A hand bell musical group is ringing in the holiday spirit with a Christmas Eve concert.
Bells United, one of the city’s hand bell groups, met for a final rehearsal at Trinity United Church before the big concert performance on Christmas Eve.
Each of the six group members has a different bell to ring at a specific time. Working together, the bells chimed through the church and ringed a holiday melody.
Choirmaster Marcella Smithers said the ringers will play four or five pieces during the Christmas Eve service and will be accompanied by a violinist and a choir.
“We are going to be ringing this Christmas Eve in our service at 9 p.m.,” Smithers said.
“It is going to be a musical evening. I’m not nervous but I know they are but that’s OK because nerves play a part in a performance. You do fight the nerves every time you have a public performance. I try to calm them down and just ring because we’re here to make music together.”
Since at all members aren’t from the church, the choir meets every Tuesday in order to practice. Smithers said it can be challenge to schedule rehearsals so everyone can attend.
Some members have played for years but this Christmas, a new bell ringer joined. Smithers said it’s important that she work with everyone to ensure that the music is clean and polished for the performance.
The choir rehearses every Tuesday around 4:30 p.m. Smithers said everyone is welcomed to come.
