Handbell choir to perform in Grinnell

The St. Olaf Handbell Choir, from St. Olaf College, will perform at Grinnell United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1 as part of its Winter Wonder Tour.

Admission is free but a freewill offering will be taken.

The widely-varied program features original compositions, arrangements and everything from hymns to Duke Ellington, according to a press release about the concert.

A highlight in Grinnell will be a piece featuring student Joel Dressler on bell tree. Joel grew up in the handbell program at Grinnell United Methodist Church.

Other compositions combine bells with flute, piano and voice.

Monique Shore, bell choir director at Grinnell UMC, has been a bell ringer for over 40 years.

The St. Olaf Handbell Choir was founded in 1983 and has grown to include four handbell ensembles, the press release says. The choir that will perform in Grinnell is the premier ensemble of the handbell program at St. Olaf College.

The ensemble is an auditioned group that meets twice a week. On campus it performs for daily chapel and Sunday church services, student recitals and an annual spring concert featuring all the handbell choirs.

Sixteen years ago, the group began touring, performing in many cities in Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois. This will be the first time they perform in Grinnell, the press release says.

The Grinnell United Methodist Church is located at the corner of Fifth and Park Streets and is fully accessible. Visit the website grinnellumc.org for details on worship and ministry opportunities.