Parsons, Thomas E - Composer ~ Arranger ~ Handbell Musician
Thomas E. Parsons grew up in Tucson, Arizona, in a musical family and began arranging and composing while still in elementary school. He discovered handbells at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church under the direction of Judy Dodge. At Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, he played in the Harter Memorial Handbell Choir under Douglas J Benton while earning a Bachelor of Music in Music History and, later, a Master of Music in choral conducting.
After graduate school, Parsons moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and performed with Sonos Handbell Ensemble under James T Meredith. During six years with the ensemble, he toured nationally and internationally, recorded three albums, and helped present handbells as a virtuoso concert instrument. His work with Sonos also informed the bass-bell technique he later shared through workshops and publication.
His publications with From the Top Music include Prelude in C Minor, co-arranged with Erin K. Downey; an arrangement of Scott Joplin’s Solace; the instructional booklet Bass Bell Technique; and his original composition Minimal Rondeau for handbells and marimba. Minimal Rondeau, written in 1996, was recorded by Bells of the Cascades for the 2015 album Hitting Things.
After stepping away from active handbell performance in 2005, Parsons continued to compose, arrange, conduct, and contribute to church music. He served for many years in the worship ministry at Valley Bible Church in Hercules, California. He now plays bass guitar and directs the handbell choir at Community Alliance Church in San Pablo, CA. He lives in Pinole, California, with his wife and their two adult children.
