Back Bay Ringers Gift Instruments To Danvers School

DANVERS, MA – The Back Bay Ringers, Boston’s premiere handbell ensemble, are scheduled to present instruments to the Willis E. Thorpe Elementary School in Danvers.

The Ringers are preparing for the 11th Annual Boston Handbell Festival, featuring performances by five New England handbell ensembles. Griff Gall, Artistic Director of the Back Bay Ringers, will also lead two pieces featuring all five groups playing simultaneously. The concert will be held at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, at Old South Church, 645 Boylston Street in Boston. Admission is free; seats may be reserved online at www.backbayringers.org. Walk-ins are welcome.

The Back Bay Ringers will be presenting one set of Malmark Choirchimes to the Willis E. Thorpe Elementary School. The application by music teacher Michael Amaral was selected from a strong pool of applicants to the program.

"This contribution will transform the instruction delivered in our music room and allow for deep and musically meaningful learning experiences for the children of Danvers," said Amaral. "Through collaborative creation and student-lead discovery, these fine instruments will help the next generation of students connect concepts, form impactful musical memories, and explore the numerous facets of music learning."

This is the eleventh set of choirchimes the Back Bay Ringers have donated to schools in the Greater Boston area. A freewill donation will be taken that evening to support the continued donation of choirchimes to local schools.

This event is supported in part through a grant of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and includes an Open Rehearsal to see Back Bay Ringers prepare for their concerts on Monday, May 15, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at First Church, 66 Marlborough St., in Boston.

This event is endorsed by Handbell Musicians of America, dedicated to uniting people through the musical art of handbell and handchime ringing www.handbellmusicians.org.

The Back Bay Ringers will also play a set of concerts in early June in Boston and Melrose, MA. For more information, please visit www.backbayringers.org.

Image via Boston Public Library