Enjoy the traditional sounds of Christmas handbells at Hudsonville Library! Michigan handbell duo Larry and Carla will be back for the sixth year with a program of handbell duets!

Larry and Carla are West Michigan’s smallest handbell choir. They started playing handbells when Carla lived in England and Larry lived in California. Their shared love of handbells led to a chance meeting online! Larry and Carla spent nearly three years in a long-distance relationship, and eventually they were able to go through the US visa process before getting married in California in 2012. They moved from California to Holland, Michigan in the summer of 2016.

This will be Larry and Carla’s sixth time at this popular Hudsonville Library holiday event. They’ll demonstrate the art of playing handbells using the traditional “4 in hand” technique, where they each hold four bells. Their program will include some well-known carols, as well as some less-familiar holiday tunes from around the world. You’ll also hear music played on a set of of handchimes, and perhaps even have a chance to try playing them! There will be plenty of opportunity to ask all your burning questions about handbells, and coffee and snacks will be provided.

Please join us as we celebrate Christmas in the traditional way with handbells at Hudsonville Library. We look forward to welcoming you to this popular annual event, presented by the Friends of the Gary Byker Memorial Library.