Repeat performance: Broad Street United Methodist's bell choir will make its second appearance at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston later this month.
The prestigious arts festival, which complements Charleston's Spoleto Festival, focuses on artists from the Southeast. The Chancel Bell Ringers were selected based on pictures and an audition CD.
"We are truly honored," said Jerry L. Jones, Broad Street UMC director of music. The bell choir also played at Piccolo Spoleto in 2005.
For those who'd like to hear the concert but don't have plans to be in Charleston on May 24, the bell ringers will perform the show -- its dress rehearsal -- the week before in Statesville.
The Statesville concert will be at 6 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary of Broad Street UMC in Statesville. It is free and open to the public.
The bell ringers are one of 21 groups performing in the festival of churches division of Piccolo Spoleto, Jones said. Their concert will be at 11 a.m. May 24 at Church of the Holy Communion, 218 Ashley Ave. in Charleston.
A musical treat: The Chancel Bell Ringers employ a variety of bell playing techniques in their music.
They clomp the bells on a padded table, swing them, shake them and ring them.
The choir also has learned to play hand chimes, which provide "a totally different sound," Jones said. The 16 choir members combined play five octaves of hand chimes and 6.5 octaves of hand bells.
"We use the hand chimes a lot," Jones said. "They just add another dimension to the sound of the group, and they're quite lovely."
Flautists Wanda McConnell and Elaine Munday accompany the bell ringers on several songs, including an arrangement of "Amazing Grace." Five 'Til Five brass quintet and organist Jane Kirby Campbell also will play with the bell ringers at Piccolo Spoleto.
Practice and dedication: The Chancel Bell Ringers have doubled since the group was founded, growing from eight players to 16, Jones said.
They practice about 1 1/2 hours each week and take part in at least one worship service a month at Broad Street United Methodist. They also tour and play at churches all over North Carolina and the East Coast.
Jones described the choir as "extremely dedicated." If one person misses a practice or a performance, the absence is noticeable.
"One person is assigned four to six bells, so when their note appears on the page, if they're not there, you've got a hole in the music," he said.
Jones said they are looking forward to spending the weekend in Charleston and taking in as many concerts, church services, plays and as much good food as they can.
"We think it's a true honor to have been asked to have been selected again," Jones said. "Spoleto is a wonderful charming experience."
-- Marty Minchin
-- To nominate a person or house of worship for Faith Focus, send your nomination to lakenorman@charlotteobserver.com.
Broad Street United Methodist Church
Chancel Bell Ringers at Piccolo Spoleto
Broad Street United Methodist Church
315 West Broad St., Statesville, N.C.
704-873-3279
