Coppers Classic

I met Billy Brandt at HMA National Seminar last year in Kansas. Billy teaches handbells and choirs in Wisconsin. I was introduced to him while attending the Unpublished Reading Session. I immediately liked his treatment this setting of “Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair,”particularly that the text of the song “lives” so nicely as expressed by handbells. I asked him if I could use it for our upcoming Coppers Classic and you will get to ring it for the very first time at a festival. Here is what he had to say:

Billy has several other published and unpublished pieces available (I’ve used 3 so far this year!) I’m looking forward to hearing more from him in coming years.

THERE’S STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR the few remaining positions in Coppers Classic 2026. Register now to be in the first round as ringing positions are chosen for the event. Click the “Register” tab.

Coppers Classic 2026 is nearly filled! There are a few ringing positions still available, including a couple prized low bass positions. Could a few big bass bells  belong to you for a weekend? We are open to teaching the right folk with lots of motivation and interest in learning to ring with the best of the “Bucketeers”! It could be you If,

• You love ringing in the low  bass and have access to bells to C3,
• You have  good skills on lifting heavy objects and do so protecting  your back, shoulders,  and arms,
• You have a positive, “Yes I can” attitude and a love of learning.

Meet Carol Flint, Heavy Metal Manager Extraordinaire! She is brilliant at helping bass ringers excel. She is patient, clear and a great teacher. Under her tutelage, I always have a brilliant bass section. AND, I’m pretty sure every single Coppers Classic has had the best “good trouble” mischievous prank of the weekend brought to us by our amazing bass bell musicians!

NOT a bass musician but looking forward to a fabulous weekend of ringing with a group of motivated and energized handbell musicians? Go to the “Register” link in the event menu and sign up now. Ringing assignments will show up in the inboxes of registered musicians in roughly one week.

We have extended our date for early bird pricing till 1/24/2026.  The scholarship deadline is also open till 1/24/25. Please spread the word and invite friends. This should be a fun event.

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!