Ring the bells – Christmas is here

From the highest “ping” to the deepest and heaviest “bong” the polished bronze bells of the University of Alberta Education Handbell Ringers have a visual appeal like no other.

‘Tis the holiday season and the internationally acclaimed ringers swing into action with the Greenwood Singers for a dazzling concert in The Many Moods of Christmas on Monday, Dec. 7 at Edmonton’s First Presbyterian Church.

Conducted by Robert de Frece, this perfect pairing performs motets from Renaissance Europe to sparkling arrangements of much loved Christmas carols and favourite holiday pop songs.

Pianist Helen Stuart, organist Marnie Giesbrecht, bassist Jeff Johnson and jazz drummer Dan Skakun will provide accompaniment.

A great deal of enthusiasm and hard work went into rehearsals for both the 47-member choir and the smaller group of ringers. Ringing since 1988, they started with a basic set of bells that now numbers 75 handbells and 56 chimes.

“It’s the same structure but different songs. If it ain’t broke, why fix it?” asks de Frece.

The concert opens with a Linda McKechnie arrangement of Angels from the Realms of Glory with Marche from the Nutcracker Suite performed by ringers and organ.

“She takes the Christmas carol and overlaps it with the classic Nutcracker. It’s a conversation and it’s fun to do.”

But the real attention grabber is the program’s second song Carol to the King, an arrangement from Mack Wilberg, resident composer for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

“We’re using snare drum, bells, choir. It’s going to be a big fanfare, a grand opening. It’s very well arranged. It builds and builds and builds. It starts softly and grows to a great climactic ending.”

As a way of re-introducing Renaissance motets, music sung in several parts, de Frece has programmed Hans Leo Hassler’s Canita Tuba, the Thomás da Vittoria’s serene Ave Maria and Cornelius Freundt’s lovely lilting Geboren is und er heilige Christ.

The handbell ringers expand the audience’s interest with two sets of traditional religious carols that will add depth, colour and fast-flying activity to the repertoire.

The concert closes with a set of pop songs from celebrated composers such as Irving Berlin (White Christmas), Johnny Marks (Rockin’ Round the Christmas Tree) and Jule Styne (Let It Snow).

“They were all penned in a small period of history between 1934 and 1958. It was after the war and it was time of new hope. It’s not a large body, but we know them all and are touched by them.”

However, de Frece is keeping the ending under wraps.

“There is something for everyone – Renaissance literature, traditional carols, bells, voices and favourite pop songs. Every aspect is covered. That’s why we call it The Many Moods of Christmas.”