November 18, 2022

Advent Handbell Concert in Kalamazoo

December 1 at 12:00 pm – 12:50 pm EST

Holland-based handbell duo Larry and Carla will be performing an Advent Handbell Concert at First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo. This duet performance will feature traditional Advent music and perhaps just a few Christmas carols too. Each arrangement uses just 8 handbells! Handbell music is a wonderful way to prepare for the coming season of joy and celebration.

Larry and Carla are a married couple, brought together by their passion for handbells. They’ve been performing handbell duets together since 2012, and aim to demonstrate that handbells are not only beautiful to listen to, but graceful and interesting to watch. For this Advent handbell concert, Larry and Carla will play Malmark handbells and handchimes, manufactured in Pennsylvania.

If you’d like to book Larry and Carla for a performance, please get in touch. Handbell music is a wonderful addition to a worship service, community event, winter wedding or holiday performance. A handbell duo takes up less space than a traditional full-size handbell choir, making such a group ideal for venues where space is limited. And handbells aren’t just for Christmas! If you miss this Advent handbell concert, remember that Larry and Carla are available to play for performances year-round. Let us know the type of event you’re planning, and let’s talk more!

Free

First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo

212 S Park St W
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007 United States + Google Map

View Venue Website

December 7, 2021

Handbell Duets at a Holiday Party in Kalamazoo (Private Event)

December 11 at 6:00 pm

Handbell duo Larry and Carla will be playing handbell duets to welcome guests to this company holiday party in Kalamazoo. They will play an hour of background music, followed by a 30-minute focused performance for party guests. Larry and Carla will play a variety of Christmas carols from around the world, and demonstrate the techniques they use to play this unusual instrument. There will even be an opportunity for audience members to play Jingle Bells on handchimes! Who will be brave enough to volunteer? We’ll find out!

This holiday party in Kalamazoo is a private event.

Having a holiday party in Kalamazoo? Would you like to book a handbell performance for your Christmas or holiday event?

Handbell music can add a touch of magic to any holiday party. Larry and Carla are available to welcome your guests with the traditional sound of Christmas bells. Handbells can be an unusual alternative to carolers, and a handbell duo is ideal for private parties or events with a limited amount of space. Larry and Carla are available to perform at private house parties and corporate events.

If you’re too late to book a handbell ensemble for this year, let’s start planning early for next Christmas! Please contact Larry and Carla to find out more about how to book a handbell performance for your holiday event.

The Foundry Corporate Office and Event Space

600 E Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007 United States + Google Map

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March 11, 2019

Spring Concerts with the Kalamazoo Ringers

We’re excited to have joined the Kalamazoo Ringers for their spring concert season. Concerts with the Kalamazoo Ringers are always exciting!

The Kalamazoo Ringers (KR) is one of the oldest continuously-operating community choirs in the country. Janet Van Valey founded the group in 1981, and Martha Matthews recently took over as director. We first connected with Martha in 2015, when we travelled to Pennsylvania to perform with Philadelphia Bronze. We were delighted when she invited us to be part of the Kalamazoo Ringers for the spring 2019 season!

As we usually play duets, it’s an exciting adventure to be performing as part of a bigger group. In particular, Larry’s happy to have the opportunity to get back to playing those aluminum bass bells again!

Concerts with the Kalamazoo Ringers - bass handbells

The first concert of the spring season

We enjoyed the first concert of the spring season on Sunday. This took place at First Congregational Church of Battle Creek, Michigan. The Kalamazoo Ringers performed as part of the Sunday Afternoon Live concert series.

The theme of the concert was The Versatility of Handbells, and the varied program included Cathy Moklebust’s beautiful arrangement of Greensleeves, Arnold Sherman’s Misty, a lively In the Mood arranged by Hart Morris, and the cherry blossom-inspired Moon Over the Ruined Castle arranged by Kazuko Okamoto.

We appreciated the considerable talents of Gary Matthews, who played organ and trumpet, and Rose Wiersma, who played the clarinet. Rose is a dear friend of ours who directs the Zeeland Community Band. We’ve been taking a break from collaborating with the band while Larry’s been recovering from surgery, but we’re hoping to get back to performing with them soon!

The next concert is in Holland!

If you missed Sunday’s concert, there are still several more opportunities to see the Kalamazoo Ringers this season. The next concert is on Sunday, March 24th at 5:00pm in Holland!

Further information about the Kalamazoo Ringers and their upcoming concerts can be found on their website. We’re looking forward to making more beautiful music with the group in the next couple of months!