Mission Statement:

The mission statement for Twin Cities Bronze captures the essence of the organization:

As professionals, to strive at all times for musical excellence
As educators, to share our technical knowledge of this unique medium
As artists, to showcase the diversity of handbells through innovative performances
As friends, to support each other and have fun

Who We are:

Twin Cities Bronze is a performing ensemble specializing in the music and art of English handbells. Selected by annual audition, this eleven-member ensemble of advanced ringers hails from the metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota. Their energizing performance style captures the listener's interest and their visual presentation evokes accolades from audiences and colleagues around the country. Through musically sensitive interpretation and technical execution, Twin Cities Bronze showcases their unique diversity in today's challenging secular, sacred, and classical handbell repertoire. As a teaching ensemble at the forefront of the medium of handbells, Twin Cities Bronze is recognized for their innovative and comprehensive workshop, Insights Into Artistry. They travel across the country sharing their knowledge and experience with directors and ringers in churches, schools and community groups.

Monica S. McGowan, Artistic Director

Twin Cities Bronze receives its musical and artistic direction from Monica S. McGowan, who also rings in the ensemble. She took her music education background (Bachelor of Science, Music Education, Chadron State College, Chadron, Nebraska) and found her life's passion in handbells. A quarter century later, she is a ringer, director, clinician and conductor. Whether it's with the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR), the International Music Camp, Artistic Director for Twin Cities Bronze or as Master Bell Technician at Ringing Restorations, Monica brings her extensive training, experience and enthusiasm for handbells and handchimes to every forum and venue.

Bill Carlson works in the IT Department at General Mills as a Support Specialist engineering the distribution of computer software. He began ringing in a junior high school choir in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and hasn't stopped since. Bill and his wife, Linda, enjoy time with their 4-legged children: Fritz & Frieda. Bill also holds a Private Pilot certificate and enjoys Videography. He also serves on the Twin Cities Bronze Board of Directors.

Phil Holst, originally from Maryland, started ringing handbells in 1992, and has been ringing with groups continuously since then. After earning a degree in Music Theory and Composition from St. Olaf College, he used his knowledge of the software program Finale to get a job at MakeMusic, Inc, where he is a QA Engineer in Finale development. In addition to ringing with Twin Cities Bronze, Phil also rings and sings at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. In his free time Phil enjoys riding his bike and snowshoeing with his wife Laura.

A 2005 graduate of St. Olaf College, Maggie Grube majored in music theory and composition. She has nine years of handbell performance experience, which includes ringing while at St. Olaf. Maggie studied piano for 19 years and also received additional instruction in pipe organ for 7 years. Her master's degree is in expressive therapies with a concentration in music therapy from Lesley University in Boston. She is a Board Certified Music Therapist and is employed as a music therapist by Augustana Chapel View Care Center in Hopkins, MN. She resides in downtown Minneapolis with her boyfriend, Alec, and their cat, Nerma. In her free time, she enjoys playing sports, especially soccer, ultimate Frisbee, and racquetball. In addition to Twin Cities Bronze, she is also a member of the Calhoun Isles Community Band where she plays clarinet and the "Four More" Dixieland ensemble where she plays the piano.

Bonnie Tranby has rung handbells since 1986. Besides performing with Twin Cities Bronze, Bonnie rings with the Calvary Carillons at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Eagan. Bonnie has actively participated in all area AGEHR conferences since 1992. She has a degree in Music Education from NDSU in Fargo, ND and a master's degree in Educational Leadership from SMSU in Marshall, MN. She teaches music at Edward Neill Elementary in Burnsville where she is working on starting a handbell program with her elementary students. Bonnie is married and a mother of two young adults. Bonnie and her husband Paul enjoy traveling (especially cruises), camping, boating, fishing and golfing. If Bonnie ever has a spare moment, she likes to spend it reading. She's also terribly excited about her new grandchild, Everett!

Patti Munter is a member of the Chancel Ringers at Fridley United Methodist Church, where she first learned to ring handbells while in junior high. She holds a BA degree in Business Administration/Accounting from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. By day she is the Controller at Featherlite Exhibits in Minneapolis. Her love of travel has taken her to Europe, Canada and most of the United States. At home, Patti enjoys listening to music, reading, as well as spending time with family, friends and her rambunctious cat Neko.

Jeni Jonett began ringing in high school where her youth choir soloed at several AGEHR conventions. Since then, she's lived in three states, joining church bell choirs wherever she can. Never one to stand still, Jeni bounces around behind the table as the choir really gets into the music. She has a journalism degree from Drake University and is a marketing writer for ARAnet in Hopkins. Jeni's husband, Lucius, is a graduate student at the U of M and they have a cat, Ally.

Sharon Barton lives in New Hope where she is a stay-at-home mom to Katie and Emily and wife to Mike. She holds a BS in Music from Defiance College in Ohio, and a MM in Church Music from Valparaiso University in Indiana. She began ringing bells in 2001, and is currently the adult handbell director at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park. In 2007, she earned a Level I Director's Certificate from AGEHR. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing and scrapbooking.

Martiey started her community ringing career with Kokopelli Bells of Grand Junction, CO. In addition to Twin Cities Bronze, she is a member of both the Westminster Presbyterian Ringers and Westminster Ensemble in downtown Minneapolis. Martiey facilitates the "Ensemble Ringing" sessions for Twin Cities Bronze's Insights Into Artistry workshops. Weekdays you'll find her working as Lead Performance Consultant for the Executive Sales Leadership team and field sales division of Deluxe Corporation, an international financial services company. Martiey is "owned" by two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Sanibel and Cynthie, and is proudest of her daughter Michelle, who is a professional cellist. Martiey also serves as Chair of the Twin Cities Bronze Board of Directors.

Sara Ralston has been involved with handbells since 1988. She resides in Eden Prairie. By day she works at Syngenta Inc in Minnetonka as Data Analyst. Her family includes one son, his wife, one granddaughter, and another grandchild on the way. Sara is an avid knitter and knits baby clothes for charities around the world. In her spare time she relaxes by noodling over logic and number puzzles.

Chris Johnson has played handbells since he was in high school. He holds a BS degree in Education from VCSU- Valley City, ND. In addition to ringing with Twin Cities Bronze, he also sings in One Voice Mixed Chorus. Chris works in the marketing department of the Minnesota Orchestra. When not at work or ringing handbells, he can be found running around a lake, riding his bike, or enjoying the performing arts of the Twin Cities.

Kathy Chojnacki was first introduced to handbells in 1977 when she began ringing with the Wesley Bell Ringers in Salt Lake City. Since then she has played in church handbell choirs in St. Louis, and Anoka, MN. Currently, she is directing two handbell choirs and a chime choir, at her home church in Anoka. During the summer you can find her at the lake with family and friends, soaking up the sun! Her biggest joys are her twin daughters who will be graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, May 2010.

Alyssa Boock began ringing handbells in 1991 and has played in choirs in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. She holds a BS in Geology from UWRF - River Falls, WI, and a MS in Geology from UND in Grand Forks, ND. She currently works as an environmental consultant. In addition to Twin Cities Bronze, Alyssa plays handbells and trombone at Grace Lutheran Church in St. Paul. She loves to travel, with her most recent adventures taking her to Peru and Japan. She also enjoys camping, hiking, reading, scrapbooking and geocaching.

Beth Summers-Minette is a longtime singer, ringer, and music enthusiast and is excited to be playing with Twin Cities Bronze this year. She has a Master's Degree in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor's of Music from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI with an emphasis in Choral/General Education. Beth currently teaches at Visitation Catholic School in Mendota Heights and sings at Central Presbyterian in downtown St. Paul. When not engulfed in all things musical, she crochets, cross-stitches, and does crossword puzzles.