Back Bay Ringers, Boston’s Community Handbell Ensemble, Will Play Carols on Beacon Hill

Posted on December 11, 2008
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(Boston, Mass. December 11, 2008)—The Back Bay Ringers, Boston’s only community-based handbell ensemble, will treat Beacon Hill residents to Christmas carols the evening of Monday, December 22, 2008. 

Since its founding in 2003, Back Bay Ringers has quickly gained a reputation for excellence, regularly performing at such Boston-area landmarks as Symphony Hall, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and the Prudential Center. Back Bay Ringers has also performed in festivities associated with the 2004 Democratic National Convention as well as the Boston Marathon. BBR’s first CD recording, “Merry and Bright: A Celebration of Carols with the Back Bay Ringers,” was released in December 2007 and quickly sold through its first three printings.

BBR rehearses at Boston’s Old South Church, just blocks from where long-time Beacon Hill resident Margaret Shurcliff brought the first set of handbells to the United States from England in the early twentieth century. Mrs. Shurcliff played a prominent role in expanding the popularity of the instrument in this country. Her Beacon Hill Ringers were the first community-based handbell ensemble in America, a tradition Back Bay Ringers is pleased to continue today.  “Beacon Hill holds a very special place in the history of our instrument,” notes BBR’s artistic director Griff Gall, “and we are thrilled to be able to honor this history by offering our music back to our neighbors on Beacon Hill.”

A quartet made up of Back Bay Ringers’ members will stroll through Beacon Hill from approximately 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 22, playing favorite Christmas carols on handbells. Keep your ears open as their festive sounds help ring in the holiday season!

For more information please visit www.backbayringers.org or contact Executive Director, Norah Piehl, at 617-688-5768.

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