Matthew Compton

A Colorado Springs native, Matthew Compton has been composing, arranging, and conducting music for handbells since 2007 when he was in the eighth grade. He had his first composition published at the age of fifteen, making him one of the youngest published hndbell composers. Matthew has numerous compositions and arrangements in print. An avid performer, player and student of handbell music, he is known for his high-energy original compositions and arrangements, and beautiful harmonies.

In addition to being a guest clinician at handbell festivals across the country, Matthew’s music is used frequently at local and national handbell festivals, like the Bay View Week of Handbells, Distinctly Bronze East and West, and the International Handbell Symposium. He has been the recipient of the Donald E. Allured Composition Award. His music has been performed across the world by many elite groups, including The Agape Ringers, Pikes Peak Youth Ringers, Hong Kong Youth Handbell Ensemble, and the Alleluia Ringers of Concordia University Wisconsin.

Matthew graduated in 2016 from Concordia University Wisconsin with a degree in music and a focus on composition and conducting. In his spare time, Matthew can be found streaming a variety of games and music performances on Twitch, going hiking, or enjoying any number of movies, anime, or TV shows!

Forté Handbell Quartet

Based in Colorado Springs, Forté is an advanced quartet marked by artistry, energy, and dedication to their craft. In pursuit of musical excellence, Forté strives to explore, innovate, inspire, and glorify God through the gift of music. The musicians of Forté – Luke Nabeta, Megan Reishus, Dillon Ekle, and Tory Marting – continually challenge themselves to “Rethink Possible,” expanding their musical and performance horizons and adding original compositions and arrangements to their ever-expanding repertoire, while challenging audiences’ perceptions of what handbells can really do.

Since forming in 2007, Forté has had an increasingly active schedule of concerts and recordings, made possible with the help of their growing team of monthly supporters. They have been featured performers and faculty at Handbell Musicians of America events, have presented several successful tours across the country, and released three CDs and a DVD of music videos filmed around the state of Colorado.

Massed

Hashivenu (Rise Up and Sing) arr. Austin
Level 2 (3-6 oct bells; opt 3-5 oct chimes)
Hope 3028

Simplicity by Matthew Compton
Level 2 (3-6 oct bells; opt 3-7 oct chimes)
Evergreen Music – EGM109

Song of Assurance by Arnold Sherman
Level 2/2+ Choristers Guild
CGB604 (2-3 oct bells or chimes) Level 2
CGB605 (3-5 oct bells) Level 2+

Intermediate

Come, Christians, Join to Sing arr. Compton
Level 3+ (3-6 oct bells; opt 3-6 oct chimes)
Evergreen Music – EGM116

Deep River arr. Hart Morris
Level 3 (3-5 oct bells with opt oboe, flute and/or cello)
Ring Out Press – RO3249

Advanced

Spiritus Sanctus by Matthew Compton
Level 3+ (3-7 oct bells; opt 3 oct chimes)
Choristers Guild – CGB1167

My Strength Is from Heaven by Christian Humcke
Level 4 (5-7 oct bells)
Choristers Guild – CGB1227

8:00 Visit Vendors
8:30 Massed Rehearsal
9:30 Break / Visit Vendors
9:40 Intermediate Division Rehearsal / Advanced Division classes
10:30 Break / Visit Vendors
10:40 Advanced Division Rehearsal / Intermediate Division Classes
11:30 Lunch (Provided) and Area 9 Biennial Membership Meeting
1:00 Massed Rehearsal
1:45 Break
2:00 Individual Choir Solo concert
2:45 Final Run through
3:30 Break
4:00 Concert!

University of Central Oklahoma Events Center

The University of Central Oklahoma, located just outside of Oklahoma City in Edmond, OK, offers a world-class conference center, situated in a comfortable, convenient, and diverse community, while also being centrally located to Oklahoma’s popular attractions! The 200-acre campus is four blocks east of Edmond’s business district, enclosed by University Drive, Second Street, Bauman Avenue, Ayers Street and Chowning Avenue. For on-campus directions, view our campus maps.

Driving Directions

From the west:

From Clinton or Amarillo, Texas, follow I-40 East toward Oklahoma City/Fort Worth. Keep right and merge onto I-35 North/US-62 East. Follow signs for I-44/Tulsa/Wichita and continue on I-35 North. Take Exit 141, for 2nd Street/OK-66 E toward US-77 South/Edmond. Follow East 2nd Street until reaching Bauman Avenue.

From the south:

From Ardmore, Durant or Dallas, Texas, follow I-35 North. Merge onto I-235 North toward State Capitol/Edmond. Continue on I-235/US-77 North/Broadway. Turn right onto East 2nd Street. Follow East 2nd Street until arriving at University Drive.

From the east:

From Tulsa, McAlester or Fort Smith, Arkansas, follow either I-44 West of I-40 West toward Oklahoma City. Merge onto I-35 North. Take Exit 141, for 2nd Street/OK-66 E toward US-77 South/Edmond. Follow East 2nd Street until reaching Bauman Avenue.

From the north:

From Stillwater, Enid or Wichita, Kansas, take I-35 South toward Oklahoma City. Take Exit 141, for 2nd Street/OK-66 E toward US-77 South/Edmond. Follow East 2nd Street until reaching Bauman Avenue.

Attendees must make their own reservations for accommodations.

Fairfield Marriott Edmond
301 Meline Drive, Edmond, OK 73034
405-341-4818
Must stay 2 or more nights to be eligible for the group rate.

• King – $110/night+tax
• Double Queen – $129/night+tax
• Suite: 1 king bed, sitting area, sofabed, 2 TV’s – $119/night+tax

To make reservations, call the front desk at 405-341-4818 no later than 5/1/24 and ask to book a room under the “Handbell Conference”

Other area hotels include:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Edmond, 3840 E 2nd St, Edmond, OK 73034, (405) 844-3700

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Edmond. 200 Meline Dr, Edmond, OK 73034, (405) 513-5353

For information about becoming an event sponsor, contact any board member.

Stay tuned to our page for more updates on summit faculty, featured performers, and other details!