Handbells

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Bells have been associated with religion for many centuries, but tuned bells - each one having a certain pitch - only started to make their debut in the 1700's and flourished by the middle of the 19th century.  Handbells were used for worship services, concerts, and even competitions!  While interest somewhat dwindled around the turn of the 20th century, organizations such as the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers revived the art of handbell ringing, and it is quite popular today, especially in houses of worship.

The First Congregational Church of Madison has owned a set of Malmark Handchimes for a number of years.  Resembling oversized tuning forks, handchimes are rung similarly to handbells but have a more mellow, softer tone.  They are physically lighter and are found to be somewhat easier to ring than handbells and therefore are quite popular with younger ringers.  The three-octave set of handbells owned by the church were rung occasionally for worship during the 1990's and early 2000's but ceased activity during a search for a new music director.  The handchimes were locked away and sat unused for a number of years.

Soon after Nathan Bayreuther was hired as Director of Music Ministry, he explored the possibility of a new handchime choir, and a group of dedicated ringers began rehearsals in September of 2007.  Having previously taught handbell ringing at the First Congregational Church of New London, he sought to have a set of handbells for Madison.  The New London church graciously lent their handbells for six months, and shortly thereafter the Madison church bought their own bells through a very generous gift from the church's Memorials Commission.

 

Handchime choir in New London with Rev. Cathy Zall (second from right)

On Sunday, June 22nd, 2008, the Handchime Choir went to the First Congregational Church of New London to play during their worship service as their way of saying "thank you" for lending their bells.  As chance would have it, the three-octave (37 bells) set of brand new handbells from the Schulmerich Handbell Company arrived in Madison the very next day!  Since then, the rotating Handbell Choir has played in church about once a month using both handbells and handchimes.  The beautiful sound of both instruments have enhanced the worship services greatly and are a pleasure to hear and play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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