BELLS WILL BE RINGING

What’s Christmas without bells ringing?  Exactly I thought to myself.  That’s why I opted to head over to Tucson last weekend and attend the final concert of the 2017 season for Sonoran Bells.  

Shannon Casey, Conductor and Artistic Director of Sonoran Bells

Sonoran Bells is an audition based community handbell ensemble based in Tucson, Arizona and established in 1999.  As an original member of the organization, I performed with Sonoran Bells for 13 years from 1999-2012.  Had I not moved from Tucson perhaps I would be ringing with them still.

Their final concert of the year was one that would certainly put you in the Christmas spirit with the playing of such favorites as “Sing We Now of Christmas”, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”,  “Greensleeves”, “Carol of the Latin Bells”, “Oh Holy Night”, “Sleigh Ride”, “The First Noel” and “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” to name a few.  The evening also included two selections performed by the duet team of Kyle Hood and Conductor Shannon Casey.   

The group performs on a five-octave set of Malmark handbells, a five-octave set of Malmark Choirchimes, a three-octave set of Whitechapel handbells, and a three-octave set of Petit-Fritsen handbells.

The group has recorded two CD’s.  SONORAN HOLIDAY is a  16-track copulation that includes a selection of well-known Christmas tunes. CD’s can be purchased at their website. 

Sonoran Holiday CD cover

Fall 2017 ringing members include Allyn Baker, Cindy Curtis, Dr. Stephanie Hartung, Kathy Hendrickson, Kyle Hood, Karen Kaneko Baker, JoAnn Luther, Michi Michalsky, Arwen Newman and Dr. Raymond Ryder.  As you can see I love this group and am very proud of the impact they have on their community.