WESLEY CARILLON AND BELL CHOIRS
Wesley Carillon director: Peggy Brengle [email protected]
Children of Hope director: Linda Wood [email protected] |
when in our music god is glorifiedDuring the years from 1982 to present, in addition to regular contributions to worship, the WUMC bell choirs of all age groups have at one time or another participated in festivals, workshops, and community outreach events. Presently, the Wesley Carillon (ages high school through adult) plays six time per year in worship utilizing 3-5 octaves of Malmark bells and handchimes. Children of Hope handbell choir rings in worship several times throughout the year.
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Our Bell Choir HistoryThe
late Joe Chalker, longtime member of WUMC, was the founding director of our
church’s adult bell choir. Memorial
funds were designated for the purchase of a three-octave set of bells, rung for
the first time in worship on Christmas Eve, 1982. In January 1984, Linwood Row
assumed leadership of the choir that became officially known as “Wesley Carillon.” During the next several years the bell
program expanded to include a youth handbell choir and “Bells on the Hill”, an
outreach from our church for Western Maryland College students that lasted for
several years. Within a few short years the bell program was expanded with the
addition of the “Praise Chime Choir” for children under the leadership of Bill
Pond, using a three-octave set of handchimes (37) purchased from Malmark.
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Evolution of our Bell ChoirsIn Spring 1992, Larry and Debbie Henning were hired as interim directors to replace Linwood Row, who “retired” from his volunteer directorship. In the fall of 1993, Laura Baker was hired as director of handbell choirs and youth choral groups, a position she held for 17 years. Under Laura’s leadership, participation in the bell program continued to grow to include “Praise Bells” choir for children and “Alive & Ringing” choir for youth. In the fall of 2010, the leadership for the handbell choirs became all volunteer including Peggy Brengle, Handbell Coordinator; Kyler Brengle, Wesley Carillon (college students & adults); Bill Pond, Alive and Ringing (grades 6-12); Johanna Evans (2010) and Donna Kattermann (2011) Praise Bells (grades 3-5). Presently, our directors include: Peggy Brengle, Wesley Carillon; Linda Wood, Children of Hope (grades 3-6).
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The handbell choirs at WUMC have touched many lives, both ringers and hearers, not the least of which are those who currently ring that have participated since the very beginning; that’s 30 years and counting! In the bell rehearsal room hangs a vibrant, colorful banner, made by Donna Kattermann for the dedication of the bells. The banner describes what we believe the handbell choir’s role at church and in worship to be:
When in our music God is glorified . |