Bells of the Lakes
BElls of the Lakes is a professional, non-profit handbell group from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bells of the Lakes was founded in 1996 by Bill Mathis and Su Southwick. They began performing in 1996 and have gone on to become a nationally-recognized handbell organization. In 2000, they attended the International Symposium of English Handbell Ringers in Birmingham, England. Two years later, they were featured at the Pinnacle handbell convention in Orlando, FL. Most recently, they performed the final concert at the National Directors Seminar in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Members of Bells of the Lakes sometimes put together a small-group performance in a group called "Bells of the Pond". It is on a volunteer basis and they play concerts without a director.
Recordings
Bells of the Lakes have recorded and published a total of 3 CDs. The first, recorded in 2000 was entitled "Bells of the Lakes" and featured a wide variety of handbell music. In 2002, they recorded a Christmas album called "Ring the Bells of Christmas". Their most recent recording "Bells of the Lakes Celebrates 10 Years", released in 2006, includes one of the few songs written for accordion and handbells, "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee".
Performances
Each year Bells of the Lakes puts on two seminars in the Twin Cities area - Director's Seminar and BellFest!. Both help pay for Bells of the Lakes' costs and allow others in the community to improve their handbell skills.
See also
- Handbells
- Bells of the Lakes (album)
- Ring the Bells of Christmas
- Bells of the Lakes Celebrates 10 Years