The combined efforts of the Christ Chapel Bells, the Gustavus Handbell Sextet and the Christ Chapel Ringers will be heard in the Chapel on Saturday, May 17, beginning at 7:30 p.m., as the ensembles present their spring concert. Tickets are not required for this performance, conducted by Chad Winterfeldt. Admission is free and open to the public.
Saturday’s performance will feature music that the three handbell ensembles have been rehearsing and performing during the spring semester. The two full ensembles ring five octaves of handbells and four octaves of handchimes, while the smaller sextet rings a four octave span by performing extended techniques such as four-in-hand and weaving. All three of the ensembles assist regularly in Daily Sabbath worship services on Wednesday mornings.
The Christ Chapel Bells will open Saturday evening’s performance with “Reflection on ‘Holy Manna'” written by Sandra Eithun, and will follow with Matthew Compton’s “I Will Arise and Go to Jesus.” Assisted by oboist Anthony Afful, the Chapel Bells will continue wth “Dies Irae,” written by Michael J. Glasgow, before concluding their set with Jason W. Krug’s “Allegro con moto.”
The Gustavus Handbell Sextet will open its set with two Kevin McChesney arrangements: “Lagrima” (The Tear) by Francisco Tarrega and “The Rejoicing” by George Frideric Handel. The set will close with a composition by senior music major and member of the Sextet, Katie Landreville. Landreville’s work is titled “Unconditional.”
The final set of the evening will be presented by the Christ Chapel Ringers. Once again, Kevin McChesney’s music will be featured as it was by the Sextet. The Ringers will open with McChesney’s “Now The Green Blade Riseth,” followed by a Ron Mallory arrangement of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Dearest Jesus, We Are Here.” The Ringer’s set will close with two more works by McChesney, “Ascension,” accompanied by pianist Erik Blomquist and “Toccata No. 2” (The St. Francis Suite).
The Gustavus Handbell Ensembles’ Spring Concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel on Saturday, May 17. The concert will feature the Christ Chapel Bells, the Gustavus Handbell Sextet and the Christ Chapel Ringers, conducted by Chad Winterfledt. This performance is free and open to the public.