Our Organization
We engage people in the joy and sense of community that music fosters
through participation and performance.
Chime In! is a cooperative intergenerational community of more than 25 years that continues to grow in membership and musicianship. Through music we create and build community and become part of something greater than ourselves. Our informal style and inclusive approach encourage anyone to be part of our Chime In! family, as we welcome and mentor people of any age and of all ranges of musical ability and experience.
Originally a church-based family of handbell choirs, we became a non-profit community organization that now includes multiple handbell choirs and ensembles and a children’s chorus, We Sing!.
Chime In! concerts are interactive with Q&A sessions, audience participation, and the after-concert petting zoo for audience members to try out all of the instruments. At many of our performances we invite you to play bells, chimes and even some of our more exotic instruments – djembes, shakers, rain sticks, beads, even jingle bells.
Our invitation’s in our name: Chime In! We present music both sacred and traditional, as well as secular and contemporary.
Our home base is Bethlehem, Connecticut, but we share our handbell music at venues near and far throughout the year. From Main Stage at the Bethlehem Fair to Carnegie Hall to local nursing homes, we are passionate about making and sharing our music to build community.
If you think you want to try your hand at ringing, join us at 7:00 pm on any Tuesday for our regular rehearsal at First Church of Bethlehem. No musical or ringing experience is required. Come watch us play or chime right in!