A time-honored musical art form was brought to Brookfield residents Sunday at the Congregational Church of Brookfield. Four different handbell choirs performed over a dozen traditional and modern songs for an appreciative audience.
The first tuned handbells were developed by brothers Robert and William Cor from England between 1696 and 1724.
Hand bells were brought to the United States in 1845 by P. T. Barnum. Barnum, who is from Bethel, Connecticut, dressed the ringers in Swiss costumes and toured the group throughout the country. Because of this colorful introduction, many believe handbells originated in Switzerland and not in England.
The handbell choir tradition has continued throughout the years in churches, schools and festivals since then, and the Congregational Chruch of Brookfield has been ringing them in their sanctuary for the last 40 years.
Led by director Toni Sullivan, the Glory Ringers and Jubilate Ringers opened the afternoon show with a processional of bell ringers walking in gloved hands, ringing their bells. At the end of the processional, they performed Festival Sanctus, Darkest Hour, An American Folk Hymn Sampler, and the modern How Can I Keep From Singing?
The handbell choir ranges in age from eight to "older." This five octave choir features ringers of all skill levels, young and old, male and female. In order to perform the musical numbers and harmonies they create, the ringers must work together, read music and follow their director's lead.
The Praise Ringers were directed by Karen Garren and played Come, Christians Join To Sing, and the theme song to the Pirates of the Caribbean. The younger players performed this song in pirate costumes.
Kumbaya was performed by soloist Sue Bonn.
After intermission the Jubilate Ringers, directed by Steve Lilienthal performed Plink, Plank, Plunk. The Joy Ringers, directed by Jean Dorrell, followed with America, the Beautiful and Toccata. Elegy was also played by the Jubilate Ringers.
The modern song Morning Has Broken, written by Cat Stevens, was done by the Glory Ringers, and featured John Markiewicz on percussion, Steve Lilienthal on the organ and Sandy Lybe on synthesizer.
Lilienthal was featured again in the Pachelbel Canon bell tree solo.
The concert finished out with the Glory Ringers' performance of Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?
The Congregational Church of Brookfield regularly plays five octaves of Schulmerich Handbells and three octaves of Malmark Choir Chimes. Handbells have been a part of their congregation for over 40 years and the choir has performed at local events such as tree lighting ceremonies, nursing homes and festivals.
According to their Handbell Concert program they are a "choir who loves to ring and to share that joy with others."
