The Austin Handbell Ensemble was founded in September 1995 by Austin area directors and ringers who were interested in establishing a community handbell choir. The AHE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to excellence in ringing and to promoting musical education at all levels. The fifteen member choir is under the direction of Bob Avant and Linda Rutherford.
In addition to performing solo public concerts in the Spring and at Christmas, the AHE enjoys combining forces with other area musical groups, and has done so with the Austin Chamber Ensemble, the Austin Symphonic Band, The ASB Brass Quintet, Cantamos (women's choral group), Grace Notes (small mixed choir), the Hill Country Singers, and the Austin Girl's Choir, and has appeared on John Aielli's Ekliktikos radio program on KUT-FM. The Ensemble is also available for seasonal concerts, weddings, banquets and other occasions.
The AHE hosts an annual full day workshop for area handbell choirs and directors called the Fall Tune Up and provides individual clinicians for special events at other times of the year.
The AHE has recorded new music from Harold Flammer Music (a division of Shawnee Press) and Alfred Music Publishing Company that is produced into promotional CD's and distributed nationwide.
In January of 2002, the AHE was privileged to be one of only seven invited groups to perform at Pinnacle 2002, and international handbell conference for community and professional handbell ensembles held in Florida. Other performers included groups from the Ukraine and Puerto Rico. The AHE has also released three comerical CD's, the most recent of which is titled "Towers: A Synergy Of Sound".
The AHE auditions potential members (in August and January) by having interested ringers attend and rehearse with us for four rehearsals, during which time we have the opportunity to evaluate ringing skills and cohesiveness with the group.
Rehearsals are on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 9:30 and are held at the University Presbyterian Church. Please contact Bob Avant by phone (512-517-3314) or e-mail (handbellguy@yahoo.com) if you are interested in auditioning.