Bells in Paris

Posted on May 21, 2009
Filed Under Concerts, Events | Leave a Comment

Repost from Handbell-l

What a week for handbells at the American Church in Paris! Sunday morning our Bronze Ringers did a great job for worship. Sunday evening the Classical Bells from Michigan wowed a packed sanctuary with their “ringing in color”.

Dynamite. This coming Sunday the Alleluia Ringers from Concordia University under John Behnke’s direction will play for worship and give a full evening concert. In the audience will be 50 French school children from the poorer northern Parisian suburbs who are part of an amazing handchime program (take a look http://www.canalgarges.com/nouveau/portail/chimep1.htm). A French ringer in my bronze group is responsible for this program, a story in itself. The city hall there has donated the use of a tour bus to bring them into Paris to visit the Eiffel Tower and come to the concert. They will arrive early at the church to see and hear our new 6th & 7th octave of chimes which will be a first for them. There were 200 children from the program who wanted to come, from which only 50 could be chosen! You have to understand the non-priority music has in French schools to appreciate this amazing accomplishment.

Fred Gramann (who loves to have handbell choirs come visit in Paris!) (And stay tuned for the 2010 Summer European Handbell Festival at the American Church in Paris! It’s going to kick brass.)

Comments