Carol of the bells

"It's not Christmas without bells," asserts Misty Rivers, director of Grace Notes Bell Choir at Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

It is that passion for music that drew Rivers to become a member of the handbell choir in 1998 and has led her to remain a member since. Her continued enthusiasm allowed her to step in as director three years ago when Ray Haring, the former director, retired. Speaking highly of the foundation Haring laid, Rivers said, "I'm building on Ray's legacy, giving back what he gave to me."

And while Christmas and bells go hand-in-hand, handbells are much more than a holiday affair. Grace Notes attends bell conventions, performs monthly at Grace United Methodist Church and has a concert every 18 months -- one during the Christmas season and one in the spring. This is their off-year, she said, but the 15-member choir will perform two selections at the church's Christmas Eve service. The church choir and soloists also will render selections.

According to Rivers, handbells are special because so much can be done with them. Musicians can mallet them or hit the tablecloth with them a certain way to create a certain sound. The uniqueness of this style of music draws a variety of participants. Grace Notes members, for example, range from high school sophomores to people in their 70s.

"A lot of them have been in the group the entire time," Rivers says, and that certainly speaks volumes, as the group has been in existence for more than 40 years.

Previously, the church had two handbell choirs: one for beginners and one for advanced musicians. With people going off to college and retiring, they have condensed to one group. The art form is so beloved, however, that people do not move on so easily. Some return because once they retire, they miss it too much to stay away. Such was the case with the previous director's wife. "Ray's wife retired when he did," Rivers says, "but she missed it so much, she came back." No doubt, she and others feel as does Rivers, who said, "I have continued [in the bell choir] because I love the music and the people."

The dedication to the choir is admirable, in light of the commitment required. Director Rivers said that those who join are expected to be present at all performances. Unlike a song choir, a bell choir experiences a deep lack when any individual is absent. "One person gone makes a difference." They do have substitutes to fill in when necessary, yet

those who come on board do so with the understanding that they are needed. This is generally not a problem, as these musicians are clearly there out of love for what they do. "They want to be challenged," Rivers said. "All of them are about making good music."

It certainly helps that most of them read music, as well. Though auditions are not required, a music background does help.

Grace United Methodist is not the only church with a handbell choir. Other area churches have them also. Though some, such as New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson and Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, will not perform as part of a Christmas celebration this year, both have handbell choirs that play year-round.

The handbell choir will perform during the Christmas Eve service at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 24 at Grace United Methodist Church, 521 Caruthers Avenue in Cape Girardeau.

The service will, Misty Rivers promises, "bring in Christmas in an extra special way."