Westminster Concert Bell Choir
Kathleen Ebling-Thorne, director
The 14-member Westminster Concert Bell Choir is composed of undergraduate and graduate students from both of Rider University's campuses.
Hailed for its virtuosity, the Westminster Concert Bell Choir uses the largest range of handbells in the world – 8 octaves, from C1 to C9. Many of the bells are made of bronze and range in weight from four ounces to 11 pounds; the Choir also uses the large “Basso Profundo” aluminum-cast bells that are a new phenomenon in handbell ringing. The Choir supplements their handbell set with a six-octave set of Malmark Choirchime® instruments from C2 to C8 – the widest range in existence.
The Westminster Concert Bell Choir has appeared on Public Television’s “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” and several holiday broadcasts of the “Today” show, including one in which the ensemble was joined by NBC television personalities Katie Couric and Willard Scott. It has also been featured on New Jersey Network's "State of the Arts" program. The ensemble's holiday performances have been heard annually on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today,” and it is included on NPR’s Christmas Around The Country II recording. The choir made its Carnegie Hall debut in December 2000.
Previous seasons have included joining Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Charlotte Church and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for a critically acclaimed 15-city tour entitled “A Royal Christmas.” The Choir has made seven recordings: Westminster Concert Bell Choir, Christmas Bells,Westminster Rings!, Praise and Adoration and Christmas at Westminster: The Westminster Concert Bell Choir, Westminster Concert Bell Choir: By Request,and and its newest CD Westminster Concert Bell Choir - 30th Anniversary Collection, which are available at http://www.westminsterchoircollege.org/.
| Performance |
Performer(s) | Date(s)/Location(s) |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir Admission: $20 adults and $15 students/seniors; Box office: 609-921-2663 |
Saturday, December 6, 8 p.m. Bristol Chapel | |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir Admission: $20 adults and $15 students/seniors; Box office: 609-921-2663 |
Sunday, April 19, 4 p.m. Bristol Chapel | |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir Free Will Offering |
Sunday, April 26 7 p.m. Community Presbyterian Church | |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir Free Will Offering |
Monday, May 18 7:30 p.m. Community Presbyterian Church | |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir Free Will Offering |
Tuesday, May 19 7 p.m. Valley Church | |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir Free Will Offering |
Wednesday, May 20 7 p.m. First Presbyterian Church | |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir Free Will Offering |
Thursday, May 21 7 p.m. First United Methodist Church of Glendale | |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir Free Will Offering |
Sunday, May 24 4 p.m. Orangewood Presbyterian Church | |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir Free Will Offering |
Wednesday, May 27 7 p.m. Mountain View Presbyterian Church | |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir Free Will Offering |
Friday, May 29 7:30 p.m. St. Peter Lutheran Church | |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir Free Will Offering |
Sunday, May 31 4 p.m. St. Andrew Episcopal Church | |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir $15 & $10 |
Monday, June 1 8 p.m. Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
| |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir Free Will Offering |
Wednesday, June 3 7:30 p.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church | |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir Free Will Offering |
Thursday, June 4 7 p.m. First United Methodist Church | |
Westminster Concert Bell Choir Free Will Offering |
Friday, June 5 7:30 p.m. St. Mark Lutheran Church | |
