Our History
In 2002 Winchester United Church purchased a three octave set of handbells manufactured by Malmark of Pennsylvania. An adult and also a children's choir started rehearsing at that time under the direction of the church's organist and choir director, Jim Watson. In 2004, Robert Jones took over the bell choirs, performing in a number of churches in the area as well as our own sanctuary.
From 2012 to 2017, the handbell choirs were under the direction of Colleen Howard. The children's choir became a group more suited to members with little or no music reading experience, and has been renamed the " Bell's Angels." The original adult group also took on a new name, "Raise a Little Bell." For a number of years one of the bell choirs have performed with the Seaway Valley Singers during their Christmas concert.
In 2016, a new bell was added to the collection in memory of Doris Ennis, an original member and great supporter of the choir.
In 2017, Alan Lummiss took over as the director of the program, and the two choirs were condensed into a single choir. The bell choir has performed at concerts, church services, a wedding, and numerous fundraisers of every description!
What we Do
"Bells Angels" rehearse Saturday mornings in the Winchester United Church hall from 10:00-11:15am from September to June. For those who are new to bell ringing or even to reading sheet music, Mr. Lummiss is offering to teach the basic music theory and handbell ringing techniques after rehearsal Saturday mornings.
Here are some recordings done at one of our concerts that you may enjoy.
In 2002 Winchester United Church purchased a three octave set of handbells manufactured by Malmark of Pennsylvania. An adult and also a children's choir started rehearsing at that time under the direction of the church's organist and choir director, Jim Watson. In 2004, Robert Jones took over the bell choirs, performing in a number of churches in the area as well as our own sanctuary.
From 2012 to 2017, the handbell choirs were under the direction of Colleen Howard. The children's choir became a group more suited to members with little or no music reading experience, and has been renamed the " Bell's Angels." The original adult group also took on a new name, "Raise a Little Bell." For a number of years one of the bell choirs have performed with the Seaway Valley Singers during their Christmas concert.
In 2016, a new bell was added to the collection in memory of Doris Ennis, an original member and great supporter of the choir.
In 2017, Alan Lummiss took over as the director of the program, and the two choirs were condensed into a single choir. The bell choir has performed at concerts, church services, a wedding, and numerous fundraisers of every description!
What we Do
"Bells Angels" rehearse Saturday mornings in the Winchester United Church hall from 10:00-11:15am from September to June. For those who are new to bell ringing or even to reading sheet music, Mr. Lummiss is offering to teach the basic music theory and handbell ringing techniques after rehearsal Saturday mornings.
Here are some recordings done at one of our concerts that you may enjoy.
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O Worship The King
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Joyful Rhythm
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Siyahamba
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Canon in D
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To see the Bell's Angels in action, click here.
Come Join the Fun!
The choirs are always looking for new members. If you are interested you may contact Alan Lummiss at bells@winchesterunited.ca for further information.
The following links are tutorials by Rod Lloyd of the Columbia River Handbells on the fundamental techniques of handbell ringing, for anyone interested in learning more.
#1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug6PfUuEm9Y
#2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBiGOrUwbsc
#3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE9P11tpS7M
#4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7peh-ccULqQ
#5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chBd2t-EdRY
Come Join the Fun!
The choirs are always looking for new members. If you are interested you may contact Alan Lummiss at bells@winchesterunited.ca for further information.
The following links are tutorials by Rod Lloyd of the Columbia River Handbells on the fundamental techniques of handbell ringing, for anyone interested in learning more.
#1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug6PfUuEm9Y
#2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBiGOrUwbsc
#3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE9P11tpS7M
#4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7peh-ccULqQ
#5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chBd2t-EdRY