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Home > Articles > Strikepoint of Texas

Strikepoint of Texas

“Hooray for Handbells!”

 

We at Jeffers Handbell Supply couldn't agree more and so this title for the 25th Anniversary Celebration Concert by Strikepoint of Texas brings a smile to our faces.

 

In 1991, Melanie Bankston sent information out to ringers in the Houston area to find out if there was any interest in forming a community handbell group. The result was overwhelming; overwhelming in a good way, that is. And so, Strikepoint of Texas was born.

 

Melanie received so many positive responses to her idea of a community handbell group that Strikepoint of Texas was originally made up of TWO full 5-octave choirs to accommodate all of the ringers who wanted to be a part of the group. Each group met and practiced separately, one on Monday mornings and the other on Tuesday evenings; they performed their own pieces, then joined to play several together. The first concert was December 9, 1991.

 

Currently, there are 14 ringers who practice 2 hours each week (with an occasional Saturday rehearsal) on 5 octaves of Schulmerich handbells and 5 octaves of Malmark handchimes. They present two concerts per season; a Christmas concert in December and a spring concert in late April/early May. Tammy Waldrop is the director.

 

Strikepoint has played for a variety of community events, including 4th of July celebrations, at retirement homes and for church worship services. They have even played carols in some of the local grocery stores during the Christmas season.

 

But Strikepoint isn't just a locally-known handbell group; they have also performed in Williamsburg and Annapolis, Virginia and Washington, DC. In June of 1993, they traveled to England and Scotland for a concert tour, then to Austria, Germany and Belgium in 1996 for a second international tour.

 

Favorite titles include: “The Sure Foundation” arranged by Arnold Sherman (which will be on the upcoming Anniversary Concert); “Procession of Praise” by Arnold Sherman; “Dance of the Western Sky” (dedicated to Strikepoint) by Tammy Waldrop; and “What a Wonderful World” arranged by Sandra Eithun.

 

Connect with Strikepoint via their website or their Facebook page. Questions or comments can be emailed to info@strikepointoftexas.com or call 281-689-1630 for more information.

 

And remember, if you're in the Houston area on Thursday, April 28th or Friday the 29th, you don't want to miss the Anniversary Concert, “Hooray for Handbells!”, at 7:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood, located at: 5520 Kingwood Dr. in Kingwood, TX 77345. Pre-concert events begin at 6:45.

 

Happy Anniversary Strikepoint!


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