The

Are Coming!*

Thursday, June 26
7 p.m.
at Manchester United Methodist Church
*Again

Tickets: $15 advance, $20 at the door
Contact: MUMC's Handbell Program Director, Sherry Boland, for more information on purchasing tickets.

Just how good are Raleigh Ringers? Some videos might help answer that question:

Watch them perform "Wizards in Winter" by Transiberian Orchestra, or watch them perform in on Christmas Eve in Sarajevo.

You may also want to listen to some audio files on their website.

Basically, they are one of the best handbell choirs in the world, and they're coming to Manchester United Methodist Church!

ABOUT THE RALEIGH RINGERS

The Raleigh Ringers is an internationally advanced community handbell ensemble consisting of auditioned musicians under the direction of David M. Harris.  Since its founding in 1990, The Raleigh Ringers has been dazzling concert audiences with unique interpretations of sacred, secular and popular music including famous rock tunes arranged just for handbells.  The Raleigh Ringers has released four CDs, and a DVD available to purchase at their concert. The Raleigh Ringers also sponsors a yearly festival for children who play handbells and a festival for advanced adult ringers.

Established as a non-profit organization, The Raleigh Ringers work toward the following goals: 

*  Bringing advanced sacred and secular handbell music to the widest possible audience.
*  Promoting the art of handbell ringing through sponsoring and participating in workshops, tours and other educational and performing opportunities.
*  Encouraging handbell composers and arrangers to create works for advanced handbell choirs through commissions and other means.
*  Helping less experienced handbell musicians develop their ringing, directing and organizational skills.
 
The group performs on seven and one-half octaves of Malmark Handbells, five octaves of Whitechapel Handbells, three and a half octaves of Petit & Fritsen Handbells, two octaves of Schulmerich Silver Melody Bells, four octaves of Schulmerich MelodyWave instruments, four octaves of Whitechapel cup bells, two octaves of Deagan Handbells, and six octaves of Malmark Choirchimes.  Additional handbell needs are supplied by Schulmerich Carillons. 

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Director: David M. Harris 
David M. Harris has been the director of The Raleigh Ringers since January 1990, when he was instrumental in the formation of the group.  He was previously director of the handbell program at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church and has studied conducting privately with Dr. William A. Payn of Bucknell University. David studied music while earning a degree in computer science at the Pennsylvania State University; he is a manager in software development.  He has served the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) as North Carolina State Chairman and as Area III Treasurer. He is also in increasing demand as a clinician and guest director.  After growing up in the Northeast, David moved to Raleigh with his wife, Kristina. Dave and Kris have three children: Daniel, Kate, and Jennifer.

A church with an outstanding music program, many choral and handbell choirs are open to all ages.  Come ring with us, we always need ringers! AND join us on Sunday, May 4, at 3:00 p.m. for our annual Spring Ring Concert.