The Bay View Week of Handbells was founded by Don Allured in 1978 as an opportunity for directors to learn more about their instrument. Over the years since then, it grew from classes and a modest-sized ensemble to a concert event with over 100 ringers in the Bay View Association auditorium.
The Week of Handbells commissions compositions in Don’s honor. There have been many magnificent pieces of music premiered at the event because of this. And now, the rest of the story…
The Allured Composition committee asked me to write a piece in August 2016. There apparently was a schedule gap to fill, and they gave me the option to write something for either 2017 or 2018. The trick was that it would have to be finished in just a couple of months to make the earlier date – but that’s what I decided to do.
Carl Wiltse had been directing the Week of Handbells since taking the reins from Don in 2010, and it seemed very appropriate to write the piece in his honor. So, the image that came to mind was of Scotland, where Carl lived, and from there to the coronation of a Scottish king (influenced by one of Kim Finison’s photos of Carl). It even received a Scottish Gaelic title, Crunadh agus Iolach, translated “Coronation and Triumphant Exultation”.
The first version of the score was done in about six weeks, and Embellish (Grand Rapids, Michigan) was willing to read through it. It so happened that Carl was in town that week, so he came to the reading (not knowing of the dedication, by the way). It worked!
Coronation opens with a singing bell drone followed by a G6 shake, imitating the tuning of bagpipes. The procession of the king and his retinue is next, followed by a throne room scene where representatives from the kingdom present their tribute. Then the king smiles and blesses those in the palace. Outside, the Celebration begins as the people rejoice in the new era of peace and hope.
We zoomed through the publication process, and were ready for Bay View 2017. Fred Gramann directed the ensemble, starting with the introduction, “Imagine a king… perhaps his name is Carl…”. It may have been premonitory to have this piece that summer, because it turned out to be the last time Carl was able to make it to the Week of Handbells. I really miss my dear friend, but know that I’ll see him again one day.
Here’s a video of the first-ever performance of Crunadh agus Iolach, which is available from Handbell World.
