Westminster Concert Bell Choir rings in 40th anniversary

Choir performs at Grace Episcopal on Tuesday

Hear the largest range of handbells in the world when t he Westminster Concert Bell Choir stops at Grace Episcopal Church on Tuesday, May 15, while on its spring tour.

The Westminster Concert Bell Choir is composed of 16 undergraduate and graduate students of Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, N.J. Its director is Kathleen Ebling Shaw.

This year celebrates t he 40th year of t he handbell curriculum at Westminster Choir Col- lege, which was the first institution in the world to develop such a program. The program was founded by Donald E. Allured.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary season, the bell choir shares the most popular pieces from its four decades. The program features original works, transcriptions, hymns, folk tunes and popular pieces all performed on an eight- octave range of handbells.

The bell choir uses the largest range of handbells in the world – eight octaves, from C1 to C9. Many of the bells are made of bronze and range in weight from 4 ounces to 11 pounds. The choir also uses basso profundo aluminum- cast bells. The ringers supplement their handbell set with a six-octave set of Malmark Choirchime instruments from C2 to C8 – the widest range in existence.

A freewill offering will be collected during the concert.

For more information: 423-698-2433.

RIDER UNIVERSITY PHOTO The Westminster Concert Bell Choir plays the largest range of handbells in the world, ranging in weight from 4 ounces to 11 pounds.