April 17, 2008 issue
The Raleigh Ringers Perform at Ashe Civic Center May 3
Story by Corinne Saunders
An advanced, community handbell choir based in our state’s capital, The Raleigh Ringers performs across the country and around the world, and the group will bring its poignant music to the area with a 7:30 p.m. performance Saturday, May 3, in the Ashe Civic Center in West Jefferson.
“They will be playing sacred music as well as everyday, secular music,” said Rebecca Herman, the Ashe County Arts Council program director.
The group performs some tunes that audience members have surely never before heard played on handbells, such as well-known rock ‘n roll songs—that could include anything from Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird”—arranged specifically for handbells.
This performance is sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council and is one of the not-to-miss events on their calendar this year.
“We’re very excited for them to come,” Herman said.
The Raleigh Ringers, founded in 1990, strives to advance the art of handbell ringing and bring the unique music to the widest possible audience. The group conducts handbell workshops, provides commissions and other means for composers and arrangers to develop advanced pieces for handbell choirs and sponsors annual festivals for children who play handbells and for advanced adult ringers.
The Raleigh Ringers is directed by David M. Harris and the group has released four CDs plus a DVD of one of their holiday concerts.
The Raleigh Ringers has performed in Ashe County before, but “this is the first time in several years they’ve been here,” Herman said. “We expect to sell out; it’s a very popular concert.”
Other bellringer groups, church groups and ensembles will come watch the performance, as well as the general public, she added.
Tickets are currently still available and cost $12 for adults, $5 for students and $10 a person in groups of 10 or more.
For more information about the Raleigh Ringers, click to www.rr.org. To purchase tickets, call the Ashe County Arts Council at 336-846-ARTS.
Want To Go?
Date: Saturday, May 3
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Ashe Civic Center, West Jefferson
Cost: $12 adults/$5 students
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
