published December 9, 2010
in the Stockton Sentinel,
Stockton, Kansas
As I was
pulling news items from area papers for “Kansas Klips,” I clipped a story from The Hays Daily News about a Christmas
concert that took place a week or so ago at the Rush County Nursing Home. It
interested me because it had to do with handbells and chimes, and of course,
Christmas music. The McCracken United Methodist English Handbell Choir and
their Youth Chime Choir participated together with the Rush County Nursing Home
Residents’ Chime Choir for a concert to begin the Christmas season. It was a
particularly meaningful gathering of the choirs as the McCracken choir, under
the direction of Arlene Gilbert, had been “instrumental” in the fundraising
efforts for the purchase of the chimes at the nursing home. After several special
numbers presented by the individual choirs, all three groups combined for the closing
song – “Silent Night” – which was a special treat for one particular family
who, by virtue of combining all ages of ringers in the three choirs, had four
generations of their family ringing together.
Before
moving to Stockton a couple years ago, Bob and I spent a weekend here, and we
attended the United Methodist Church that Sunday morning. Not too long after
getting seated in a pew that morning, I noticed a familiar arrangement of
tables and music stands at the front of the sanctuary. I instantly felt “at
home” as it was confirmed that there was, indeed, a chime choir here at SUMC. I
consider it a privilege and a wonderful blessing to be a part of this choir,
directed by Susan Gartrell.
I have been
blessed to be a part of an English handbell choir at various times since I was
in junior high when I first played with a youth handbell choir in my home
church at Goessel. I was again part of an adult group there several years
later. A three-octave set of English handbells was purchased by the Harmony
United Methodist Church during the time we lived in Mankato, and I was a part
of that group of ringers. When we moved to Galva, we were within driving
distance of our home church once again, and I took the opportunity to bring out
the handbells, which had been locked away for several years for lack of someone
to organize and direct a choir. A friend of mine has taken over the role of
directing now so that the handbells are continuing to make beautiful music.
A week ago,
the Stockton United Methodist Church presented a traditional “Hanging of the
Greens” service, and the Hands of Harmony “chimed in” with two special songs in
the program. The program was filled with many other special numbers. It was a
wonderful program and well attended; I’m sorry if you missed it. December 19,
Hands of Harmony plans to ring during the morning worship service at SUMC, and
the 20th, we’re “taking the show on the road” to Solomon Valley Manor for a
Christmas program there.
One thing
is certain: music has no age limit. As
the director of the McCracken handbell choir said, “Music is ageless. It’s a
universal language. Without music, life would be pretty dull.” A handbell or
chime choir must have enough people to play the instruments, requiring a strong
commitment from individual participants. Unlike a vocal choir which can miss a
person or two and still perform, one person missing from a chime choir means a
“hole” in the music. With our busy schedules, it is sometimes difficult to have
enough ringers, but we are fortunate here to have dedicated members who do what
they can to be there to contribute their part.
This
Christmas season, make it a point to set aside your to-do list and bring your
busyness to a halt long enough to enjoy some music somewhere – anywhere. You
will be blessed, and your Christmas experience will be much more meaningful.
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