Metropolitan Bells announces concerts

The Metropolitan Bells are ringing in their 25th anniversary season with three presentations of “Need a Little Christmas.”

The concert features several new arrangements of popular classics including “Little Saint Nick,” “The Man with the Bag” and “Holly Jolly Christmas.” Sacred numbers include “Joy to the World,” “The First Noel” and “Silent Night.”

Three concert dates are scheduled:

› Today, Dec. 6: Fairview Baptist Church, 261 County Road 439, Athens, Tennessee.

› Tuesday, Dec. 11: Brainerd Baptist Church, 300 Brookfield Ave.

› Tuesday, Dec. 18: Christ United Methodist Church, 8645 East Brainerd Road.

Each performance will begin at 7: 30 p. m. They are free, but donations will be accepted.

The Metropolitan Bells will also make an appearance in the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s holiday pops concert, “Home for the Holidays,” on Dec. 15-16.

Metropolitan Bells is an advanced community handbell ensemble consisting of 14 auditioned ringers who perform on seven octaves of Malmark bells and seven octaves of Malmark choir chimes. Founded by the late Ken Cochrane, the group is currently under the direction of Gary Bynum.

Ringers for 2018-2019 are Karen Bieberitz, Chris Forrester, Jo Grant, Becky Hall, Jad Johnson, Martha King, Debbie Larmore, Carole Millard, Noelle Myers, Becky Price, Hali Reynolds, Jan Reynolds, Sherry Shaver and Julie Smith.

For more information: www.MetropolitanBells.org.

METROPOLITAN BELLS CONTRIBUTED PHOTO The Metropolitan Bells handbell ensemble begin their holiday concerts tonight, Dec. 6, at Fairview Baptist Church in Athens, Tenn.