Shirley Hipwell
Bell Ensemble Conductor

Shirley Hipwell is currently a Handbell Consultant for schools, churches and a mentor of Handbells with AGEHR (American Guild of English Handbells).  She received her Bachelor of Music Degree from Alma College, Alma Michigan and a Masters of Education Degree in Administration & Supervision from National Louis University in Chicago, Il.  Shirley taught private piano, voice and handbell solo & ensemble lessons.  She taught Vocal and Handbells in the public schools, churches and for summer music programs for over 40 years.

Mrs. Hipwell was the organizer and director of six graded handbell choirs at the First Presbyterian Church in Arlington Heights, IL. These groups traveled and performed at area handbell festival in the United States and in Toronto, Canada.  At the International Handbell Festival in Toronto, they received a standing ovation for their exceptional skill, musicianship, musicality and memorization.

Mrs. Hipwell formed an after-school handbell choir in Mt. Prospect, IL with 23 ringers who had a full performance schedule and also flew to New York City to participate in the International Youth Handbell Festival in 2000.

At the Palatine High School in Palatine, IL a Special Education Handbell Choir was formed by Mrs. Hipwell.   These students performed with enthusiasm and joy with the high school band and choirs, for public events and for the city of Palatine’s 50th Anniversary.  They were given a bell to the city by the Mayor of Palatine.  Working with these special students was written in “Overtones” the National Magazine for Handbell Directors by Mrs. Hipwell.

As an adjunct professor at Roosevelt University School of Music in Chicago, IL., Mrs. Hipwell instructed handbell directors in Handbell Technique classes and forming handbell choirs.

As adjunct faculty member of Harper College in Palatine, IL.  she formed and directed three handbell choirs at the college.  She also formed and directed The Northwest Chicago Community Ringers.   This gave handbell directors and advanced ringers an opportunity to ring, and dedicate themselves to musical excellence and the advancement of English Handbells.  These choirs performed in England in 1988, Canada in 1992, Australia in 1994, Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1996 and Japan in 1998.

A Handbell “Spring Ring” which drew over 30 bell choirs from three states each year was instituted by Mrs. Hipwell at Harper College.  These mass concerts where directed by some of our finest Handbell Directors as Don Allured, David Davidson, William Payn, Felix Thompson, Bill Waggener, Beth Watson, David Weck and many more.

Mrs. Hipwell served on the faculty for the National Handbell Director’s Conference, First Special Groups Liaison Chairman for the National Board of AGEHR, and Faculty of the International Handbell Symposiums in England, Australia and Japan.  She is sought after as a resource person, an area clinician and adjudicator.  Shirley is dedicated to the use of handbells not only in the traditional avenues of service, performance and worship, but also as an educational and therapeutic experience.

Now residing in Arizona with her husband Vern, she is excited to be a part of the East Valley Youth Symphony Handbell Ensembles.