The New England Ringers Present
 Oktobellfest with
David Harris

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? BELLS? BARN? BEER? I DON'T GET IT.

Okay, here's the deal. The New England Ringers invited handbell ringers from all over New England to join us in a weekend event. The goal? To bring together bell ringers socially and musically and perform for the public. 

We invited David Harris, the esteemed conductor of the internationally known Raleigh Ringers. We told him there would be beer. He said YES!

In 2021 we had 38 participants from 7 different states. We met each other for the first time on a Friday. We rehearsed all day Saturday, and Sunday we rang in a brewery.. 

Ring in the Autumn (1).docx - Google Docs.pdf

Director David Harris

David M. Harris is in his 33rd season as the music director of The Raleigh Ringers, an internationally-recognized touring handbell ensemble based in Raleigh, NC.  David was instrumental in the formation of this auditioned choir in 1990.  The Raleigh Ringers are in constant demand as featured guest performers for various artist series and handbell festivals around the country.    


2021 Participants

Amie Briggs, New England Ringers

Beth Hansen, New England Ringers and Shrewsbury Ringers, Shrewsbury MA

Betsy Barr, RocCity Ringers from Rochester, NY

Betsy Jane Smith, Formerly of The Festival Ringers, Plymouth Congregational, Lawrence, KS

Carol Elmore, New England Ringers

Cheryl Townsend, New England Ringers, Directorial The Faith Ringers, Groton MA

Christopher Stowell, The Hills Bells, Wellesley Hills Congregational Church

Colin Nagle, Wheeler School Concert Handbell Ringers

Curtis Smith, New England Ringers and Shrewsbury Ringers, Shrewsbury MA

Dan Moore, New England Ringers

David Harris, The Raleigh Ringers

Debbie Young, Granite State Ringers

Donna Horan, Granite State Ringers

Douglas Dixon, Granite State Ringers

Emlee C. Kohler, Back Bay Ringers

Heidi Prior, Granite State Ringers

Hilary Justice, Granite State Ringers

Jacqueline Anderson, RocCity Ringers from Rochester NY, Alleluia Bells, Webster Presbyterian Church, Webster, NY

Jeremy Cooper, Granite State Ringers

Joan Fossum, Granite State Ringers

Joann Osborne, Formerly of Ascension Lutheran, South Burlington, VT & United Methodist Church, Burlington, VT

Kandia Watson, Granite State Ringers

Libby Zobel, The Hills Bells, Wellesley Hills Congregational Church

Linda Franklin, Frederick Community College Handbell Choir, Bells of Grace at Graceham Moravian Church, BC Ringers at Buckingham's choice, a former Westminster Ringer

Linn Clark, Shrewsbury Ringers, First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury, MA

Liz Almstrom, New England Ringers

Martha Goodman, New England Ringers

Martha Stowell, The Hills Bells, Wellesley Hills Congregational Church

Meredith Hirtle, Granite State Ringers

Mike Bonnet, New England Ringers

Mya Dundzila, Granite State Ringers

Nina Orchard, Granite State Ringers

Rebecca Boisvert, Granite State Ringers

Rebecca Peterson,  TPA Ringers, Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey

Rhonda O'Keefe, Granite State Ringers

Susie Amos, New England Ringers

Timothy Jenkins, New England Ringers

Wendy Davis, The Sudbury Bell Ringers and The Westwood Ringers

2021 Program

Hymn to Joy:
arranged by Michael R. Keller

The stirring Beethoven "Ode to Joy". It is with rhythmic vitality, well thought out harmonic changes and effective use of bell techniques that Michael Keller offers this setting of the tune "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" for English handbells. 

Eleanor Rigby:
arranged by Ron Mallory

Ah, look at all the lonely people ... where do they all belong?

Flourish and Dance:
Daniel K Moore, arranger and director

Listen to the back and forth between the two choirs: The New England Ringers and The Granite State Ringers

The Bashful Bass Bell Rag by Lucile I Hultquist
Joan Fossum, director

Performed by The Granite State Ringers

As the Deer: by Martin Nystrom,
arranged by Patricia Sanders Cota
Joan Fossum, director

Performed by the GSR Garage Bell Band

Pick a Winner: by Lew Gillis
Daniel K. Moore, director

Performed by the New England Ringers

All American Hometown Band:
arranged by William R. Wood

The music exudes the flavor of a small-town, fourth-of-July celebration. 

Deutsche Volkslieder:
by Cynthia Dobrinski

Arranged by one of the most famous and prolific handbell composers of the world. Let us raise a glass in her memory. 

America the Beautiful: arranged by Lloyd Larson

At times simple and peaceful, and at others bold and bombastic, sing along to all the key changes!

Sweet Caroline
Arranged by Keith Burt

So Good! So Good! So Good!