Williams Handbell Choir

The Williams College Department of Music presents the Handbell Sextet on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. in Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall on the Williams College campus. This free event is open to the public.

Led by Williams College students, the Williams Handbells Sextet offers a varied program that highlights the versatility of the handbell choir. Handbell choirs have developed over three hundred years, a musical specialty that has its own techniques and specialized instruments, just like any other discipline. Hardly limited to either classical musical repertoire or church music, this group presents a concert of contemporary pop tunes like “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid, arranged by Henry Su ’13. Works by Lady Gaga and Enya share the program with a work of Thomas Tallis “If Ye Love Me.” The ensemble of Williams students ringing in this event: Kate Dusenbury ’13, Casey McLellan ’14, Will Speer ’13, Henry Su ’13, Alex Wheelock ’13, and James Wilcox ’13. The arrangements, all prepared by members of the sextet, offer a fresh take on a old way of making music.

The Handbell Choir is a student-led group advised by Artist-in-Residence Bradley Wells. The ensemble rehearses weekly on a five-octave set of Schulmerich handbells. Repertoire consists of arrangements and original compositions, mostly of secular or seasonal holiday music. The choir participates in the annual Service of Lessons and Carols along with the Concert and Chamber Choirs, and performs in Studio Recitals and at various off-campus locations.

Event Program