New Bern, North Carolina
October 2-5, 2008

Join Us to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Distinctly Bronze!

If performing is your passion, Distinctly Bronze, the massed ringing event for advanced ringers, offers the unparalleled opportunity to play on the largest sets of handbells available under the baton of maestro David Davidson.

Register early – the number of participants is limited!

Date:  October 2-5, 2008

  Location: New Bern, North Carolina

Rehearsals & Concert:  New Bern Riverfront Convention Center
Lodging:  Sheraton New Bern Hotel and Marina

The event registration fee for Distinctly Bronze includes three meals (Thursday dinner, Saturday & Sunday lunches), a Friday afternoon cookie break, a 2008 Distinctly Bronze Polo Shirt, and a recording of the final concert.

What is Distinctly Bronze?
This massed ringing event for advanced ringers offers the unique opportunity to perform on the largest sets of handbells available.  Maestro David Davidson is the director for this event.  Rehearsals Thursday through Sunday lead up to the Sunday afternoon concert.  Registration is limited to 114 ringers.

How do I attend?
First-time attendees ask directing and ringing colleagues to submit recommendations based on first-hand observations, and are also asked to submit a ringer information form.  Please see the “New Attendee Packet” for further information.  Alumni in good standing merely submit a registration form and Ringing Preference Form.  All completed applications are processed as they are received until the available slots are filled.  Registrants are required to be affiliated with an active AGEHR membership—either personally or through a church or organization. If you are uncertain if your organization holds an active AGEHR membership, or if you would like to join the Guild, please call 800-878-5459

Returning attendees should complete a Registration Form and Ringing Preferences Form

Where do we meet?
We are returning for a third year to the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center which is located on the waterfront of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, adjacent to the downtown and historic district. New Bern is a small and friendly town that is the second oldest city in North Carolina, as well as the home of the first capital of the state. The history of the area contrasts with the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center and features a spacious ballroom for our rehearsals, meals and concert. There are restaurants and shops within a four block walk.

Where will we stay?
The Sheraton New Bern Hotel and Marina is located on the banks of the Trent River next to the Riverfront Convention Center and within walking distance of specialty shops, restaurants, and the city’s historic district. Most of the guest rooms offer breathtaking river views, and signature amenities which include the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed and high speed internet access.  A hot, buffet breakfast is included with your room.

All registrants are requested to use the official housing – the Sheraton New Bern Hotel and Marina.  Non resident participants are charged a higher registration fee.

  Please note the following:

• To make your reservation, call the Sheraton at 252.638.3585 or toll free at 1-800-326-3745 and indicate that you are with the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (be sure to use this full name so the agent can find our group.
• A credit card is required to hold your room.
• You are responsible for finding your own roommate(s) – you can contact the Dayton office to indicate your interest. 
• To avoid the non-resident registration fee, make your reservations at the Sheraton early. The Sheraton will provide us with a list of registered participants.  If your name is NOT on this list, the non-resident registration fee will apply unless you have been issued a waiver in advance by AGEHR due to a confirmed shortage of rooms.
• The latest you can reserve a room in our block at the specified rate is September 1, 2008. However, our block can fill before that date. After that date, if rooms are available, they will be provided at the regular rate.
• Check-in/check-out 
  Check-in is 3:00 PM and check-out is at 12:00 PM.  If you would like to arrange for early check-in, please notify the agent taking your registration and they will do their best to accommodate you.  The hotel is prepared to hold baggage if you arrive before your room is ready.  Both the hotel and the convention center will have space for baggage storage after check-out on Sunday.
• Cancellation Policy
  Reservations must be cancelled prior to 4:00 PM on the day before your scheduled arrival to avoid penalty.
• Daily Room Rates
  are $129 plus taxes for singles and doubles. Additional fees will apply for triple and quad occupancy. Parking is free!  A hot, buffet breakfast is included in the room rate.
• Complementary Airport Shuttle
  The hotel offers a complimentary airport shuttle.  To take advantage of this service, call the hotel from the courtesy phones provided in the airport baggage claim area after you have claimed your bags.  You may also call the hotel at 252-638-3585 to arrange for shuttle pick-up.

Registration Costs & What Is Included   
“Resident” participants utilizing the Sheraton New Bern (Thursday through Saturday nights) pay a registration fee of $270.  For those who make lodging arrangements elsewhere for any of the event nights (Thursday-Saturday), the “non-resident” registration fee is $320.

In addition to working with David Davidson, your registration fee includes three meals, beverage breaks, a Friday afternoon cookie break, a 2008 Distinctly Bronze Polo Shirt, and a recording of the final concert.  You also have the opportunity to ring with talented colleagues and network with other friendly AGEHR members.  Additional meals, polo shirts or CDs can be ordered by completing the appropriate line on the Registration Form.

William H. Griffin Scholarship
This fund offers one scholarship to the 2008 event.  The scholarship provides full registration, one half occupancy of a hotel room selected by AGEHR and up to $300 for travel expenses. Applications are now available with a submission deadline of May 1st.  Both alumni and first timers can apply.

Ringing Assignments
are based on your position in the registration sequence and your response to the Ringing Assignments form.  Ringing assignments will NOT be confirmed until full payment for the event has been received.   You are expected to rehearse the music before you arrive in New Bern – our time together is for making music, not learning notes!

Distinctly Bronze CD Recording
A quality digital recording of the final concert will be made again this year.  Your registration includes one CD that will be mailed to you after the event.

The repertoire list
will be sent to you in early summer, and you are responsible for purchasing and rehearsing the music. Repertoire notes regarding problem solving, corrections and other items may be sent at various times before the event.

  Deposit

A $100 deposit is required to enter your registration unless you are applying for the Griffin Scholarship.  That deposit is refundable only when:

• A first time applicant is not accepted
• An individual on the wait list is not offered a slot, or declines a slot offered after 9/1/08.

CANCELLATION POLICY AND REFUNDS This policy applies to refunds for ANY reason, including medical, family and business.   This policy applies even if we fill your slot with another ringer.  If you desire, you can receive a copy of the DB2008 recording at no charge if you cancel.

Fee refunds minus the $100 deposit will be made for written or email cancellations received by 7/31/08.  Cancellations received by 9/1/08 will be refunded 50% of registration fee less deposit; after 9/1/08, registration is not refundable. 

Event Schedule

Following is the schedule for this year’s event.  Please note the following changes to previous event schedules:

•  Activities will begin 2 hours later on Thursday to allow more time for Thursday morning arrivals, hopefully saving some of you the cost of an extra night in the hotel.   There are several flights into New Bern and Raleigh that are scheduled to arrive earlier enough for you to make the Welcome Announcements at 2:30 PM.
• On last year’s event evaluations, many requested more time to ring and less free time.  So, we’ve added a rehearsal on Saturday evening.
  
  

  Thursday, October 2

Registration Procedure:

  Item

Ringer Evaluation    
DB is unique in the skill and commitment of our ringers.   Every year, ringer event comments urge us to preserve and improve the level of ringing. To this end, all DB ringers are evaluated each year, and placed in one of three categories.  Those awarded Alumni status are automatically accepted at a future DB event.  Others may receive a warning letter which, while allowing the ringer to be accepted at a future DB event, outlines areas of improvement which would need to be evident at the ringer’s next DB appearance.  Finally, ringers whose preparation or skills were not deemed acceptable will be asked to reapply to attend any future DB event.

In 2008, we will be using an evaluation process which will include evaluation by the director and other observers.  Details will be provided at the event.  Your cooperation will be valued in our attempt to create a system that is fair while promoting an expected level of excellence in both preparation and presentation.

Dress  
For rehearsals, casual and comfortable attire is suggested, and layers are a good idea. Evenings may be cool, so include warm clothes. Make sure your shoes will allow you to stand during long rehearsals.  Rain is always a possibility!

Concert dress
will be your 2008 Distinctly Bronze Polo Shirt and appropriate black skirt or slacks. Black gloves will be used for the concert.

Meals   
Your registration includes the following meals: Thursday night dinner, a Friday cookie break, Saturday lunch, and Sunday lunch.  You have many options for other meals - there are at least thirteen restaurants within a four block walk of the convention center and hotel.

Will I need a car?
Probably not!  As noted above, there are many restaurants within walking distance of the convention center and hotel. And, to be honest, our busy rehearsal schedule doesn’t give you much time to venture too far.  As for that precious free time on Friday, there are several options within a short walk.  Information regarding these options is available at www.visitnewbern.com.

Getting to New Bern
New Bern has an airport (code EWN), which is serviced by USAirways Express from Charlotte and by Delta from Atlanta.   The Sheraton New Bern offers a free airport shuttle to the hotel.  Simply call the hotel from the courtesy phones provided in the baggage claim area after you have claimed your bags.

More airlines serve Raleigh (code RDU), which is about 115 miles from New Bern.

If performing is your passion, Distinctly Bronze, the massed ringing event for advanced ringers, offers the unparalleled opportunity to play on the largest sets of handbells available under the baton of maestro David Davidson.

Plan ahead for 2009:
Distinctly Bronze 2009
New Bern, North Carolina
October 8-11, 2009