Handbell Musicians of America

[Carmel Daveson HSA]

Carmel T Daveson AM; President, Handbell Society of Australasia.

On behalf of the members of the Handbell Society of Australasia (HSA) I honour a great man “Donald Allured”. Throughout the years, Don has inspired many members of HSA even though very few of us ever met him. His written material has reached almost every nook and crook of the two countries of HSA: New Zealand and Australia.

Although I did not have the privilege of meeting Don an icon of the Handbell world, I will never forget him. I trace my handbell life back to Don’s book. My little story will tell you why!

When I had no real knowledge of handbells I discovered one of his books and it became my “handbell bible”. Many years later in 2004 my late husband and I were touring Canada. To my excitement one of the tourists on the bus lived near one of Don’s children. I raved about how Don had influenced me across the thousands and thousands of miles between our two countries. Through that contact I emailed Don’s son who forwarded my email onto Don. To my amazement I received a reply from Don. The email was not only very warm and supportive but very humble. He simply said that he was so happy to learn that someone so far away had found this little booklet useful.

On behalf of the Handbell Society of Australasia, I write to offer our thoughts and memories of a man who enriched many people’s lives through the art of handbell ringing. Don has demonstrated to us all that a truly great and gifted person is also a humble one.

[Oonah Caldwell]

"Dear Don , A Gentleman - a Great man. - Kind, gentle and understanding, yet the very essence of a professional musician. He knew exactly what was needed in bellringing, organ and composition to say the least. His belief was great in the goodness of God who gave him so many wonderful talents. He used these gifts with a thankful heart, helping so many people.
We can celebrate his life remembering his love of people and music. It was a great privilege to meet him in 2000 with his wonderful Bayview WOH ringers. A memory we will always cherish.
This is a sad time for his family and friends. We feel for them all. Our sincere and loving thoughts and prayers are particularly with all his dear family." Oonah and David Caldwell New Zealand. Handbell Society of Australasia

[Martyn Croft, HSA]

At the beginning of my association with handbells, I too, discovered his writings and compositions and as then a raw beginner in the world of ringing, I looked to his wisdom, skill and advice to guide my own thinking and approach. One of the key phrases in his text book, that I pondered and that became a mainspring for my own endeavours, both as a ringer and as a Musical Director of other ringers, ran something to the effect that: "In handbell ringing, ringing the right note at the right time is only the beginning, not the end."

In his passing we mourn the departure from this world of a major figure in the history of handbell ringing. At the same time, we rejoice in the inspiration that his writings, his music and, supremely, Donald himself have become for so many, throughout the world of handbell ringing.
Martyn Croft
Tasmanian State Representative
Handbell Society of Australasia

[Alison Wood Canada]

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Donald Allured. He had such an influence on the handbell world! By the time I was teaching in the late 1970s, we were using his book as the only real text that was available. It was the dream of our Schulmerich representative, John Nelson, to get Donald Allured up to Canada. It took him a bit of time to convince people we were ready for a workshop with "The Master" but John continued to push. By the time Don came to Alberta in October of 1983, he was the acknowledged expert in ringing, and I was thrilled that everyone there actually heard his message that "playing the right note at the right time is only the beginning!" He pushed us toward excellence, gave us techniques to go beyond, and his visit resulted in a new level of performance for the ringers in attendance, new techniques for the teachers to take back to their classrooms, and most importantly - the formation of the first handbell guild in Canada - the Alberta Guild in 1984. If Carol Petrie was still with us I am sure she would add here that the Saskatchewan Guild, formed shortly thereafter, was also started in that room. Mr. Allured attended part of that first meeting of handbell enthusiasts, listened attentively, and gave measured advice, but only when asked. He was invited back to conduct our first festival in 1984.

I will always think of Donald Allured as one of the founding fathers of the instrument I love. Through his books and workshops, handbells were no longer a novelty instrument that made church worship more interesting on special occasions and facilitated note reading in school children. They became a truly musical instrument, requiring a team of people to work and think as one, in order to make music that was genuinely heavenly. The people trained by Donald Allured became the teachers, armed with a variety of techniques and exercises guaranteed to achieve musicality, to solve previously impossible ringing problems, and to settle for nothing less than excellence.

This has been a sad year of huge loss for the American Guild and, by association, for the handbell ringers of the world. To the families of Donald Allured, as well as David Davidson and the other pioneers before them - their ringing families and the people lucky enough to share their daily lives - the hearts and prayers of people all over the world are with you. May it give you some sense of peace to know that the person you loved definitely made a difference and left this world a better place, contributing great beauty and the desire to aim higher to the lives of countless people all over the planet. That legacy will continue to grow on Earth, even now.
Wishing you God's Peace and Blessing,
Alison Wood
Canada

[Jeff Fleming]

So many memories have stirred in me in viewing the Don Allured memorial page and the many heartfelt responses- they only begin to paint a portrait of this great and humble musician.

Beyond the many breathless moments under his baton over decades, I cherish the honor of him being a family friend- gentle, caring, warm, and at times, hilarious! Special memories include sunset cruises aboard Silverthorne II on Lake Michigan, surprising Don with a "Save the Bells" shirt at Bayview WOH, listening to him recount musical tales while sitting in our jacuzzi, sitting at the kitchen table with him and being challenged to a higher level of commitment to musical excellence!- Undeserved grace that I will never adequately appreciate.
My favorite Allured quote:

[Mike Curry]

One of the sweetest kindest men I have had the privledge of knowing.Good bess your wonderful soul.

[Fred Gramann, France]

Don served the art of handbell ringing in myriad ways, including the one which introduced me to him: the person who reviewed manuscript submissions for AGEHR. It is understandably rare to receive a personal reply to a submission rather than a polite form letter saying "better luck next time", much less one with constructive criticism and encouragement. I will always treasure the letter that Don sent me when he accepted my first piece for publication through AGEHR. Living in France, I didn't actually meet the Maestro until some years later while attending an AGEHR event. When I saw him carrying two cases of handbells down a hallway I went up and said "Mr. Allured, I am thrilled to meet you." In all humility he asked, "How did you know I was Don Allured?" as if he was just another anonymous figure in the crowd. He took handbells seriously, rather than his status or notoriety. I have been blessed to attend his Bay View Week of Handbells over the years and work under him. Hopefully Don will remain in our hearts as an example to strive for more than we thought possible, to give our very best to the music and to pass along the passion for this unique art form as it continues to unfold and blossom.

[Beth Ann Edwrds]

Donald Allured's attention to music was equaled only by his devotion to the musicians. He has built the handbell community one ringer, one director, one composer, at a time with his care, attention, enthusiasm, and encouragement. He brought respect and professionalism to our instrument and its potential, and he leaves a legacy of love for all musicians.

[Beth(Clear)Payton]

I was privileged to ring under the Maestro at Westminster Choir College for four years and travel in one of those famed Winnebagos with the Concert Handbell Choir. Mr. A as he was fondly known, was my mentor and helped to shape the musician I am today. I have a fond memory of playing a concert while on tour at my home church (Wayne Pres, Wayne PA). We liked to have fun, as most handbell ringers do, and we started "Pick A Winner" while Mr. A was still introducing it. He quietly turned around and sat down in the pew while we continued without his direction. When we finished, he pulled out his electric razor and began to shave to demonstrate the "close shave" of finishing the piece at rocket speed. His humor will be remembered along with his gentle spirit and demand for more than perfection. Ringing "Sharon's Song" 20+ years later at DB East under David Davidson's direction brought to life once again this beautiful piece. Mr. A you will be missed by so many!

[Carolyn Flynn Marengere]

I played Don Allured's music as a teen at various festivals. Then in the summer of 1990 my sister and I attended a handbell workshop at Westminster Choir College with Don. We had been ringing with the group for awhile when Don said to the two of us, "I can tell you are sisters because you ring alike...you don't look alike, but your ring alike." I will never forget his comment. That next summer my sister and I went to Bayview and again 5 years later. We so enjoyed ringing under Don's direction, where he encouraged (actually, gently demanded) the very best of the ringers musically. He seemed to love Bayview so very much. He will be missed for the wonderful person that he was and the excellence that he brought to the handbell world.

[Dick Coulter]

Don came into my life at the Grove City national festival when his choir played Fountainhead and I heard handbells playing 16th notes--much to my amazement. Since then he has always been one step ahead of the rest of the industry.

Don's ethical and gentility put him head and shoulders above the rest of us. His exemplary behavior coupled with a great sense of music made such a difference in the word--a real beacon for us to follow.

Fortunately, Don gave so much of his inspiration and good discipline to us all that his character and spirit will continue to guide us.

Sincerely,

Richard Coulter
Past President, AGEHR

[Randy Mills]

I was only able to experience Dr Allured's conducting once, at an OGEHR festival at Brock University, Ontario in the late 1980s. My new church job hadn't even taken possession of their first set of bells, but I was sent to see handbells in action. How much I learned from these very few days of hearing this master speak and direct at the highest level of musical professionalism. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

[ralring]

The first "handbell concert" I ever attended was Don's Westminster Concert Bell Choir at University Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, NC (at some point in the 80's). I will never forget how captivated I was with every note played, as was the entire audience. Captivated, not only by the huge set of bells and the skills demonstrated, but also by the music being shared. We were all entertained more than any of us had experienced with this instrument.

The first "handbell recording" I ever purchased was a cassette (remember those?), simply titled, "Westminster Concert Bell Choir". I listened to that recording many times, and ordered nearly every piece of music from that album for my church bell choir. Yes, we could argue that we've come a long way with the technology involved in recording our instrument, but the performance, the musicality and the variety on that recording was unmatched.

The first "handbell workshop" that my church group participated in was one of Don's technique workshops for individual churches that he led around the country. With Don's permission, we videotaped the session that day and I spent countless hours studying every nuance that Don covered so I could teach my group the correct way to play the instrument. That VHS tape (remember those?) was virtually worn out after years of viewing!

The first "handbell festival" my group participating in the Methodist Handbell Festival in Fayetteville, NC conducted by Don. Like many have said, we too, were a bit terrified at first, but we came out of that weekend thoroughly inspired and ready to dig even deeper into experimenting with music making with handbells.

The first "handbell text" I owned was Don's "Musical Excellence in Handbells", later to be replaced with his "Mastering Musicianship in Handbells". To this day, I recommend this book to anyone who will ask, as there is no better reference material for our instrument.

I truly believe that Don laid the foundation for handbell ringing in this country. My worry is that future generations of handbell ringers may not know of his name and the true impact of what his accomplishments have meant to our art. We all need to do all that we can to preserve these memories and carry on his legacy for the highest standards for making music.

No one has had a greater impact to our art.

Thank you, Don. Our mentor. Our inspiration. Our friend.

The Raleigh Ringers