Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir
Encyclopedia
The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir is the internationally acclaimed community handbell
choir from Fort Worth, TX. Founded in 1964 to be a part of the annual Christmas play-pageant The Littlest Wiseman, the choir has evolved into a world-renowned musical organization.
The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir strives to teach and develop in our members self-discipline, self-motivation, consistency of accomplishment, etiquette, and other positive qualities through the art of music and related fields. The essential qualities instilled in our members empower them to be remarkable ambassadors of our city and state throughout the world, demonstrating not only their unique talent but also excellence in decorum and appearance, as a legacy to our founders Mary D. and F. Howard Walsh.
The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir has performed for royalty and diplomats, as well as elderly and underprivileged citizens throughout the world. The choir has made several recordings and recorded with groups including the Gregg Smith Singers and the Texas Boys Choir
. It has brought joy to crowds in varied locations such as schools, retirement centers, local festivals, churches, The Bass Performance Hall
with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Carnegie Hall
with Skitch Henderson
and the New York Pops, the Vatican
for Pope John Paul II
, and Carols by Candlelight
in Adelaide, South Australia
attended by 30,000 people.
The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir has led the way in introducing truly unique ringing traditions and remains the leader in their style. Performing all of its repertoire completely from memory, without a conductor and without the use of tables or gloves, the choir can ring in procession and fit into a variety of spaces. Due to this uniqueness, performances with other choral groups and orchestras are also more easily arranged.
The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir performs a wide-ranging repertoire--from classical to contemporary. Their music varies from the early 16th century "Change Ringing
" to the familiar samba "Brazil". The choir's repertoire is specifically arranged and written for them by their Producing Director Jack Noble White.
The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir performs with approximately thirty members from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
. All members are students. They rehearse for two and a half hours six times a month during the regular school year. The Senior Choir is the performing group. They are mirrored by the Junior Choir which undergoes extensive training while waiting for promotion. The Preparatory Choir is the entry level training group.
Handbell
A handbell is a bell designed to be rung by hand. To ring a handbell, a ringer grasps the bell by its slightly flexible handle — traditionally made of leather, but often now made of plastic — and moves the wrist to make the hinged clapper inside the bell strike...
choir from Fort Worth, TX. Founded in 1964 to be a part of the annual Christmas play-pageant The Littlest Wiseman, the choir has evolved into a world-renowned musical organization.
The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir strives to teach and develop in our members self-discipline, self-motivation, consistency of accomplishment, etiquette, and other positive qualities through the art of music and related fields. The essential qualities instilled in our members empower them to be remarkable ambassadors of our city and state throughout the world, demonstrating not only their unique talent but also excellence in decorum and appearance, as a legacy to our founders Mary D. and F. Howard Walsh.
The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir has performed for royalty and diplomats, as well as elderly and underprivileged citizens throughout the world. The choir has made several recordings and recorded with groups including the Gregg Smith Singers and the Texas Boys Choir
Texas Boys Choir
The Texas Boys Choir was founded under the direction of George Bragg to "provide any boy, regardless of socio-economic or ethnic background a structured environment for the development of a world-class performing choir of boys...
. It has brought joy to crowds in varied locations such as schools, retirement centers, local festivals, churches, The Bass Performance Hall
Bass Performance Hall
The Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas is located in downtown Fort Worth near Sundance Square, occupies a whole city block, and was opened in 1998. It was built entirely with private funds and seats 2,056 people in a city with an estimated 2009 population of 720,250...
with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
with Skitch Henderson
Skitch Henderson
Lyle Russell Cedric “Skitch” Henderson was a pianist, conductor, and composer. His nickname reportedly derived from his ability to quickly "re-sketch" a song in a different key.- Biography :...
and the New York Pops, the Vatican
Apostolic Palace
The Apostolic Palace is the official residence of the Pope, which is located in Vatican City. It is also known as the Sacred Palace, the Papal Palace and the Palace of the Vatican...
for Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, and Carols by Candlelight
Carols by Candlelight
Carols by Candlelight is an Australian Christmas tradition that originated in southeastern Australia in the 19th century and was popularised in Melbourne in the 1930s. The tradition has since spread around the world. It involves people gathering, usually outdoors in a park, to sing carols by...
in Adelaide, South Australia
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
attended by 30,000 people.
The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir has led the way in introducing truly unique ringing traditions and remains the leader in their style. Performing all of its repertoire completely from memory, without a conductor and without the use of tables or gloves, the choir can ring in procession and fit into a variety of spaces. Due to this uniqueness, performances with other choral groups and orchestras are also more easily arranged.
The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir performs a wide-ranging repertoire--from classical to contemporary. Their music varies from the early 16th century "Change Ringing
Change ringing
Change ringing is the art of ringing a set of tuned bells in a series of mathematical patterns called "changes". It differs from many other forms of campanology in that no attempt is made to produce a conventional melody....
" to the familiar samba "Brazil". The choir's repertoire is specifically arranged and written for them by their Producing Director Jack Noble White.
The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir performs with approximately thirty members from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area, a title designated by the U.S. Census as of 2003, encompasses 12 counties within the U.S. state of Texas. The area is divided into two metropolitan divisions: Dallas–Plano–Irving and Fort Worth–Arlington. Residents of the area...
. All members are students. They rehearse for two and a half hours six times a month during the regular school year. The Senior Choir is the performing group. They are mirrored by the Junior Choir which undergoes extensive training while waiting for promotion. The Preparatory Choir is the entry level training group.