Volume III The 1981 Allegro Handbell Choir Released: 1981 Original Medium: Vinyl Record, 33 rpm Bronze Edition Released: 2011 Medium: Compact Disc [BUY NOW]

Historical Note
Volume III was the last record pressed by the choir, but was first the recording to feature Allegro's current director, Michael Surratt.  It was recorded studio-style in early 1981, and contains about 45 minutes of music.  Side one is holiday music, while side two presents four original handbell compositions and an implementation of Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag, which was performed directly from the piano score.   The length of each piece was not originally printed on the record jacket, but was determined when the recording was remastered for The First 40 Years (Volume XI), on which some cuts appear.

From the Jacket

The Allegro Handbell Ensemble, formed in 1967, is composed of fourteen high school age members with four to seven years’ ringing experience. All of them read music and display strong interest in music, and their outside interests are as varied as they. The bell ringers perform with five octaves (61) of Schulmerich bells, made in Sellersville, Pennsylvania.

An integral part of the music program at Union Church of Hinsdale (United Church of Christ), the group also performs for a variety of civic, charitable, educational, and professional organizations, as well as guest apperances at other churches.

They have toured extensively in the United States and Europe, and performed in Canada and New England in June 1981.

The first nine tracks are arrangements of music associated with the Christmas season. The remaining music, with the exception of track 14, consists of original compositions for handbells. The Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin is played directly from the piano score.

About the Director

Additional Information from the Allegro Bronze Edition: Michael B. Surratt became Director of Music and Organist of Union Church in early 1979. A church organist since the age of twelve, he has toured Europe and played organ recitals throughout the Midwest and Southeast and has been featured on several Chicago-area radio stations. Originally from North Carolina, he attended the North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio and a Master of Music from Northwestern University in Illinois.

Mr. Surratt has served as an Adjunct Instructor of Organ at Elmhurst College in Illinois and continues to be active in several professional musical organizations. He writes for Overtones, a handbell industry journal, and serves on the Communications Committee of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.

This Allegro Bronze Edition album represents Mr. Surratt’s first recording endeavor with the Allegro Handbell Ensemble, which was recorded studio-style in the sanctuary of Union Church.

The final track, With the Angels, Let Us Sing, was comissioned for the ensemble and is one of Mr. Surratt’s favorite works. This 2009 recording is from Mr. Surratt’s last recording with the ensemble. Carl Wiltse’s original music features the melody from Silent Night during the handchime interlude.

Track List

Recording Credits

The Ringers: Nancy Bogg, Laura Bull, Susan Coats, Lynn Compton, Anne Girton, Jim Holt, Laura Junta, Kristin Lawrence, Caroline Muller, Jennifer Purdy, John Purdy, Tammy Teschner, Martin White, and Edith Wood.

Recorded in the Sanctuary of The Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 South Garfield Avenue, Hinsdale, Illinois 60521 on January 25 and February 1, 1981.

Producer: Michael Surratt
Recording Engineer: Gerald G. LeCompts
Record Album Coordinator: J. R. Stemke, Elite Records, Schaumburg, IL
Cover Design and Photography by: Bruce Chlevin
Graphics: Warren Hannas, Vision Studios, LaGrange, IL

Allegro Bronze Edition Recording Credits

Digital Remastering, Post Production, and 1990 Recording Engineer: Gerald G. LeCompte

1999 Recording Engineer: Robert Atkins

2011 Instrument Photography and Graphic Design: Daniel M. Reck, www.forzandoArts.com

Track 9 Musicians: Daniel M. Reck conducting the 1999 Allegro Handbell Ensemble: Marie Becker, Gregory Berns, Trace Carter, Matthew Dickerson, Laura Dieli, Emily Jensen, Jessica Jung, Jennifer Knuepfer, Sarah Libby,
Kim Lockhart, Christopher Lubenow, and J.J. Stocker with Michael B. Surratt.

Track 10 Musicians: Michael B. Surratt conducting the 2009 Allegro Handbell Ensemble: Lizzy Brady, Chris Davey, Michael Doose, Peter Elias, Erik Jaworski, Anna Krainc, Catherine Nienhouse, Jonathon Schwarzbauer, Ali Sunseri,
Leah Tarabour, Andy Tuggle, and Brandon Woodle.