The “Praise Ringers” of New Covenant United Methodist Church will be participating in this year’s 6th Annual Florida Handbell Festival and are excited at the opportunity. The group will travel in multiple vehicles to the two-day festival on March 14 and 15, and hopes to bring over a dozen members along.
Betty Williams, the founder of the group, started the “Praise Ringers” some eight years ago with a group of handbells. As more Villagers with experience in the craft moved into the area and showed an interest in joining the group, they expanded into two choirs that meet and practice regularly. The ringers operate five different octaves harmoniously to create their music.
The festival is being held in Winter Park, FL and will host handbell choirs from all over the state of Florida. The groups gather to learn new music under some of the best directors the state has to offer, including conductor Sondra K. Tucker of Tennessee.
Fourteen of the Praise Ringers will be in attendance, including: Marsha Wadd, Carol Bonebrake, Jenny Kuhn (pictured below), Nancy Campbell, Sue Johnson, Kathy Herrick, Peggay Hotaling, Fran Farley, Doris Drewes, Janice Bryan, Marion Wegener, Amanda Wigton, and Judi Higbee.
If you would like to watch the Praise Ringers perform live, visit New Covenant United Methodist Church on the last Sunday of any month during any one of the three services offered. The next performance offered by the group will be during the three services offered on February 23, 2014. Click here to view a photo album that we compiled while we visited with the Praise Ringers.