Plymouth Handbells

Plymouth is proud to offer a variety of handbell and handchime opportunities for all ages. Our choirs perform during worship services about once a month and rehearse once each week from September until May.

Children’s and Youth choirs are focused on both pedagogy and music in worship. As ringers gain knowledge and progress in the structure and musicality of ensemble ringing, they are introduced to music literature that enhances liturgical worship.

All handbell choirs participate in a concert in early December, presenting seasonal music performed individually by each choir, and ringing en masse.

Register here

Meet our staff

Children’s Handchime Choir | Grades 3-5

Young ringers will make music as an ensemble as they learn the basics of ringing and performing. In addition to learning music for worship, rehearsal times include games focusing on note and rhythm identification, ensemble ringing, and community-building. Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evening from 6:10 to 6:50 pm.

Director: Kate McLean
Assisted by Beth Ann Edwards, Elaine Lippert
Program Year: September to early May
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 6:10 – 6:50 p.m. | Rehearsal in Rehearsal Hall
Worship: Sundays, as scheduled about 4 times per semester
8:25 to 8:45 a.m. warm-up for the 9 a.m. Service

Plymouth Youth Handbells | Grades 6-12

Plymouth Youth Handbells offers a unique and rewarding musical experience, continuing the music education and ensemble-building skill growth introduced in Children’s Handchime Choir. Youth Handbells provides young musicians the opportunity to develop their ensemble and instrumental skills and to contribute to worship through the expressive sound of handbells. Youth Handbells includes two components: High School Ensemble, and Grades 6-7-8 Youth Handbells. Both choirs meet on Wednesdays from 5:15 – 6:00 pm.

Beth Ann’s leadership creates a collaborative environment where each student is challenged to reach their full potential while growing spiritually through the art of handbell ringing.

Director: Beth Ann Edwards
Assisted by: Kate McLean, Elaine Lippert, Marta Neill
Program Year: September to early May
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 5:15-6:00 p.m.
Rehearsal in Rehearsal Hall and Room 308
8:00 to 8:30 a.m. warm-up for the 9 a.m. service

Plymouth Bells | Adult Handbells

Plymouth Bells provides opportunities for intermediate- and advanced-level ringers to rehearse each week and provide worship music at both the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services about once a month. Jenn brings to the ensemble a wealth of knowledge in music education and integrating handbell music into worship.

Director: Jenn Petersen
Program Year: September to mid-May
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Rehearsal in Rehearsal Hall

No Stress! Handbell Class

No Stress! Handbell Class takes place in three sessions throughout the year. Classes typically take place in Rehearsal Hall on Fridays at 10 a.m. Attendees learn the basics, work on skill-building, and ring some tunes. No previous ringing or music experience is necessary. This non-performance class, led by Beth Ann Edwards, is designed for anyone interested in hanging out with friends and ringing handbells:

Beginners who might have no previous ringing experience
Ringers who want to refresh their skills or get up-to-speed for ringing with a choir
People who enjoy making music with friends
Contact Beth Ann Edwards to sign up.