Handbell Ringers perform again on May 16 & 18

The Brasstown Ringers will be performing at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16 at All Saints Lutheran Church in Blairsville, and at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 18 at Copperhill Methodist Church in Copperhill, Tenn. All are welcome to attend.

Founded in 1992 by Pat and Henry Meinecke, the Brasstown Ringers have grown from a small group of seven ringers, to a fourteen member ensemble playing six octaves of Schulmerich English hand bells interwoven with six octaves of Malmark choir chimes. Each player handles at least four bells or chimes, while some individuals may play as many as eight or more during the course of a piece. Part of the enjoyment of a Brasstown Ringers' concert comes in watching the players' choreography as they rapidly shift to different combinations of bells and chimes.

North Carolina members of the Brasstown Ringers are Elaine Bagley, Ida Mae Holcomb, Joan Marble, Mary Simmonds and Robin Stevenson of Murphy; Steve Holcomb of Marble; Henry Meinecke of Brasstown. The Georgia contingent includes Lori Brunner, Bruce and Scot Brunner of Morganton; Liza Lawrence of Blue Ridge; Glenda Wattenbarger of Epworth and Travis Vaughn of Atlanta. Pat Meinecke of Brasstown directs the choir.