History of Resurrection Lutheran Church
Handbell choirs and ensembles
Our handbell choir, the Resurrection Ringers, began in
the fall of 2002. Kathryn Gerken recruited ringers and
directed our first choir. The choir members ranged in age
from early teens through late 50’s. The choir rang for
several services during that first year and were always
encouraged by the congregation. Five of us attended the
Puget Sound Handbell Ringers Conference in the spring and
were thrilled by the experience of ringing with several
hundred ringers in a massed choir setting.
In 2003-2004 Jacque Davis directed our Resurrection
Ringers, handbell choirs. Ensemble groups were formed which
began to play with voice choir and the congregation on
selected pieces. We also expanded to include a Juniors
Handbell Choir. The 7 ringers were first through fifth
graders. We hosted our first Sunday Lunch/Concert in spring
2004 to raise money for the Area X Handbell Ringers
Conference. With the generous support of congregation
members and matching funds from Thrivent we sent __ people
to the conference. We rang with 750 people in massed choir
and attended many inspiring classes.
In 2004-2005 Resurrection Ringers had grown into Level
One and Level Two Adult Handbell Choirs , a Junior Handbell
Choir and a Youth Handbell Choir. Jacque Davis and Kathryn
Gerken directed these choirs. Our choirs rang regularly at
services throughout the year. Seven Junior and Youth ringers
attended the first Youth Handbell Ringers Conference in
Shelton in spring. This was a very challenging experience
for our beginning ringers. Fourteen adults attended the
Puget Sound Area Handbell Ringers Conference in June. We
rang as a Coppers group (intermediate level ability) which
was challenging for our choir. It stretched us a great deal.
This year, 2005-2006, Jacque Davis is directing the
Resurrection Ringers Adult Choir and the Juniors Choir. We
are expanding our ensemble groups to give individuals a
chance to work on more difficult music. We are already
planning ahead to the 2006 Area X Handbell Conference. It is
being held in Nampa, Idaho.
History written by Ann Lindeke and Jacque Davis; October 2005 |