Boundaries of Harmony

The Westminster Bell Choir will perform light classical music, folk songs and original compositions.

By: Susan Van Dongen
   Handbell choirs have come a long way since the 17th century, when the instruments were used by church musicians to practice change ringing of the chimes in the bell tower. Since change ringing involved at least one member of the musical team climbing up and getting situated in the tower, often in bad weather, portable handbells were a much warmer, more portable alternative — probably less intrusive to the neighbors as well.
   Though handbells had existed in the Far East for thousands of years, sets of diatonically tuned bells appeared in England in the 17th century. Ringers later branched out into playing hymns and other tunes on the bells, and expanded the instruments’ range several octaves. It is said that P.T. Barnum brought the first handbell choir to the United States in 1847, an ensemble he erroneously named the Swiss Bell Ringers — they were actually from Lancashire, England.
   Now the art form boasts bell choirs that travel nationally and internationally, with state-of-the-art instruments in an even wider range, and music that goes beyond the standard hymn-like compositions, testing the boundaries of harmony.
   One of the pre-eminent ensembles in the nation, the Westminster Concert Bell Choir uses the largest range of handbells in the world — eight octaves, from C1 to C9. Led by Kathleen Ebling-Thorne, the Choir also uses the large "basso profundo" aluminum-cast bells, a new phenomenon in handbell ringing.
   The 14-member Choir will perform its spring concert in Bristol Chapel on the campus of Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton April 30. Ms. Ebling-Thorne says the concert is a mixture of light classical music, folk songs and original compositions. The Choir will be fresh from recording its third CD, Westminster Concert Bell Choir — By Request.
   "The whole concept is audience favorites," Ms. Ebling-Thorne says. "We’re recording pieces that we’ve toured with, but weren’t on the previous recordings. Folks have asked that they be recorded and it ended up being a nice variety of things."
   The originals include works by Michael Keller, Kevin McChesney and Cathy Moklebust, all well-known composers for handbell choirs.
   Ms. Ebling-Thorne says it’s refreshing to hear some new harmonies for bell music in the original compositions, which run the gamut from "sweet and lovely" to more experimental.
   "The music is written for the market, which is mostly church handbell choirs," Ms. Ebling-Thorne says. "There are a lot of original compositions out there but they’re meant to be rung in worship, so they tend to be pleasing to the ear.
   "But in the last 10 to 15 years, composers have become a little bit more daring, and have stretched the art using natural overtones of the bells to create some interesting chordal progressions and techniques," she continues. "I think that’s what is stretching the art — the original works, more so than the arrangements."
   Praised for its precision, range and repertoire, the Westminster Concert Bell Choir’s Christmas holiday performances have been heard annually on National Public Radio’s Performance Today, and the group is included on NPR’s recording, Christmas Around The Country II. The choir has performed at Carnegie Hall twice during the Christmas season.
   The group has also appeared on public television’s Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and several holiday broadcasts of the Today show, including one in which the ensemble was joined by NBC personalities Katie Couric and Willard Scott. The group’s previous recordings are Westminster Rings!, Praise and Adoration and Christmas at Westminster.
   Ms. Ebling-Thorne is a graduate of Westminster Choir College and director of sales and marketing for Malmark Inc., world-renowned manufacturer of handbells, located in Plumsteadville, Pa.
   Well-known as a handbell clinician, she has conducted sessions for the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers both on the local and national levels. Her other engagements have included sessions for the American Guild of Organists, Music Educators National Conference, the Eighth International Handbell Symposium in Japan, the Ninth International Handbell Symposium in England and the Tenth International Handbell Symposium in Korea.
   Like most college groups, the Westminster Concert Bell Choir changes personnel every year as the senior ringers graduate. Ms. Ebling-Thorne says last year was one of the more stable, since they only lost one musician. It’s best to try to keep the ensemble intact, she says.
   "It helps with the esprit d’corps of the choir, because they get to know each other," Ms. Ebling-Thorne says. "It’s a small group and that helps with the music. It’s not just the notes or ringing the correct way, but how they put their spirit into it. If they feel more familiar working with one another, it really shows in the music and the way they ring."
The Westminster Concert Bell Choir, conducted by Kathleen Ebling-Thorne, will perform its spring concert at Bristol Chapel, Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Hamilton Avenue and Walnut Lane, Princeton, April 30, 3 p.m. Tickets cost $15, $10 seniors/students. For information, call (609) 921-2663. On the Web: westminster.rider.edu
The 32nd Annual Central New Jersey Handbell Festival, featuring 13 handbell choirs from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, will be held at Rider University’s Alumni Gymnasium, Route 206, Lawrence, April 30, 7 p.m. Free will offering. For information, call (908) 526-4507 before April 30.