The 100 handbell ringers will come from New York and Virginia to Riverside Church to toll more than 400 handbells of varying sizes for a concert on Sunday, April 6. The gathering of choirs will feature six handbell ensembles, an increase from the four that have participated in the past, including the Katonah Celebration Ringers and Pleasantville's The Emanuel Ringers.
“Attendees of the English Handbell Festival at Riverside this year are in for a real treat,” said Christopher Johnson, Riverside Church organist and music director of music, according to a press release. “We are excited to once again host some of the region’s most talented musicians, all coming together at Riverside to perform in unity for one of our largest concerts of the year. It’s going to be bigger and better than ever.”
The program will feature guest conductor David Harris of Raleigh, N.C., who will direct the nearly 100 handbell ringers as they perform a variety of compositions by composers from around the world. The handbell ensembles include The Riverside Ringers (New York City), The Emanuel Ringers (Pleasantville), Katonah Celebration Ringers (Katonah), Mitchell Ringers (Annandale, Va.), Hewitt School Handbell Choir (New York City) and Christ Church Handbell Choir (New York City).
Tickets to the festival will be available at the door and are $20 for adults and $15 for senior citizens and students. For additional information, call the Riverside music department at 212-870-6722 or email music@theriversidechurchny.org.
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