Music for English Handbells Rings Out in Red Bank

RED BANK, NJ —The Tower Hill Concert Series presents the Calvin and Chapel Handbell Ringers in concert June 5, at 7 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church at Red Bank, 255 Harding Road. Under the direction of Adam K. Peithmann, the ringers, who are students at area high schools and middle schools, will play two 5-octave sets of bronze bells (a total of 127 bells) and four octaves of choir chimes.

The eclectic program includes both sacred and secular works. They include the favorite hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” the Overture from the Rossini opera, “The Barber of Seville,” and “Rhythmic Rip,” a contemporary work in which the ringers use mallets to achieve percussive sound.

The concert is presented without charge. An offering will be taken to offset expenses of the handbell ringers’ upcoming summer tour to Berlin, Germany.

Founded in 1967, the Calvin and Chapel Ringers are the two touring bell choirs of the church. Over the years, the groups have established a national reputation. They have performed at the White House, Epcot Center at Disney World, Disneyland, the Crystal Cathedral in California, the Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center, and at New York’s South Street Seaport for a national telecast on New Year’s Eve. Past tours have taken them to Europe, Scandinavia and Canada, and they have toured widely in the United States.

The church is handicapped-accessible. For additional information on Tower Hill Concert Series events, call 732-747-1348.