A note of gratitude from Larry Sue, to participants at the 2025 Bay View Week of Handbells
Last night 107 handbell musicians at the 2025 Bay View Week of Handbells performed my arrangement of Seiichi Kyoda’s Winter Dance. Maestro Fred Gramann led us in an amazing program, and it was a tremendous honor that he included this piece in the repertoire.
My gratitude goes to all of you who made this performance more than just a technical reality. There was an inescapable growing intensity throughout the music that you made. During our penultimate rehearsal, I made a video of part of Winter Dance. It was everything I could have imagined. The Thursday night concert performance was even better than that!
I put lots of dots and squiggles on the pages, and I hope they were true to Kyoda-san’s heart. You turned those dots and squiggles into a unified sound that drew our audience into the dance we were trying to imagine. I could envision the people from that small village in far northern Japan, their bonfire, and their celebration in its warmth. Thanks, from the bottom of my heart, to each of you for being part of this musical endeavor. I thank you for granting me the privilege of joining you in it. Thank you for giving our audience an experience that they can remember. Thank you for dancing (in 5/4, no less). Most of all, thank you for having fun! You all created magnificence, and I’m indebted to you all for the gift you’ve given me.
Thank you for your HUGE contribution to the event, Cheryl! Glad you enjoyed playing Winter Dance!
Thank you so much, Kim! We’re glad you enjoyed the Deep Pit’s very own “Winter Dance”. Looking forward to seeing you at next year’s event!
Thanks for your wonderful piece, Larry. You always provide interesting and exciting arrangements for us. I loved being part of Bay View 2025!
Thank you! Thanks for your part in making the concert so special too!
Thank you, Linda. “Pleased” is an understatement. It was overwhelmingly wonderful to have the piece performed so well at Bay View. Thank you for your part in that!
The Bayview crowd loved this Larry! It was my hubby’s fav and mentioned by family watching on livestream as a top favorite. The deep pit dance was fantastic, and I personally loved the organ touch and 8s at the end. I was lucky to ring this at DB West and Bayview. Thank you for sharing your talents with the handbell world! This piece is so fun to ring!
It was definitely one of my favorites pieces Larry!!! and 5/4 is my favorite meter! I’m so happy that you were pleased.
Thank you, Larry. You gave us a wonderful gift that expanded our musical horizon:. As we grew to know and understand this piece under Fred’s baton we did begin to dance! What a blessing to share this moment with so many excellent musicians and friends.
Thank you so much, Christine!
Loved ringing this so much, Larry! Can’t help but want to dance with the rhythm.
Christine Fox-Roberts