This summer, we have planned a very special event in honor of our 100th year: Day of Music on July 13, 2013! This FREE 12-hour festival will showcase Houston’s diverse musical landscape. Attendees will spend the day at Jones Hall listening to dozens of free performances, beginning with a family concert in the morning and ending with a concert of favorite symphonic works in the evening. In between, on several different stages jazz groups, rock and blues bands, ethnic ensembles, choral ensembles and classical music groups will fill the air with a diverse range of sounds. Plus, attendees will have the chance to sample some of Houston’s finest food truck fare next door at Jones Plaza at The Day of Music Food Truck Fair, sponsored by Houston First. Leading up to the event, we will post several stories by our participating artists so that you can have a chance to learn some background information on the music you’ll be hearing at the festival!
Day of Music: July 13, 2013, 9:00 AM-10:00 PM
Featured Artists: The Brookwood Handbell Choir
By: Joyce Henderson, Director
People with disabilities can make beautiful music with handbells. Don’t believe that? Just listen to the Brookwood Handbell Choir!
The Brookwood Handbell Choir is composed of 16 citizens who have mastered playing music with colored scrolls and a set of 3-octave handbells. The system was adapted from the Handbell Musicians of America under the leadership of world renowned pianist, Linda McKechnie, in 2007. Our Choir practices weekly, performing old folk, worship and arranged music from noted handbell artists. The citizens in our Choir range from 30 to 70 years old, with no musical backgrounds. They enjoy playing in the choir because of the team efforts, self-worth and feelings of accomplishment they receive from performing. Their Choir Director, Joyce Henderson, founded the group, also without any former musical training. Since then, she has invested a great deal of time and effort in learning chords, beats and measures and even rang in a handbell choir herself!
The Brookwood Handbell Choir has played for numerous churches, senior groups, private luncheons, and the Houston Astros, where they rang the National Anthem! Their most recent performances include ringing for the Houston Grand Opera, The Houston Symphony Volunteers, and the Brookwood Spring Gala. They also perform regularly at Brookwood for many special occasions.
To learn more about Brookwood, visit www.brookwoodcommunity.org
The Brookwood Handbell Choir will perform at 9:30 a.m. on the outside patio stage.
