how to reach out to composers to ask for the commission.

Season 2: Episode 7 -- Two Tacos High Symposium Special, with Arthur Syin

Released September 3, 2024

Two Tacos High spends a night out at the International Handbell Symposium, joined by Handbell Ringers of Japan International Liaison, Arthur Syin.

Hanai Handbells

Season 2: Episode 5 -- The Road to International Symposium, Part 3 with Tim Willetts

Released July 9, 2024

Brian and Nick talk to Executive Director of the International Handbell Committee, Tim Willetts about what makes International Handbell Symposia special to him, his role as Executive Director of the IHC, and a preview of the 2026 Symposium in Aberdeen, Scotland!

Season 2: Episode 3 -- The Road to International Symposium, Part 2 with Ali O'Connell

Released June 11, 2024

Brian and Nick talk with Australian handbell ringer and director Ali O'Connell about the handbell programs in Australia, experiences at past International Symposia, and even start making plans for the 2026 symposium in Aberdeen!

Link to Timothy Sherlock's handbell music

We were so excited to hear from Carmel Davidson, President of the Handbell Society of Australasia, after this episode aired! Here are additional notes she wanted to share with us:

I am Carmel Daveson and am dropping you a note as the President of the Handbell Society of Australasia to thank you for including Ali O’Connell in your programme.  I enjoyed listening to you all. As Ali mentioned she hasn’t been involved with HSA for some time now.  Hence I thought I would let you know the answer to a few of your questions.

We are in the early discussion stage about holding our first Australasian Handbell Festival since COVID in Melbourne, Victoria next year. Fingers crossed it will happen.  Many of our handbell / handchime musicians cannot afford the expense of an International Symposium, nor can they play at the technical level required at a symposium.  Hence this is an important event.

I have been quietly working for many years behind the scene, to encourage the formation of an Asian/ Pacific alliance embracing the countries of Thailand, Taiwan, Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Year. To my great pleasure we have now formed it and I had the honour of chairing the first meeting.  We have adopted our Terms of Reference setting out our purpose and operational matters.  At our international handbell committee (IHC) meeting in Japan, I will be moving that this alliance is given a formal status as the first sub-committee ever formed as part of the IHC.  My motivation for persevering with this initiative was to implement the IHC’s vision which is “Communication between Nations, Handbells as a musical art form and World Peace through the spirit of Music.

In this troubled world it is even more important than ever that music as a universal language, fosters individual, group and national relationships and cultural understanding.

The other thing which might interest you is that Timothy Sherlock’s  (my friend and colleague and also one of our 2 HSA  Vice Presidents) piece of music “Creation of the Great Barrier Reed” was developed through collaboration with one of our First Nation families in Cairns.  Their story line was that Bhiral was angered after two brothers went out fishing, and speared a particular fish that they had been told not to hunt. Bhiral, the creator, threw lava from the sky. The sea started to rise to a great height. Actually the story has archaeological significance as the sea did take over the beach and did recede after centuries. Our First Nation people have been the custodians of our land for over 60,000 years. Prior to sea level rise and the Reef forming over 7000 years ago, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lived on what is now the seafloor, and cultural knowledge of this time’s practices and sites still remains. After the Reef formed, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples cared for their Sea Country through interweaving their culture and spirituality with sustainable use of its resources. Despite historical events of dispossession and displacement, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people maintain connection to their land and Sea Country. After much searching, I found the family group and facilitated their decision to allow their story to be captured in handbell and handchime music. I asked Timothy to collaborate with the family group and hence the composition.

Your other question related to when HSA became a member of the International Handbell Committee.  HSA was formed n 1983 and the IHC was established in 1990.  HSA was an inaugural member.

Thank you once again for interviewing one of our members.  I hope to see you in Japan.

Take care

Carmel

Season 2: Episode 1 -- Handbell Hangout - One Year Anniversary with Dean Jensen, Paul Weller, Derek Nance, and Bryce Nance

Released May 7, 2024

Brian and Nick are joined by the original handbell podcasters, Dean Jensen and Paul Weller, as well as Derek and Bryce Nance from the Handbell Brothers' Blog to celebrate the one year anniversary of Two Tacos High!

Here is the Drunquen Kwartet!

Don't forget to check out our NEW Events page!

Season 1: Episode 23 -- The Road to International Symposium, Part 1 with Damien Lim

Released March 26, 2024

Brian and Nick talk with Damien Lim, Executive Director of Handbell Ringers of Singapore and Principal Conductor & Artistic Director for the Ministry of Bellz about handbell programs in Singapore, experiences at past Symposia, and what we are looking forward to at this upcoming Symposium!

Season 1: Episode 21 -- The Great Handbell Myth-Bust

Released February 27, 2024

Brian and Nick take on some of the biggest handbell myths and misconceptions (and throw in a few physics and history lessons in the process!).

Season 1: Episode 19 -- 🎶 Do You Want to Start a Bell Choir? 🎶

Released January 30, 2024

Now that you have that earworm in your head, join Nick and Brian as they talk through the process of starting a handbell ensemble at your church along with tips and tricks for finding equipment, recruiting, and finding appropriate repertoire.

We mention it in the podcast so we thought we would include an article about why AGO cannot post salary recommendations anymore.

Season 1: Episode 17 -- Podcast of the Bells

Released December 19, 2023

There's no escaping it when you play bells around the holidays. Join Nick and Brian as they review some of the many different handbell arrangements of "that bell tune", Carol of the Bells.

Season 1: Episode 15 -- Handbell Hangout - Thanksgiving with Greg Hanson, Eric Hanson, and Diane Seemann 🦃

Released November 21, 2023

Brothers Eric and Greg, and mother Diane join us for a Thanksgiving themed Handbell Hangout to talk family traditions, favorite childhood memories, and poolside parakeets!

Season 1: Episode 13 -- Get to Know Your Handbell Musicians of America Board!

Released October 17, 2023

Newly elected President-Elect Kathryn Jurado, and At-Large members Lynn Atkins, Dave Harris, and Kath Wissinger join us to talk about what got them into handbells, how they got connected with the Guild, and their plans for the next six years on the Board of Handbell Musicians of America.

More about the National Board of Directors.

Season 1: Episode 11 -- HANDBELL HANGOUT, To Glove or Not To Glove? with Josh Fitzgerald, Michèle Sharik, and Justin Wooten 

Released September 19, 2023

Gloves or no gloves? Michèle Sharik, Josh Fitzgerald, and Justin Wooten join us in a special Handbell Hangout episode to answer the biggest question in handbells!

Season 1: Episode 9 -- A Handbell Can Make How Many Sounds?!? with Dr. Christian Guebert

Released August 22, 2023

Dr. Christian Guebert joins us to talk about his dissertation on the "Timbral Use of the Handbell Ensemble", proposals for the handbell ensemble to reach its full potential, and the importance of connecting the handbell world with the greater musical world.

Dr. Guebert's Dissertation - Timbral Use of the Handbell Ensemble: Background, Analysis, and Strategies

His dissertation piece -"Voyaging" for mixed chorus, large handbell ensemble, and harp

Season 1: Episode 7 -- National Seminar Recap with Two Minutes for Two Tacos

Released July 25, 2023

Nick and Brian talk the three "C's" of National Seminar (Classes, Concerts, and Community) and share their "Two Minutes for Two Tacos" live interviews from the Handbell Commons! Thank you to everyone who participated in our interviews. 

National Seminar program booklet

Handbell Musicians of America YouTube Page

Season 1: Episode 5 -- Scratching That Ringing Itch

Released June 27, 2023

Itching for more handbells? Nick and Brian talk about the many handbell events taking place over the summer, from Area Festivals to Bay View to church music conferences.

Handbell Musicians of America Networking Page - Find national, area, state, and local events here, network with fellow handbell musicians, and find information about products, services, and other organizations.

Week of Handbells - The Advanced Handbell Event in Bay View, Michigan

Season1: Episode 3 -- The Origin Story with Michael Kastner  

Released May 30, 2023

Conductor, clinician, and solo ringer Michael Kastner joins us to talk about the origin story of the phrase "two tacos high", the history of SEE and STEP, and his experience teaching (and of course continuing to learn) at handbell events around the country.

Season 1: Episode 1 -- Welcome to Two Tacos High!   

Released May 5, 2023

So we have a podcast, but who are we and why are we talking to you about handbells? Plus - What to expect from future episodes.