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Handbells at Old South Church

Old South Ringers 2006 (photo by George Delianides)
The Old South Ringers
(photo by George Delianides)




Ring Noel
Christmas Concert

We hope you can join the Old South Ringers and help us "Ring Noel" at our 2nd Advent/Christmas handbell concert!
The concert will be the early afternoon of Sunday, December 16, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. in Mary Norton Hall.  You'll hear some favorite
classics for the full choir, and some new pieces for solo and duet handbells, plus a lighthearted offering here and there for the
young at heart!  The concert is free for all and we'll have refreshments following the concert. 
Hope you can join us on this day of special music!


CURIOUS ABOUT HANDBELLS?
Tuesday evenings, beginning September 5th, from 6-7:30 pm. Performances at the 11 am service once a month from September through June. The Old South Ringers are looking for new members to join the church's Handbell Choir—no prior experience required! Anyone in high school or older is encouraged to attend our free “no obligation” rehearsals and give it a try. How do you know you won't love it until you try it? Anyone interested in checking it out should give Interim Director Peter Coulombe a ring at 617/406-8253 or e-mail at <peter.coulombe@verizon.net>.


Sample Performance at Old South, Recorded Live March 11, 2006
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light   (Sondra Tucker)

Handbell ringing at Old South Church dates back to 1929, when the church acquired a set of handbells from Whitechapel Foundary in England.  This was only the third set of handbells imported into the United States and the first to be acquired by a church.

Tuned sets of handbells originated in England as a way for tower ringers to practice their peals away from the cold steeples and in the warmth of a neighborhood pub!  Later, groups of ringers began playing familiar hymn tunes on the bells.  Within the last fifty years, handbell ringing has developed into a professional level art.  Along with a steady growth in the number of church and community groups, the range of music has grown with new arrangements of familiar hymns, secular works, and exciting original compositions aiding in the spiritual life of churches across the country.

Today, the handbell ministry at Old South is a beloved part of the music ministry of Old South.  The Old South Ringers rehearse on a weekly basis and contribute to the Sunday worship service approximately once a month from September through June.  In addition to the full handbell choir, small ensembles occasionally play for special services as well.  The Old South Ringers are a member organization of the
American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR).

Anyone interested in joining the Old South Ringers, or learning more about the handbell ministry at Old South, should contact Peter Coulombe, Interim Handbell Director, through the church office or via e-mail by clicking above.


NEW HANDBELL RINGERS NEEDED! Tuesdays at 6:00 pm.
We are looking for a few
new members to help us ring our handbells for worship about once a month.
All ages are welcome.  Contact Peter Coulombe at 617/288-1363 or
<peter.coulombe@verizon.net>



The Ministry of Music at the Old South Church in Boston

The ministry of music at the Old South Church in Boston seeks to glorify God through creative interpretation of the Church’s musical literature; the use of aesthetic means and vehicles to mediate and present the grace and grandeur of God; and the participation of women and men of Old South and beyond, using their own considerable gifts to celebrate, worship and magnify this God of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The ministry of music at Old South is centered on the Sunday morning service and other church festivals in
which organ, choir, soloists and instrumentalists provide musical and liturgical leadership for the worship of God
and the spiritual edification of God’s people gathered at the Old South Church.  Old South also offers to the community a musical program that reflects our mission, through seasonal vespers concerts, organ recitals
and other musical presentations on Sunday afternoons or weekday evenings.


To go to the Monthly Events OSC Calendar Page
If you have any questions about Old South Church, please click here Old South Church
If you have any questions about the music events or program at OSC, click here Music Program

To return to the OSC Home Page, click below
Old South Church
645 Boylston Street (Copley Square at Dartmouth Street)
"T" Green Line, Copley
All events are free and open to the public. Old South Church is wheelchair accessible.