The choir uses multiple sets of bells to create the music they perform. This room has sets of small, medium and large bells, as well as hand chimes. (Photograph by Laina Smith)
The Chalice Carillon Handbell Choir of First Christian Church
This holiday season, make sure your family plans include watching a historic handbell choir’s Christmas special. Smith/Staff Story and Photos by Laina Smith /Staff Writer Writer
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andbell choirs have been around for many years. Some date back as far as the 5th century. Handbells were initially made to take over the art of change, ringing from tower bells in the 16th century. Tower bells were so loud they became disruptive to villages; thus, handbells were made to lessen the noise. In Europe, there were groups known as Carillons. These groups were typically men and would ring large bells by pulling a rope. “Handbells have been around for a long time,” Former director Marta Sullivan said. “ … They had what they call carillons in churches, and they had choirs. Typically they were men because it was hard to ring the bells. The bells were way up in the belfry, and so they pulled these ropes. Then because it was kind of cold in the tower, they developed smaller bells that were pitched the same, and they could go into the pubs and ring their handbells in the pub where it was kind of warm, and they could enjoy a brew or something.” English handbells, the most common handbells used in America, are suspected of being introduced in the 1830s by the Peake Family Ringers and P.T. Barnum in the 1840s. Not long after this, handbell choirs began to show up all over the U.S., including churches.
ensembles to put on shows. “We play seasonally,” Orr said. “Just general church year, but then special programs for Advent and Easter, you know that type of thing.” The choir also travels and performs at festivals for handbell choirs. For example, the Renaissance Ringers, the church’s advanced handbell group, goes to the Tulsa Invitational Festival in the spring to ring with 15 other choirs. The Chalice Carillon Handbell Choir also plays a couple of different styles of music. “ … Just your standard Christian,” said Sullivan. “But we do play secular as well, but we play it all on handbells rather than an organ, piano or other instrument.” Every year the choir performs a show at Christmas for the public to view. This year, the show will be held on Dec. 12 at the First Christian
see BELLS Continued on page 15
The Chalice Carillon Handbell Choir of First Christian Church in Ponca City was founded in 1983, one of the first handbell choirs in Ponca City. When the choir first started, it was an all-women’s choir. They rang a set of three octave Schulmerich handbells. As of 2021, the handbell choir has had five directors. The handbell choir is now directed by Andrew Orr, who leads the Ponca City High School band. Before him, it was directed by Marta Sullivan, who was also a ringer at one time. “ … I know I started ringing in 1976,” Sullivan said. When Sullivan joined the choir, they were a four-octave group. Sullivan became the choir director in 1992 and, in May of 2021, handed the reins to Orr. The handbell choir performs in the Church at services once a month. The choir also performs monthly, as well as holding benefit concerts occasionally when asked. They have also partnered with other
Terry Heyer is standing next to a new set of handbells. In 2003, her husband, Reverend Chuck Heyer’s memorial, purchased this set of bells. (Photograph courtesy of First Christian Church)
December 2021
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