Who's Who in Handbells
An informational list

(TS) TEMPO SETTERS is the title given to a series of videos made to preserve AGEHR and
handbell history in the U.S.  These videos feature interviews and narratives of past presidents,
Honorary Life members, and others who have had an impact on handbells.

"*" indicates peson is deceased.

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McBeth, Kevin  7498 Ahern Ct St Louis MO 63130-2218

McChesney,  Kevin,   Colorado Springs, CO  --  Here's the current deal -  if you want to reach Kevin - call him  (719) 265-9691.   You could also write him at 6980 Snowbird Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918.   Composer and Arranger of Handbell Music,  AGEHR Composer. Clinician

McCleary, Mary G.  (TS)  Honorary Life 1994.  170 Allerton Road Naugatuck CT 06770-1625 (203) 729-1689  --  Mary G. McCleary was the Chairman of Area I of the New England Guild of English Handbell Ringers when it merged with the the newly formed American Guild.  This made her the first Chairman of Area I of the AGEHR, Inc.   She served as the Chairman for four years and then became President of the National organization (1979-81).  Mary has spent her professional life as a church musician, serving as a director and organist, as well as an accomplished solo ringer.  Mary retired after many years as organist/choirmaster in Naugatuck, CT.   She was introduced to handbells after her minister heard Richard Litterst's choir ring in 1958.  The minister wanted bells, they were purchased, and Mary was hooked.   Her many compositions, when there were few bell pieces available, are fresh and idiomatic  --  and popular.  I recall ringing one of her pieces from the last note to the first (backwards) and the teenagers recognized it before we had rung very far. Though concepts of composition have changed, some of these selections are worthy of consideration today.  Mary is also an  Arranger, Conductor, and Clinician of note.

McDonnell, Ruth  --  Ascension Lutheran Church, 351 Ascension Dr., Casselberry, FL 32707, (407)831-7788  Ruth.McDonnell@worldnet.att.net  --  Area IV Representive to the National Board for AGEHR.  Ruth is the current AGEHR Area IV, Secretary, Director of Music Ministry at Ascension Lutheran Church in Casselberry, Florida where she directs a five-octave adult handbell choir, a three-octave children's handbell choir, Parish Choir, and children's choir. In 1996 Ruth chaired a committee to organize the Magic of Bronze, a Central Florida community handbell ensemble which she leads as its music director. Ruth has taught at workshops and conducted massed ringing at festivals and is an accomplished flutist and solo-ringer. Her educational background includes a  bachelor's degree in music education from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In addition to the AGEHR, Ruth is a member of Choristers' Guild, Sigma Alpha Iota (a women's music fraternity), the American Choral Directors Association, and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.

McDonough, Pat,  --  pmcd@tcinternet.net

McDonough, Tim -- tmm@sdd.hp.com  --  The church I grew up at (Christ UMC in Rochester, MN) bought a set of   Schulmerich bells in the early 60's (before I was born), and I grew up   hearing bells at church. I first got to ring as a special after choir   (vocal) activity for our children's choir, when I was in 3rd grade (1975). I   joined my first handbell choir when I was in 5th grade, and I still remember   the first piece I ever played in public! It was an arrangement of "Darwall's  148th". Except for a 9 month hiatus when I was a freshman in college, and a   14 month hiatus when I moved to California, I've been ringing ever since.   I've rung at Christ UMC in Rochester, MN, Faith UMC in Fargo, ND, and most   recently with St. Mark's UMC in San Diego, CA. I also participated with the RingOut! ensemble to present one of the mini concerts at the 1999 Directors   Seminar in San Diego. I've been a member of handbell-l since Saturday March   25th, 1995. My formal education comprises of a Bachelors degree in   Electrical and Electronics Engineering from NDSU in 1989, and I've worked in   San Diego for the Hewlett-Packard company since July 24th, 1989. The first   AGEHR festival conference I attended was the Area VII conference in Fargo, ND in 1986. Lastly, I guess many folks know me as I've helped maintain the mystery bell ringer page over the past 4 years. "Statistician and search expert on Handbell-L, Ringer"

McFadden, Jane C  --  Groveport OH 43125  AGEHR Composer  --  mcbell@columbus.rr.com  --  http://home.columbus.rr.com/handbells  --  Jane McFadden has served as organist and handbell director at David's United Church of Christ in Canal Winchester, Ohio, since 1990. She also directs a women's handbell choir at Christ Lutheran Church in Columbus where, for sixteen years, she had a multiple choir program of youth and children's handbell and vocal choirs. Jane writes and arranges music and has over 50 titles in print with nine publishers; most are organ and handbell arrangements done in collaboration with Janet Linker. She won the 1999 Area II Original Handbell Composition Contest. Her composition, "Psalm 30," is published by The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc. and was played at the 1999 Summer Area II Festival/Conference in Kutztown, PA.  Jane has a degree in Music Education from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. Jane holds certification from the AGEHR as a Massed Choir Director and has served the Guild as the Ohio State Chairman.

McGahie, Paul Douglas  --   Pensacola FL 32504  AGEHR Composer

McGowan, Monica  --  9399 Birch Lane, Lakeville, MN  55044, MMcGow9399@aol.com  --  Monica received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Chadron State College, Chadron, Nebraska.  She began her work in handbells in January 1986 and soon realized she had found musical niche.  Monica has served AGEHR as Area VII Chair (1995-1998), has worked on numerous AGEHR committees and is now Special Focus Groups Department Chair.  She successfully completed the first AGEHR Master Class and is a clinician at Director's Seminar, Handbell Exploration International, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, the Northern Pines Music Camp and the International Music Camp.  Monica is Director of Handbells at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, Minnesota where she administers and
conducts the handbell program of seven choirs.  She is currently Artistic Director for Twin Cities Bronze, an auditioned community handbell ensemble from Minneapolis-St. Paul.

McKechnie, D. Linda -- 11506 Gallant Ridge, Houston, TX 77082,  713-722-0808,  FAX 713-722-7143  -   DLMmusic@aol.com  --  www.lindamckechnie.com  --  Linda McKechnie, well known for her significant contribution to the art of handbell ringing, served the AGEHR from 1987-1989 and is in demand as a clinician and director for conferences and seminars.  She is a gifted musician and arranger, using a refreshing style of grace and humor in encouraging every level of ability. As a prolific publisher and arranger of over 100 handbell and keyboard titles, she continues to be a recipient of the ASCAP special awards and receives numerous requests for commissioned works.  A Steinway artist, Linda maintains a heavy schedule as a pianist and recording artist on the Brentwood label.

*McKeehan, W. D. (Mac) Honorary Life 1984    Known to all as "Mac," for more than 40 years he was the Director of Music at First United Methodist Church in Bartlesville, OK.  It was there that he first became interested in handbells.  His choirs participated in many AGEHR festivals, and Mac himself often participated as a solo ringer and clinician.  He served the Guild in many capacities on both Area and National levels.  He was Area IX Chairman in the late 1960's and early 1970's (before the Areas were realigned to twelve), and then he served as National Registrar from 1971-75.   In 1975, Mac was elected National Treasurer, a position he held until 1983.  During his tenure as Treasurer, he did much to help the Guild plan wisely for its future.  At the National Board of Directors' meeting in 1983, the W. D. McKeehan Scholarship was established as tribute to all that Mac had done for AGEHR.  In the years since its establishment, many individuals have received scholarships to attend either a National Festival or a National Directors' Seminar.  Also, in recognition of his service to the Guild, he was made an Honorary Life Member in 1984.  Mac and his wife, Betty, had three children, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild.  Betty died on November 14, 1987, and two weeks later, following an extended illness, Mac died on November 28, 1987.  Mac's enthusiasm and dedication will long be missed, and the work he did and the financial foundations he laid will benefit AGEHR for many years to come.

McKlveen, Paul --  871 Mandalay Terrace  -- De Pere, WI  54115 -- 920-339-8994 - pmcklveen@new.rr.com
http://www.webcom.com/mcklveen.   Paul began ringing handbells in 1974, and pursued his hobby as director, clinician, festival conductor and composer. Director of Handbell Ministries at White Plains United Methodist Church in Cary, NC for four and a half years. For six and a half years he served as the Assistant Director of the Raleigh Ringers , an auditioned community handbell group which he helped to form. He has also directed an adult handbell choir at First Baptist Church in Cary, NC and youth, adult and children handbell choirs at First Baptist Church in Matthews, NC.  Paul enjoys composing and has won several composition contests. He presently has approximately seventy published compositions.  For Area III of The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc., he has served as the North Carolina State Chairman, Secretary, and Chairman and on the National Board of Directors.  Paul is employed by Sprint PCS as a Data Analyst III for the Database Architecture group. He received a BS in Computer Science and a BS in Mathematics from North Carolina State University.  His home is in Overland Park, KS,  with his wife, Sue, his seven-year old son, David, his five-year old daughter, Sarah, and his four-year old daughter, Alyssa. AGEHR Composer