Bells of the Lakes BellFest! is an annual ringing festival for handbell ensembles. It’s a terrific way to perk up a long Minnesota winter. As many as forty handbell ensembles and all of their ringing equipment gather on a chosen Saturday to ring under the direction of a guest clinician. The repertoire, learned ahead of time, is rehearsed in this massed setting, and a concert for the public is performed in the afternoon. Participating groups are encouraged to ring a solo piece at the concert. Refreshments are offered at the mid-morning break and a lunch option is offered.

Bill Mathis, Director of Music at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church and director of Bells of the Lakes, is the director for Bellfest! this year.

Food, bells, fun, a guest clinician and a concert for the public……BellFest!

BellFest! 2009 will again be held at North Heights Lutheran Church at the Arden Hills campus (www.nhlc.org) on Saturday, March 7, 2009.  Mark your calendars!  Rehearsals will begin at 8:30 AM, there will be a morning break, lunch, and an afternoon concert at 3:00 PM.  Expect a full day of fun ringing!  Registration forms are available below.

The repertoire chosen for BellFest! 2009 is:

Glad Adoration, McChesney; Agape 2426; 3-5; opt. flute; L2

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, Sherman; Agape 1732; 3-5; L2

Joy and Elation, Dobrinski; Agape 2457; 3-5; flute; L2+

Cantabile, Li; AGEHR AG35244; 3-5; L3

One Star, Hakes; Choristers Guild MCGB548; 3-5; narrator, soloist; L2

Down by the Riverside, Waldrop; Alfred MAP27055; 3-5; L3-

Download the rehearsal notes (.doc)

Download the registration form for groups of five or more

Download the registration form for individuals (four or fewer)