MIT: Independent Activities Period: IAP

IAP 2013 Activities by Sponsor - Guild of Bellringers

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Bellringing in Towers

Dennis Wilson, Naomi Schurr

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Participants welcome at individual sessions

What we do: Ring tower bells in permutations (n!), like Paul Revere (and a bunch of English people) at Old North Church and Church of the Advent in Boston.  Learn change-ringing, the traditional British style of ringing bells. We follow mathematical patterns instead of sheet music to ring up to 8 large tower bells with each bell controlled by a single rope. 

Change ringing = Combinatorics + Music. Those changes in the order of the bells’ sounding that constitute a method are governed by 4 rules:  (a) no bell may move more than one position at each change/row; (b) each bell sounds once in each row; (c) no row is repeated; and (d) the ringing begins and ends in Rounds.

Curious?  Learn more on our group website, under the "Ring with Us" section: http://bellringers.scripts.mit.edu/www/, or just come on out and join us!

Please wear comfortable, warm clothes. No previous musical experience necessary.  IAP is a great time for first-time learners!  We often go out to eat after practice, and you are welcome to join us. The Guild of Bellringers is a secular organization. All are welcome.

Meet at Lobby 7 at the designated times (or let us know if you'll be there a little later, so we can wait for you.) T-fare to the tower is provided.

Sponsor(s): Guild of Bellringers
Contact: John Danaher, (917) 312-8253, jsd@alum.mit.edu


Ringing at Church of the Advent

Jan/09 Wed 06:30PM-09:00PM Meet 6:30pm Lobby 7, Ringing begins 7pm, Church of the Advent, Boston
Jan/16 Wed 06:30PM-09:00PM Meet 6:30pm Lobby 7, Ringing begins 7pm, Church of the Advent, Boston
Jan/23 Wed 06:30PM-09:00PM Meet 6:30pm Lobby 7, Ringing begins 7pm, Church of the Advent, Boston
Jan/30 Wed 06:30PM-09:00PM Meet 6:30pm Lobby 7, Ringing begins 7pm, Church of the Advent, Boston

contact John Danaher, jsd@alum.mit.edu

John Danaher


Ringing at Old North Church

Jan/13 Sun 01:30PM-04:00PM Meet 1:30pm Lobby 7, Ringing begins 2pm Old North Church, Boston
Jan/19 Sat 10:30AM-01:00PM Meet 10:30am Lobby 7, Ringing begins 11am Old North Church, Boston
Jan/27 Sun 01:30PM-04:00PM Meet 1:30pm Lobby 7, Ringing begins 2pm Old North Church, Boston

contact Richard Morse, pukku@mac.com

Richard Morse


Change Ringing on Handbells

Dennis Wilson, Naomi Schurr, Elaine Hansen, Cally Perry

Jan/07 Mon 07:00PM-10:00PM 5-232, Come for part or all of the session.
Jan/14 Mon 07:00PM-10:00PM 5-232, Come for part or all of the session.
Jan/21 Mon 07:00PM-10:00PM 36-144, Come for part or all of the session.
Jan/28 Mon 07:00PM-10:00PM 36-144, Come for part or all of the session.

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Repeating event, particpants welcome at any session

An introduction to the traditional British way of ringing bells called change ringing. Because of the way the bells are hung in a church tower, we do not ring tunes on the bells. Instead, we ring permutations of the bell orders by following particular mathematical patterns. It's music! It's a realtime multiplayer orientation game! It's the most fun you'll ever have counting to eight!  Come give it a try. No previous musical experience necessary. All are welcome.

Sponsor(s): Guild of Bellringers
Contact: Naomi Schurr, (310) 561-0286, NSCHURR@MIT.EDU