Handbells ring in Kokomo this weekend
Nearly 100 musicians from seven churches to perform at Bible Baptist on Saturday
Handbells are ringing this weekend at Bible Baptist Church. A handbell choir made of up close to 100 ringers representing seven local churches will be performing under the direction of Rhonda Blacklock, Director of Purdue Bells and Heart & Soul Ensembles at Purdue Musical Organizations on Sat., March 5, at 5:30 p.m.
First Christian Handbell Choir members practice in advance of this weekend’s performance (left to right): Ruth Pedigo, Mary Jo McClellan, Keith Woods, Lesley Connolly, Jenny Braught
A professional musician and church handbell choir director, Blacklock talked about the uniqueness of handbell performances.
“With the handbell choir, everyone’s part is important,” she noted. “It’s kind of like playing the piano. If there are keys missing, there are gaps within the melody line or the accompaniment.”
Each of the local groups is playing a different part in the spectacular, as the group from Kokomo’s First Christian noted in a recent rehearsal. Directed by five-year veteran choir director Cindy Ison, the First Christian group consists of nine people with various types of handbells covering three octaves of music. “Some churches have five octaves,” stated Ison.
When asked why they liked playing handbells, the First Christian group had various answers. Handbell player Jenny Braught said that she signed up because, “There was a need,” she said. Fellow bell musician Mary Jo McClellan told of a “passion” she felt for the unique sound the handbells made.
When asked what drew her to directing handbell choirs, Blacklock replied, “In my position at Purdue, I am privileged to work with some really outstanding students who love the art form. None are music majors, so they are attracted to the ensemble by its uniqueness and sound. There are several students who never touched a handbell before they came to their audition.”
Rhonda Blacklock, Director of Purdue Bells and Heart & Soul Ensembles at Purdue Musical Organizations
The extra-large, local group of handbells represents musicians from Bible Baptist, Redeemer Lutheran, First Presbyterian, St. Luke’s United Methodist, Grace United Methodist, First Friends, and First Christian churches. When asked about the size of the handbell group, Blacklock admitted it can be a challenge directing a large group of the instruments.
“My group at Purdue is 24 ringers strong, which is a double handbell choir,” she stated. “Everyone who comes to events like this have different levels of abilities and experiences, so a director must be sensitive to that.”
“A Vespers Service: An Evening of Scripture and Music,” featuring a multi-church handbell choir, will be presented at Bible Baptist Church, 2635 Dixon Road. The service is free to the public. Call the church at 765-455-1444 for more information about the event.