Plymouth bell choir hits high note with U.S. tour / LJWorld.com

Archive for Thursday, June 8, 2006

June 8, 2006

Plymouth Bell ringers, including Gabe Ballard-Hanson, left, 14, and Kate Kennedy, 15, rehearse for an upcoming performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The group of 24 bell ringers, ranging from eighth-graders to college freshmen, leave on Friday for a concert tour to D.C. and back.

Ding, dong, ding ...

That's the sound the Plymouth Ringers have echoing in their ears after thrice-daily bell choir practices.

The ringers are gearing up for a two-week tour starting Friday that will take them 3,218 miles across the country. They will ring bells in Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and even at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

That performance will be broadcast live on the Kennedy Center's Web site.

Ringer Sarah Cigard, 13, said she was a little nervous to perform at such a large and famous venue.

"I don't think there's much performing you can do without getting a little nervous," Sarah said.

The Plymouth Ringers are the premier bell choir at Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vt. This year there are 24 ringers, all between the ages of 13 and 18. They usually perform on Sundays at the church, but each summer the ringers culminate their season with a tour.

Photo by Thad Allender

Brass bells shine as bell ringers from the Plymouth Congregational Church wait for their conductor's cue.

On this tour, the ringers will play 12 concerts. Along the way, the group will stop to sightsee in places such as New York City and the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Barbara Kelly, who started the Plymouth handbell program 32 years ago, still teaches bells and helps organize the tours.

"I've been doing it for so long, and it's still fun," she said.

Audio: Plymouth Ringers performing "Memory" by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Over the years, the Plymouth Ringers have played everywhere from tiny churches to grand concert halls. They even rang for the Queen of England once.

Bill Kelly, Barbara Kelly's son and director of the Plymouth Ringers, says he cares more about the performance than who it's for.

"To me, it's all important. If the queen's out there, so be it. She's no more important than somebody that walks in off the street," he said. "I just want the kids to learn, to be able to share and always do their very best no matter what it is."

What: The Plymouth Ringers' open rehearsal for their upcoming tour

Where: Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vt.

When: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today

How much: Free