Hand Bells
Playing Music to God for your enjoyment for over 20 years!
Bell Choir
Conductor: George M. Roper
2007 - 2008 Ringers: Wendy Thompson, Teresa Caldwell, Christina Link, Janet Larson, Jason Rasmussen, Yvonne Whitehead, Norma Rasmussen, Larry Whitehead, Laura Lintvedt, Kieley Rasmussen and Chuck Lintvedt. Carol Roper is not pictured.
This picture was taken at the 2008 bell choir's Epiphany concert. The 2008 Epiphany Concert was held in January. The reception that followed was hosted by Suzanne Carter, Leslie Kliphardt and other members of the church.
The "Rainbow Ringers", an English Hand bell Choir performs many religious songs and hymns at the end of their ringing season for their Spring concert. The members and friends of the church provide refreshments at the conclusion of all concerts.
The Rainbow Ringers belong to the American Guild of English Hand bell Ringers.
AGEHR has a three day bell festival every other year where all the hand bell choirs from the Northwest region gather to perform together. Although the ringing season is finished at the end of the school year, many ringers will continue to practice through early July. The conductor for the mass concert makes a selection of music that is practiced prior to the festival. Many times the Conductor has also composed music for hand bell choirs. The 2008 festival will be held in Yakima, WA.
Before attending the festival, all choirs must register in one of three skill level categories. Tins are generally new choirs or smaller groups. Coppers are the more advanced groups with experienced ringers and are generally larger choirs that have been established for several years. Bronze choirs are usually the best ringers around. Typically they are larger groups which sometimes may require try outs or auditions to part of the choir. Many of these groups travel and perform for paying audiences. Some have been featured on national television and even performed at the Presidential Inauguration.
The Rainbow Ringers are a Coppers level group with some Tin and Bronze level ringers. George and Carol also support and direct a Hand Chime Choir. Most ringers in this group are school children that practice each Wednesday afternoon during the school year. The "Ringing Rainbows" perform at all Bell concerts and offer special music during worship services through out the year. Anyone interested in being a part of either group can contact George Roper at 488-3719.
Members of the AGEHR gather and practice together for two days before putting on a mass concert that can have as many as 700 ringers. Ringers are encouraged to participate in the many workshops that are provided. Ringers have an opportunity to develop their ringing techniques and ring a multitude of music. Venders are also available to provide new tools and toys along with recent music releases. George hopes to have all his ringers attend the 2008 festival which is scheduled for mid-July next year.
Othello is part of the Area X portion of AGEHR which includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia and Alberta.
The Rainbow Ringers raise funds to attend the bi-annual festival by selling crafts and by funds raised from their annual indoor yard sale held at the Othello Christian Church each summer. Donations are always welcome.