RINGING IN THE HOLIDAYS

A number of area churches are using ringers in their worship services -- handbell ringers that is.

"Handbells are very popular among churches and now a lot of schools are using them too. Handbells are really a growing phenomenon," said John Broom, minister of music at First Baptist Church.

The church has a five octave handbell choir, which includes huge bass bells and tiny bells.

"We play in church about two times a month," Broom said. "Everyone usually enjoys it. The pure natural tone and harmonies and the bell sound itself really plays well with worship. It adds to the worship service."

"We've been playing here for about 15 years. The adult choir plays at festivals and for other churches and civic events," Broom said. "We consider them a ministry."

Bells have been used since the 500s to summon worshipers. For hundreds of years bells have also been used in musical compositions. Handbell choirs use English handbells, designed so the clapper rings in just one direction. A regular bell's clapper hits on both sides of the bell.

In a handbell choir, each ringer is assigned a few notes to strike each time that note is written in the score.

Judy Dissen, director of the Trinity Ringers at Trinity Lutheran Church, "When you play a musical instrument you play all the notes at different times. With handbells you only have two or three notes to play every time. You have to work together as a group; everything has to fit."

The Trinity handbell choir started in 1982. The church school also has handbells.

Dissen said technique plays a role in handbell ringing. "I like the fact that you can get different sounds from the bell. Plus the bell has such a unique sound."

Some ringers ring solo. Quartets are possible. Handbell choir may include two to six octaves of notes.

"It's not necessary to read music to make music with the group," Dissen said, "Of course it helps. But all you have to be able to do is count."

Jim Wunderlich, minister of music at Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel, said, "The bells are a very, very special instrument and it's hard to describe how a handbell choir comes together. It's different than any other type of ensemble.

"When you are in a vocal choir, a band or an orchestra -- unless you are a soloist -- there are always others singing the same part or another instrument playing the same part. You are not a lone wolf out there and there is some sense of security in the fact that you have others supporting you."

"A handbell choir is a collection of soloists," said Wunderlich. "But they must all work together to deal with the music.

"If you are assigned C and D, you are the only person who has those notes," he explained. "At the same time you have to be aware of the ensemble. I have had so-called musicians feel completely lost."

The Good Shepherd congregation has had a handbell choir four years.

"Sometimes people take a look at handbell ringers and consider it something highly musical. I don't want to shatter any myths, but ...."

Wunderlich, who holds a masters degree in music education, said, "Quite frankly don't care if they know any thing about music. I can teach that. I cannot teach the desire or the determine to work and be there for rehearsals. You also have to look for people who work well with an ensemble. You will see everyone from a grandmother to a seventh-grader.

"Once you get that group together and get them working and start they can achieve a sense of accomplishment," Wunderlich said.

"The beauty of the bells then brings out the beauty of the people," said Wunderlich. "There is no such thing as an off-key soprano here."