Bell Ringers Offering 'Diverse' Concert

Many people associate hand bell choirs with Christmas songs, but the Three Rivers Ringers are out to change that perception with musical pieces that range from classical to Broadway show tunes.

The Ringers, a newly formed group of 14 musicians from around Pittsburgh and the South Hills, will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Bower Hill Community Church in Mt. Lebanon.

The musicians play different sized bells, but they must work as a cohesive unit to create the music.

“Each bell has its own characteristic and quirks,” said Andy Seay, the group’s managing director. “But one of the challenges is to make all of those sound together as one instrument.”

Seay said Friday night’s concert will feature Broadway tunes, classical music and popular songs played by wind bands. He thinks people will be surprised when they hear songs not usually associated with a hand bell choir.

“It’s a diverse program,” Seay said. “People are going to hear all types of music on this instrument that maybe they’ve heard in other (forms). But it sounds different with hand bells, and you’ll see hand bells in a different light.”

The group held auditions last September and performed its first concert in December. Three Rivers Ringers is using a set of bells and other equipment from the Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church, but the group is thinking about raising the $60,000 needed buy a set of their own.

Friday’s concert is free, but donations are welcomed. For more information about the Ringers, go to www.threeriversringers.org.