Nashville's Premier Community Handbell Ensemble

• About Us

  Our mission statement:
  "To reach for higher levels of musicianship in handbells/handchimes and to promote, educate and share the passion of handbell/handchime music with the community"

  Music City Bronze is Nashville’s premier community handbell ensemble and was founded in 2006 by former Principal Conductor and Artistic Director John Pfeiffer, and by former organization President and ringing member Susan Nance. We are a non-profit, 501(C)(3) organization and fully affiliated with the Handbell Musicians of America.

  

• Booking Information

  Booking Information

  Engaging Music City Bronze

  Music City Bronze is available for a variety of performance types. Performance space and parking needs are flexible depending on the venue.

  Private events: Music City Bronze is available for weddings, parties and other private events. Performance fees are $750 per set. A set includes event set up and break down, and 45 minutes of music.

  Featured Concerts for non-profit organizations: Music City Bronze is always interested in supporting schools, churches, faith-based and other non-profit organizations. Music City Bronze must be the featured performance for such events. Depending upon the resources and location of the organization, an honorarium, free-will offering, or combination will be requested.

  Multi-group performance events: Under certain circumstances, Music City Bronze will participate in concert events featuring multiple ensembles. In such cases, we require significant input in the overall event to ensure that our style and contribution is aligned. Compensation for such events is negotiable.

  Other event types: If you would like to book Music City Bronze for another type of event that is not covered in our engagement guidelines, please contact us. Our Board of Directors will respond with our availability and fees promptly!

  To schedule a performance of Music City Bronze, use the Contact Us form on this website.

  

• Auditions and Membership

  Auditions

  Due to the ongoing pandemic, Music City Bronze regrets to announce that formal auditions for membership are temporarily on hold. We will resume our biannual auditions (every other year in April) when the pandemic is over. Auditions are open to all experienced handbell musicians whose ringing skills are Level 3 or higher and who are at least 16 years of age.

  Auditions: All potential ringing members must participate in the group’s biannual formal audition. If you are interested in auditioning, please use the Contact Us form on this website. Please include your name, email address, a description of your ringing experience and your preferred bell assignments/positions. If you have never been a member of Music City Bronze, you are required to bring a Letter of Reference from a handbell director confirming your ringing ability and ensemble dependability. This should include an assessment of rehearsal and concert demeanor and attendance record. This letter must be presented when you arrive at the audition.

  Rehearsal Times and Policies: Music City Bronze rehearses for 2 hours every Monday evening from August through November, with at least 4 or more live concerts in December at various dates, times and locations. Members may not miss more than two rehearsals per year unless specific arrangements are made with the conductor. Every August, each member is required to pay an annual membership fee of $50. Concert attire is provided by the group at no expense to the member. Additionally, copies of our formal “Ringer’s Handbook” are available by request.

  Observing a Rehearsal: Anyone interested in observing a rehearsal may do so. Music City Bronze rehearses in the Donelson area for 2 hours every Monday evening from August through November. You can use the Contact Us form on our website to schedule a visit.

  

• Quartet

  MCB 4 Quartet

  As ambassadors for Music City Bronze, Middle Tennessee’s premier community handbell ensemble, the mission of the MCB 4 handbell quartet is to assist in introducing and sharing the joy of handbell ringing with a wide variety of audiences, and to demonstrate the versatility, beauty and exuberance of this charming and graceful pitched percussion instrument.

  

Meet the newest addition to the Music City Bronze collection of handbells: the C2 bell! This bell is pitched three octaves below middle C and is made of aluminum rather than bronze, meaning you don't have to be a championship weight lifter to ring it!