St. John’s again invites listeners to experience music of the holiday season with the exceptional Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble, 4 p.m., Sunday, December 3rd. The program, entitled “Jingle Bells,” will be directed by Ron Bellamy and features sacred and secular handbell arrangements for the holiday season. The concert will send you into the night with the warmth of delightful music.
PHE is a community ensemble comprised of auditioned, advanced-level handbell ringers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Musically, PHE’s repertoire spans original compositions, transcriptions of classical literature, and arrangements from a wide array of musical genres.
The Ensemble currently plays on six and one-half octaves of Schulmerich bells. In addition, PHE plays two octaves of Schulmerich Silver Melody Bells, five octaves of MelodyChime® chimes, and the lower sixth and seven octaves of Malmark Choirchime® chimes. A large number of percussion instruments round out the Ensemble’s artistic presentation.
An advanced range of ringing techniques allows the Ensemble to move beyond the traditional handbell sound and redefines the character of a single instrument, whether it’s through percussive stopped sounds or poignant echoes or a shimmering decrescendo. Unlike an orchestra or choir in which each musician is responsible for one line of the texture, a handbell ensemble acts as one instrument, with each musician responsible for particular notes as they appear in the music.
There is no admission charge; however, a freewill offering will be received.