{"id":7,"date":"2016-10-19T01:30:49","date_gmt":"2016-10-19T01:30:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/colonialringers.com\/home\/?page_id=5"},"modified":"2025-10-20T11:40:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T11:40:49","slug":"welcome","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/colonialringers.com\/home2\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

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Welcome to the Colonial English Handbell Ringers\u2019 web page. Our group has been delighting Washington audiences since 1991. We ring a set of nearly 80 bells from the White Chapel foundry in England and perform at concerts, festivals, weddings, fairs, and private functions \u2013 anywhere our unique and entertaining form of music is desired. Programs are traditionally 40-60 minutes in length but can be tailored to individual requests. Beautifully costumed in Colonial, Renaissance, or traditional dress, we are a unique visual and auditory experience.<\/p>\n

The Colonial English Handbell Ringers bring peace to your world and joy to your hearts this holiday season as we proudly present our 2025 holiday concert \u201cTidings of Comfort and Joy.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year\u2018s concert will feature several serene, beautiful, nostalgic winter pieces such as \u201cTwas in the Moon of Wintertime\u201d and \u201cWhite Christmas,\u201d fun, festive, original holiday selections \u201cDing Dong Medley\u201d and \u201cAway in a Jingle,\u201d as well as the haunting, stirring \u201cArab Dance\u201d from The Nutcracker Suite. We will also be performing several cherished old and new classics including \u201cSilent Night\u201d and \u201cLet There Be Peace on Earth.\u201d And of course, we hope to hear your joyful voices as we present our traditional sing-along.<\/p>\n

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2025 Schedule<\/h1>\n
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\nSaturday, December 6, 3:00 p.m
\nEastminster Presbyterian Church<\/strong>
\n5601 Randolph St., Bladensburg MD
\nFree show with plenty of space for guests
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\nSaturday, December 6, 7:00 p.m.
\n<\/strong>Emerson House<\/strong>
\n5999 Emerson St., Bladensburg, MD
\nPlease see a ringer for details \u2013 retirement building with very limited space for guests
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\nSunday, December 7, 1:00 p.m.
\nBethany Christian Church <\/strong>
\n7128 Allentown Rd., Camp Springs, MD
\nFree show with plenty of space for guests www.bethanychristianmd.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\nSunday, December 14, 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
\nThe Lyceum
\n201 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA
\n<\/strong>Two shows \u2013 seating is first come first served, so please arrive early.<\/em>
\nwww.alexandriava.gov\/Lyceum<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
\nSunday, December 21, 2:00 p.m.
\n<\/strong>Bowie Center for the Performing Arts<\/strong>
\n15200 Annapolis Rd, Bowie, MD
\nThis show is a fundraiser and food drive. Please bring canned goods and other shelf-stable food items for the\u00a0Bowie food pantry<\/a>. Each attendee, regardless of age, is required by the venue to have a ticket. Ticket sale details will be posted on the venue webpage closer to performance date here:\u00a0bowiecenter.org\/events<\/a>.<\/em>
\nwww.cityofbowie.org<\/em><\/a>
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About<\/h1>\n

\"\"The Colonial Handbell Ringers was directed by Mary A. Parker until her retirement from conducting in 2007. Mary wrote and\/or arranged many of the pieces the group performs today. The group is now co-directed by Nena Manzo, who took the conductor\u2019s baton in 2007, and by Elie Cossa and David Emanuel who handle scheduling, planning and public relations. Many of the original ringers have remained in the group off and on through the years, with one family providing ringers from three generations. The group is volunteer, independent and not for profit.<\/p>\n

The Colonial Ringers are unique in that we are one of the only groups to play from original bell \u201ccharts\u201d instead of standard music notation. This means our music is on large poster board sized sheets that are written to be seen from a distance. We ring a 5-octave \u201clong\u201d set consisting of 79 bells from the world-famous Whitechapel foundry in London, England. These hand-tuned bronze bells provide the best in traditional sound and are also a visual treat. The Whitechapel foundry has a tradition of over 5 centuries of bell-making, casting \u201cBig Ben,\u201d our own Liberty Bell, and the first sets of English handbells.<\/p>\n

Although the bulk of our performances are during December for holiday shows, we have also played year-round at concerts, festivals, weddings, faires, and private functions \u2013 anywhere our unique and entertaining form of music is desired. Programs are traditionally 40-60 minutes in length but can be tailored by request. Beautifully costumed in Colonial, Renaissance or traditional dress, we are a unique visual and auditory experience. Past performance venues include: The Pageant of Peace, Gadsby\u2019s Tavern, The Lyceum, The White House, The Annapolis State House, assisted living homes, churches and country clubs.<\/p>\n

Our small ensemble, \u201cTouch of Clash\u201d also plays for public and private functions. This 4-6 person group plays a variety of musical styles and is great for comic relief (and of course offers more serious performances). The 4 of us had so much fun we started adding performances and usually do a small show as an intermission for the large group during our standard programs. \u201cA Touch of Clash\u201d comes in handy for smaller venues. The large group requires more space both for the equipment and the people. Planning a wedding? Want light background music for a function? We are the easier logistics choice.<\/p>\n

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Media<\/h1>\n
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