Handbells

Welcome to the English Handbell Program at Metropolitan

This distinctive music ministry at Metropolitan has been in existence for over 50 years. We are fortunate to have one five octave set of handbells and chimes as well as an additional four octave set of both handbells and choir chimes. Handbell ringing is fun and quite challenging to do well. We invite you to become a member of one of our dynamic handbell ensembles.

For more information about Metropolitan's Handbell program contact
Richard Eccles at (313) 875-7407 Ex. 201.

A SHORT HISTORY OF METROPOLITAN'S

ENGLISH HANDBELL PROGRAM

The English handbell program of Metropolitan was founded and directed in the early 1960's by Barbara Kerrigan as a result of the donation of a three octave set of bells by Mae Atkinson, a member of the congregation. The first choir was made up of high school youth and flourished for almost nine years. Mrs. Kerrigan moved out of state and a search for a new director was implemented.

In September of 1970 Richard Eccles (Link to Mr. Eccles' biography) was hired to direct the choir of eleven youth. It soon became apparent that more youth wanted to ring bells and a second youth choir was organized, mostly Jr. High School age youth who did not have any experience in handbell ringing. This became a feeder group for the more advanced high school ensemble. The choirs were named Wesley and Asbury, respectively. Two years later, due to inquiries about forming an adult bell choir, it was established and later became known as the Epworth Bells. At present there is the Epworth Handbell choir and one Youth bell choir and also a handbell quintet. The handbell program has grown from the three octave set of bells, to, two four octave sets of handbells and choir chimes, plus, a fifth octave set of bell and chimes. All bell ensembles are under the directorship of Richard Eccles. We welcome all to join one of our handbell choirs.

EPWORTH BELLS

This choir meets for practice on Wednesday evenings each week from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. and plays for worship services once each month, September through May, plus, special music for Christmas and Easter. They have also played for weddings, funerals, retirement homes, J P McCarthy's Christmas sing at Hart Plaza, Kelly & Co. TV program, Christmas TV program in Windsor, Christmas programs at the Fox theater, New Center, and Fisher buildings, Channel 4 Church of the Cross Roads and the previous Detroit Council of Churches Good Friday services at the Ren Cen and the former downtown J. L. Hudson Co. store. The choir traveled to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in 1999 and played 9 concerts in various churches on an 11-day trip. The group has also produced a CD of sacred and Christmas handbell music.

HANDBELL QUINTET

This is a specialized handbell ensemble made up of ringers from the Epworth Choir. It provides a challenge to the more advanced ringers who ring as many as 10 bells in each handbell selection. The ensemble meets once a week for a 45-minute practice on Wednesdays, 5:45 - 6:30 p.m. They are scheduled to play for worship services approximately once each month and appear on programs along with the Epworth ensemble. They also recorded a selection on the CD.

YOUTH BELLS

Youth Bell ringers are ages 12 - 18 and meet for practice on Sunday mornings from 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. They are scheduled to play for 5 worship services from September through May. Participation includes the special Christmas worship service, the Love feast and the early Easter morning service.

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