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Performance Highlights | Press Kit Information | Friends, Favorites & Sponsors | Dinner Bell |
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Performance Highlights | Press Kit Information | Friends, Favorites & Sponsors | Dinner Bell |
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Strikepoint, from Duluth, Minnesota, is a church-based handbell ensemble with a community group feel. Led by "Player/Coach" Bill Alexander, this eleven-member group performs in a directorless ensemble setting. College students and community members have joined with selected ringers from the seven bell choirs at Duluth's First United Methodist Church to provide a consistently high level of musicianship since Strikepoint began in 1984. 'Pointers are often high school students, and sometimes as young as 13.
Annual summer tours have taken the group throughout the continental U.S. as well as to England, Scotland, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong and Hawaii, with performances in four national capitols, three National Handbell Directors' Seminars, St. Paul's Cathedral in London, the Crystal Cathedral in California and Disneyland.
Strikepoint rings 76 bronze Schulmerich handbells, 36 Schulmerich MelodyChimes, 25 Silver Melody Bells, and an assortment of other instruments, which have included additional percussion, trumpet, viola, clarinet, snare drum and a gong.
Noted for capturing the enthusiasm of audiences with a dynamic style and accessible music, Strikepoint's concert selections can range from flowing Bach to exciting Dave Brubeck, and include both familiar and new music. Strikepoint's newest recording, No LoiteRing, was released in June 2004; other available recordings include three titles on CD, four on cassette, and a concert video. Their recordings have been featured on Minnesota Public Radio's "Morning Show," American Public Radio's "Schickele Mix" and other nationally broadcast programs.
Attitude, toward music and people, is an important factor in considering a potential ringer. Strikepoint's stated philosophy includes the goal of making the very best music possible and experiencing the social interdependence and dynamics found only in a group of this kind. Or, as one member put it, "Good Music, Good Food." Pizza parties and brownies play an important role in the Strikepoint culture. While the ringers take their music seriously, everything else is fair game.
7/7/05
