It’s bell time

KateLynn Slaamot
NLJ Correspondent
 
While handbell choirs may not be common, Newcastle’s adult choir has been going strong for over 16 years, and it currently has 11 established members.
For those unfamiliar with handbells, a handbell choir’s goal is to produce distinguishable music through the bells. Choirs use sheet music arranged specifically for the instrument, and each member rings his or her bells when the notes correlating with the bells appear in the composition. 
Handbells were introduced in America by Margaret Shurcliff in 1902. Shurcliff, from Boston, coordinated the Beacon Hill Ringers in 1923, and many groups sprang up in the following years in the northwest area of the United States. In 1937, the New England Guild of Hand bell Ringers was organized, and multiple choirs were organized throughout the states during the 1950s and 1960s.
The idea to start one of these rare groups in Newcastle was first conceived by Ruby Mullendore, who dreamed of organizing a handbell choir here, according to Elaine Wilcomb, who’s been a member from the beginning. The group began to raise funds in 2001, asking individuals and businesses to purchase or contribute to the purchasing of a bell in memory of a loved one. The name of the loved one is engraved on the inside of the handle of the bells. 
Cheri O’Hagan, a former Newcastle resident, directed the choir at the beginning, and the group started out practicing in the latter part of 2001 with bell-shaped cutouts before receiving a donation of three octaves – 13 bells in each octave – of bells from the Andy Hansen family in January 2002. 
Member Dorothy Brown broke off from the main choir to direct a smaller group of beginners for a time to be of help to the team. This beginning choir practiced with two octaves, while the larger group practiced with three. There were 16 ringing members initially, 11 for the larger choir and 8 for the smaller one, with some members playing in both groups. 
The choir has performed at several venues, including family reunions, churches and Newcastle Ministerial Association events. The group even had a “paying gig” in Nebraska on one occasion. 
Lynda Russell, current director of the group, said she was first exposed to bells when her children were involved in a church choir in Kansas. She moved back to Newcastle in 2000, where she had graduated from high school. Later, when Mullendore asked the Sundance bell choir to perform at Russell’s church, she said, she fell in love with the beautiful music. When Mullendore was recruiting people to participate in a choir, Russell became part of the first group of ringers. When O’Hagan moved away and the group needed another director, Russell accepted the role in 2004, she said. 
“She had no choice,” Wilcomb said, with a laugh. She said that they voted for a new director, and they chose Russell, who was the most musical member of the group.
Some members had their first encounter with the elegant instruments years ago. For example, Brown first heard of English handbells when she was 25 years old when, as part of the U.S. Army in World War II, she was stationed in England, where handbell choirs were born.
The bells were not originally tuned to create music or generate specific note sounds. Robert and William Cor, who lived in Aldbourne, Wiltshire, England, first started tuning bells between the years 1696 and 1724. These bells were first used by change-ringers to practice on. 
“I was so intrigued,” Brown said. The instruments fascinated her, Brown said, especially because she was a kid from Wyoming. She rang with a church choir located near her base when she could, and the choir played in church some Sundays. 
“It’s a wonderful experience,” said Brown. 
Barb Hansen began playing the bells around 2002, and she started out in the small choir directed by Brown. When the small choir disbanded, she moved up to the larger one as a fill-in for a few months, before she secured her own position, which allowed her to always play. Hansen is still a member of the choir, and she still plays the same bells. 
“The music is beautiful,” Hansen said. The choice to become a participant in the group is a commitment, she said, and she loves it. She also said that bell ringing is a great way to offer something to a community like Newcastle that greatly enjoys the entertainment. 
A youth handbell choir was also started in 2011. Directed by Russell, the community’s younger members have experienced the joys of bell ringing. The youth choir has performed at ministerial association events, the senior citizen center during the residents’ lunchtime, at Newcastle’s homeschool group talent shows and other venues. 
“Lynda (Russell) has done the best job,” said Brown, adding that Russell is an amazing musician who has done a fantastic job directing the group.   
“I think it (bell choir) promotes the love of music,” Russell said. It teaches people who haven’t had instrument lessons to learn how to read music, she said. Wilcomb also said that teamwork is a must because everyone has to do their part to create the music. 
Although individual ringers have come and gone, Russell said, she has taken great pleasure in directing the choirs over the years.