Malleting Workshop with J.-C. Coolen: (9 am PT/ 10 am MT/ 11 am CT/ 12 pm ET/ 1 pm AT) This practical 1-hour workshop will cover the basics of how to grip mallets, which mallets to use, and where to strike the bell. You will learn how to mallet evenly and smoothly using single and multiple bells, how to transition back and forth between bells and mallets, and how to play suspended mallets with precision. Additional techniques will include mallet rolls, suspended malleting with multiple bells, and tips on maintaining a steady tempo in lengthy malleted passages. A link will be emailed the day before each event.

Clinician: J.-C. Coolen is an active participant and leader in the Greater Toronto Area handbell community. One of the founding members of The Bronze Foundation, Toronto’s auditioned community handbell ensemble, he has served as its Music Director since 2005. Since 2018, he has directed Bronze Foundation Academy, an intermediate community choir under the Bronze Foundation umbrella. He also has directed Bells of Bowmanville at the Bowmanville Seventh-day Adventist Church since 1998. J.-C. is active in the wider handbell world as a handbell clinician and teacher. For 13 years, he served as a member of the Board of Directors OGEHR, including time as President. He has also served as Ontario District Coordinator for Area 2 of the Handbell Musicians of America. He has been ringing since 1989, directing bells since 1998, and ringing bell trees since 2019.