In 1974, under the vision and inspiration of Rev. Charles Hamnett, a two octave set of Schulmerick handbells were ordered as part of the youth program of the Calvin United Presbyterian Church in Scottdale, PA. Mrs. Marilyn Kiefer was asked to teach and direct the handbell program, another task that she is still performing today. The first handbell choir consisted of junior and senior high school youth. Later, a second all-girl group of ringers was formed. Both choirs rang for church and school programs. Next, a junior bell choir was formed. They attended festivals at area college campuses. In 1976, the bell choir rang with the Area II Festival at Valley Forge. In 1985, the church bought a set of Malmark choir chimes for the newly formed children's choir, the "Melody Makers". The adult bell choir, affectionately known as the "Classy Clappers" or the "Ding-A-Lings", has been ringing together since 1986. Although the group performs under the name of the Presbyterian church, its members are ecumenical. Every year throughout the fall, winter and spring, they ring for churches, organizations, banquets, weddings, etc. Each spring, the choir attends the North Hills Handbell Festival in Wexford, PA, where they join more than twenty-five other handbell choirs. They continue to touch all who hear them with the good news though music.

History of Handbells

During the sixteenth century, many of the cathedrals had tower bells. Several of the cathedrals would have five or six bells that were rung in different sequences. To successfully ring these various patterns, which were called bell changes, they had to practice. They decided to have smaller bells made so they could hold them in their hands. Then when it was time to practice, they would stand in a circle as they did when they pulled the ropes on the tower bells.
        This method of bell practicing was so successful that in the seventeenth century, someone decided to take those bells and tune them to the musical scale. This was the beginning of the handbell choir. The bell ringers would tour all through Europe and England. In fact, part of the music written for Handel's "Messiah" was patterned after the music played by bell ringers in Italy at that time.

About the AGEHR

OUR MISSION

The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers was constituted in 1954, growing out of the previously established New England Guild of English Handbell Ringers. The AGEHR is the establishment that organizes many of the massed handbell festivals in the United States. The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers Inc. is dedicated to advancing the musical art of handbell/handchime ringing through education, community and communication. Quoting from the BYLAWS of the Guild, "The objectives of this organization are:

A. To promote the exchange of ideas relating to the

Member of the