I was recently fortunate enough to play in a performance of my school's handbell choir. The choir was playing as an addition to a local symphony orchestra. I noticed that many of my colleuges in the handbell choir didn't look extremely thrilled to be there. I asked some of them why, and their responses varied. Then I remembered something. I have never seen a happy handbell choir! Every handbell choir I've ever seen as always looked like they're really grouchy, or irritated.
Of course I had to wonder why. Why don't they ever look happy to be performing? Is it something about the instrument? Does it have something to do with the concentration required to play handbells?
I find this very odd.
