About Arsis Handbell School

The Arsis Handbell School is a private hobby school that started out in 1999. Initially, there were 72 pupils. To date, the Arsis Handbell School has become a hobby school for 300 pupils and has established itself both in Tallinn and Tartu.

The Arsis Handbell School is an untraditional music school in which pupils learn notes and instruments, but the instruments and teaching methods are unusual. Music is taught through the use of handbells. Handbells are musical instruments that allow for starting to play as an ensemble rather quickly, and pupils enjoy making music this way. A player must only have basic sense of rhythm and coordination. As handbells are used to make music in an ensemble, the methods applied at school are based on the principles of group and team work, developing in children besides love for music also responsibility, performance and communication skills.

The curriculum contains four subjects ­­– ensemble music, solfeggio (to learn the notes), music history and piano lessons.

History of the School

• June 1993: the first three octave handbells arrive in Estonia as a gift to Aivar Mäe and his choir Arsis from the representatives of the Guild of English Handbell Players in the US;
• September 1993: the first handbell ensemble — the Handbell Ensemble Arsis, conducted by Aivar Mäe — is established in Estonia;
• September 1996: another handbell ensemble is founded — the Arsis Children’s Ensemble, also conducted by Aivar Mäe;
• September 1998: people develop an idea to establish a hobby school, where children could learn music through the use of handbells;
• August 1999: the Estonian Ministry of Education gives Arsis an education licence (752HM) and permission to establish a private hobby school;
• September 1999: the Arsis Handbell School opens;
• August 2001: the Estonian Ministry of Education gives a permission to open a branch of the school in Tartu, issuing also a new education licence (1675 HM);
• September 2001: the Arsis Handbell School starts its activities in Tartu;
• Mai 2003: the first group of pupils finish their course in Tallinn;
• Mai 2005: the first group of pupils finish their course in Tartu.

Learning environment

In Tallinn

The Arsis Handbell School is situated in the house of the Tallinn Philharmonic Society near the national flag tower Pikk Hermann (Tall Hermann) at Toompuiestee 20.

• 1 room for theory lessons;
• 1 room for handbell ensemble rehearsals;
• 2 rooms for piano lessons;
• teachers’ room;
• office premises;
• waiting room and recreation room for pupils and their parents.

In Tartu

The Arsis Handbell School is located at Tähe 101, near the department store Sisustus E Kaubamaja and Forselius Upper Secondary School.

• 1 room for theory lessons;
• 1 room for handbell ensemble rehearsals;
• 2 rooms for piano lessons;
• 1 room for guitar lessons;
• office premises;
• waiting room for pupils and their parents.