Brasstown Ringers Spring Concert Announcement Franklin Concert is April 28th

BRASSTOWN RINGERS – THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT!
POP MUSIC ON HANDBELLS

Author: Theresa Ramsey, Brasstown Ringers

The Brasstown Ringers community handbell ensemble will kick off their spring concert series – That’s Entertainment – on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 7 pm at New Life Church in Hayesville, NC. Additional concerts will be held on Sunday, April 28th at 5 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Franklin, NC and Sunday, May 5 at 5 pm at St Luke’s Episcopal in Blue Ridge, GA. Although admission to all concerts is FREE, monetary donations are gratefully accepted. These donations help pay for the bells, music, and repairs.

This year’s program consists of a variety of pieces that will feature movie-themed pop music arranged for handbells. Some of the selections include: The Best of John Williams with “Theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, the “Olympic Fanfare and Theme”, “Imperial March”, “Cantina Band” and the “Star Wars” theme; Pirates of the Caribbean; Mamma Mia; Disney tunes the Lion Sleeps Tonight and Beauty and the Beast and more! The audience will be invited to sing along with the bells on familiar favorites Over the Rainbow and On the Road Again. Performances by a twelve-bell ensemble and bell tree solo will help demonstrate how smaller groups can also be an effective musical alternative to a larger bell choir.

Six octaves of Schulmerich bells, seven octaves of Malmark chimes and assorted percussion instruments played by this group of seventeen advanced ringers helps showcase the beauty and depth of handbell music while spotlighting various ringing techniques. Brasstown Ringers was formed in September 1992 and today, the number of bells and ringers has grown as members travel from across Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina to ring together. The choir continues to meet weekly for practice at Oak Forest Methodist Church in Hayesville under the direction of Linda Sterrett. Each year, Brasstown Ringers perform a spring and winter concert series at various locations and upon request, small group ensembles are available to participate in worship services, club meetings, etc.

For details about upcoming handbell workshops or concerts, contact director Linda Sterrett at lkmsterrett@gmail.com.

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Concerts of Caring! Featuring Brasstown Ringers, Mountain Voices Chorus and Pinnacle Brass

Hayesville, NC – The Brasstown Ringers, a 16-member community handbell ensemble, will be joined this season by the voices of the 50 member Mountain Voices Chorus and the 5 members of Pinnacle Brass for two concerts this spring. On Saturday, April 29, all three groups will perform at the First United Methodist Church’s Family Life Center in Clayton, GA at 7pm. This performance will be repeated on Sunday, April 30 in the sanctuary of First United Methodist in Franklin, NC at 6pm. 

The concerts entitled “Concert of Caring”, are both benefit concerts with all donations going to F.A.I.T.H. (Fight Abuse In The Home) in Clayton and CareNet in Franklin. All three groups have been so graciously supported throughout the years that they are using these concerts as a way to give back to the community in thanksgiving. Please help them by attending their concerts and donating generously to these very worthy programs.

The concert’s variety of selections will feature three pieces performed jointly by all three groups as well as individual ensemble pieces. Both secular and sacred pieces will be presented by the musicians.

F.A.I.T.H., Inc. (Fight Abuse In The Home) is a non-profit organization that advocates, empowers, prevents, and protects the victims of abuse and violence in Northeast Georgia. They have been providing free and confidential services to the community since 1993, speaking with people each and every day who are experiencing, or are affected by abuse. They help men, women, children and families cope with the impact of violence and abuse in their lives by providing safe resources, information, and much needed support.

The Macon County Care Network, also known as CareNet, is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation, established in 1988, by churches of Macon County, North Carolina. CareNet is located in Franklin, NC. It is a non-denominational ministry which serves as a central location to provide relief for those in crisis. When help from other agencies is either unavailable or insufficient, CareNet provides food and limited financial assistance with other necessities, such as prescriptions, utilities, fuel, and rent on an emergency basis.

For details about the upcoming concerts, please contact Linda Sterrett at lkmsterrett@gmail.com.

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Brasstown Ringers 2022 Holiday Schedule

 We Need a Little Christmas!!!

The Brasstown Ringers community handbell ensemble will kick off their holiday concert season, WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS, with a performance at 7:00 pm on Friday, December 2 at Robbinsville United Methodist Church in Robbinsville, NC. Additional concerts are scheduled as follows:

Saturday, Dec 3, 7:00 pm – Hope Lutheran Church, Ellijay, GA Sunday, Dec 4, 5:00 pm – First United Methodist Church, Copperhill, TN Saturday, Dec 10, 7:00 pm – First United Methodist Church, Franklin, NC Sunday, Dec 11, 5:00 pm - Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church, Young Harris, GA Ringing 5 octaves of Schulmerich bells and 6 octaves of Malmark chimes, these advanced ringers from across GA, NC and TN come together for practice every Thursday evening in Hayesville, NC.

In addition to these scheduled concerts, smaller groups of 12 bell ensembles, quartets and soloists will ring throughout December at various churches along with a performance at John C. Campbell Folk School on Tuesday, December 6. Members include:

(GA) Liza Lawrence, Terry Mayhew, Evie Miller, Tom and Jackie Volk, Glenda Wattenberger; (NC) Danny Ferreira, Steve Holcomb, Aimee Johnson, Theresa Ramsey, Jackie Reed, Anne Rice, Mark and Sharon Schickedantz, Kathy Tant, Linda Sterrett (director); and (TN) Lonney and Brett McDonald.

Brasstown Ringers meet year-round to prepare for spring and winter performances and attend multiple handbell retreats in the region to enhance their skills. The WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS concert series will showcase the beauty and depth of handbell music and spotlight various ringing techniques. The program’s variety of pieces featuring traditional carols and pop favorites is sure to bring holiday cheer!

Although all concerts are FREE, monetary donations will be gladly accepted at the door. For details about upcoming handbell workshops or to schedule a performance, contact director Linda Sterrett after a concert or at lkmsterrett@gmail.com.

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Brasstown Ringers to Perform Christmas Concert Series

#MaconCalendar

The Franklin concert will be on Friday, Dec 10, 7:00 pm – First United Methodist Church, Franklin, NC

It’s Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas!!!

Blairsville, GA – The Brasstown Ringers community handbell ensemble will kick off their holiday concert season, SOUNDS LIKE CHRISTMAS with a performance at 7:00 pm on Friday, December 3 at Oak Forest United Methodist Church in Hayesville, NC.    Additional concerts are scheduled as follows:

Saturday, Dec 4, 7:00 pm – Hope Lutheran Church, Ellijay, GA
Sunday, Dec 5, 5:00 pm – First United Methodist Church, Copperhill, TN
Friday, Dec 10, 7:00 pm – First United Methodist Church, Franklin, NC
Saturday, Dec 11, 7:00 pm – First United Methodist Church, Blue Ridge, GA
Sunday, Dec 12, 5:00 pm - Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church, Young Harris, GA

Brasstown Ringers was initially started in 1992 by Pat Meinecke, who retired as director and in 2019, passed her baton to Linda Sterrett from Franklin, NC. Ringing 5 octaves of Schulmerich bells and 6 octaves of Malmark chimes, these advanced ringers from across GA, NC and TN come together for practice every Thursday evening in Blairsville, GA. This year’s concert series is dedicated to Henry Meinecke, late husband of Pat and former choir member. He shared his love of music and dedication to beautiful handbell music with all he met.

Members include:
(GA) Jason Brunner, Liza Lawrence, Tom and Jackie Volk; (NC) Danny Ferreira, Sheila Gregory, Steve Holcomb, Theresa Ramsey, Jackie Reed, Anne Rice, Sharon Ruffner, Mark Schickedantz, Kathy Tant, Linda Sterrett (director); and (TN) Lonney and Brett McDonald.

In addition to spring and winter performances, the choir has toured Europe, gone on multiple handbell retreats, and performed at the Biltmore House as well as other venues throughout western North Carolina, northeast Georgia and southeast Tennessee. The SOUNDS LIKE CHRISTMAS concert will showcase the beauty and depth of handbell music and spotlight various ringing techniques. The program’s variety of pieces featuring traditional carols, and pop favorites is sure to bring holiday cheer!

Because this is an indoor event, we respectfully request that the CDC guidelines be followed for everyone’s safety, comfort and enjoyment. Also, Pure Water Technology of the Tri-State Area LLC, a distributor for AERUS Electrolux Air Filters, will donate the use of 7 air purifiers at each concert venue. These air purifiers reduce and eliminate bacteria and viruses in the air to add an additional level of air quality.

For details about upcoming handbell workshops or to schedule a performance, contact Linda Sterrett after a concert or at lkmsterrett@gmail.com.  

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