Velocity Handbell Ensemble, a non-profit 501c3 corporation, is a community handbell ensemble dedicated to moving the artistry of handbells towards musical excellence and a high standard of performance. Formed in 2001 as a small ensemble(originally with six ringers), Velocity has at the heart of its mission statement the words “have fun.”
Since its inception, Velocity has continued to pioneer handbell performance with its innovative “concept” concerts. To look at the group in concert, one might think that Velocity has painstakingly choreographed its music. Their precision, grace, virtuosity and exquisite musical style has entranced audiences across the country, as well as at home in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their performances blend a unique style of humor, scripting, and quartet ringing at its best. A Velocity concert is definitely more than just a concert – it’s an experience.
Velocity has continually astounded its audiences, first with its ability to play up to six octaves of handbells with six ringers, and more recently up to five octaves with only four ringers. From the historical retrospective of original compositions of the Inspirations concert to the most recent Vintage & Vogue “old and new music” contrast (now available on CD), Velocity continues to create musical performances that are compelling and entertaining.
The term “velocity” is sometimes defined as distance traveled per unit of time. But with Velocity you will experience the movement of music through space. Velocity actually takes its name from the lesser-known dictionary definition: “the rate of change of position in relation to time.” In other words, it’s not just about speed – it’s about having the right rate of speed. You could call that “right rate of speed” movement – just the right amount of movement for each piece: sometimes fast and sometimes slow, but always at the right rate to make music.
If you summed all of this up more succinctly, you could describe the music of Velocity Handbell Ensemble as music that moves.
