Local bell choirs are part of the sounds of the season

Susan Hassett of Katonah has been ringing handbells for 45 years. Herb Foster Photos

By HERBERT FOSTER 

This time of year, holiday music surrounds us: in ads, in stores, and on the street. But one type of music can stand out and capture the spirit of the season — the sounds of a handbell choir. 

The Katonah Presbyterian Church has three such choirs, and they will perform at the annual Katonah Christmas tree lighting Sunday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m., at St. Luke’s Church.

Watching and listening to a handbell choir can be fascinating, not only because of the beautiful music but also considering the amount of precision and coordination required. Each member is assigned a specific bell or sets of bells that play certain notes. They work from a musical score arranged for handbells, which indicates when each bell should be rung. Each ringer is responsible for playing their assigned notes accurately — the timing is crucial.

Sam Munson with the larger bells.

The Katonah Celebration Ringers, the most established and recognized of the church choirs, has traveled the world, including four different continents. In 1994, they were selected as the sole choir to represent the U.S. at an international solo concert in Adelaide, Australia. Along with their sister choir at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasantville, they’ve also played at the demilitarized zone in Korea, in a cave for a television station in New Zealand, and at Carnegie Hall.

Last year, the members participated in the International Handbell Symposium in Japan. This summer, the choir will attend the symposium again, in Scotland, staying for a few days to tour the country and perform in other cities.

There are two other choirs: the junior choir, where beginners and younger players get familiar with the bells, the beat and the music. After one year (mandatory) and showing proficiency, they can move up to the next level, the chamber choir. In total, there are about 30 people in the handbell choirs. While they are currently mostly church members, they welcome new members, especially younger ringers.

The church currently owns 78 bells (six octaves), with a duplicate set of 39 bells of three octaves and 91 hand chimes, all very valuable. The bells vary in size and weight, ranging a few ounces for the small bronze bells to over 10 pounds, with one bell weighing 13 pounds. Every bell and chime has either been donated in memory of a loved one or purchased using memorial funds. The bells and chimes themselves were manufactured (and maintained) in Pennsylvania.

A number of the choir members have many years of experience.

Susan Hassett of Katonah has been playing handbells for 45 years. A member of the church and a flutist, she joined when she was very young.

“It was a good place to get known, and do something with other people. It was just kind of the thing you did at church when you were that age,” she said.

In the choir, she plays four small bells, two in each hand, playing the notes C and D in two different octaves.

Nancy Barletta, also from Katonah, started when one of her children joined.

“My kids started when they were in third grade,” she said. “I started with them because a lot of parents liked to join in with their kids. That was 15 years ago.”

Margaret Gorman of Mahopac joined when she was in the third grade as well.

“I went to church here. I went to an all-girls school, and there were boys in the choir. Plus, the ringing is really cool here.”

The choirs play during Sunday services regularly. 

“There is an energy of light and excitement whenever the bells play,” the Rev. Martin McGeachy said of what handbells can bring to a service. “Everybody looks forward to it, and it just lifts up the energy in such a dynamic and joyous way.”

Eunkyung “Grace” Woo is director of music for the Presbyterian Church, overseeing all of their vocal choirs and the handbell program as well. Scott Munson ran the program previously and has been running the junior ringers for 11 years. Woo is well known as a pianist, organist, composer and arranger with a diverse musical background, and is also on the faculty of the Academy of the Holy Angels. When she first started, COVID-19 was active, so she had challenges: she had to direct and give instructions with a face mask and use a bullhorn to be heard.

“Handbell music is unique because of its clear, beautiful tone,” she said. “The sound rings and floats in the air, and people find it calming and uplifting. It is also very visual — you can see the ringers move together as one group. No one plays alone; every person is needed. That is what makes handbell music special and touching for many people.”

The Katonah Celebration Ringers will also have a benefit concert Sunday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m., with the Emanuel Ringers at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasantville. All donations will go to Feeding Westchester.