The handbell choir program at Plymouth Congregational Church has been a part of John and Lori Michel’s family for decades.

The Lawrence couple got involved with the program as soon as it started, around 1974, and they’re still ringing.

Both the couple’s children got involved in the church’s handbell choirs when they were in sixth grade, and they stayed with it through their early years in college.

“Have you ever rung bells?” Lori Michels says. “You have to give it a try. It’s fun, and it’s just another way to express music and work together as a unit, like a band or an orchestra.”

The talents of the handbell choirs, with performers from sixth grade through adulthood — including John and Lori — will be on display for the community at the 29th annual Plymouth Music Festival at 7 p.m. Sunday in the church’s sanctuary, 925 Vt.

Barbara Kelly, director of the handbell program at Plymouth, has been at every festival since the first one, in spring of 1975.

“I do look forward to it, and the kids do. It’s a chance to show how much you have learned, and for those who come, it’s fun to see how the people in the choirs progress in their abilities,” says Kelly, who started the program with her late husband, William L. Kelly Sr.

Their son Bill Kelly Jr., a science teacher at South Junior High School, will conduct the choirs Sunday.

“It’s fun to watch them come together as a group and accomplish the task that’s put in front of them. I think there’s a lot more to it than just playing the notes — you have to put an awful lot of emotion into it,” Bill says.

“It’s a good learning experience for the kids. I think they get enjoyment watching the people (in the audience) smile when they play well.”

Four handbell choirs will perform Sunday: sixth-graders, seventh-graders, the Plymouth Ringers (high school age) and the Covenant Ringers (the adult choir).

Each of the four choirs will perform two pieces of classical or secular music. Also, the chapel choir — a vocal choir made up of students from second through seventh grades — will perform, directed by Robin Liston.

The free program will last about one hour. Past festivals have attracted 200 to 300 people to Plymouth’s sanctuary.

There are about 60 people, adults and youth, who participate in the church’s handbell choir program.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun to see how it’s all going to come together. Usually, everyone has put their best foot forward,” Barbara said.

Spencer Lott, a 16-year-old sophomore at Free State High School, has been a bell ringer since he was in sixth grade. Now he’s a member of the Plymouth Ringers, which is considered the crown jewel of the program.

He’s a festival veteran, too.

“You get your choir together, practice and make sure you’ve got your songs perfected, because you’re going to perform in front of so many people who look forward to it every year,” he said of the annual event at Plymouth.

“We sort of work as a team to make sure all the bells are rung and everything gets covered.”