High Desert Ringers, a handbell ensemble, is set to captivate audiences with two upcoming concerts titled “Hello Summer!” The performances will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Prescott, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 25, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Prescott Valley. Admission to both concerts is free.

Under the direction of James Klein, former minister of music at American Lutheran Church, this advanced community handbell ensemble’s program will include collaboration with handbell soloist Katie Staudt, cellist Barbara Metz and organist Eileen Klein.<br />

Various ringers from Prescott and the surrounding area comprise the 13-member ensemble performing on 54 handbells and 37 hand chimes. Attendees will observe a diverse range of handbell techniques, including singing bells, mallets, echoing, bending pitch, vibrato, thumb damp, ring touch, martellato, martellato lift, suspended bells and bell tree.

The varied program includes music of the church, newly-composed handbell pieces, as well as many fun secular selections, such as “City of Stars,” (from La La Land), “Love will Keep Us Together,” made famous by Tony Tennille, “Colonel Bogey March,” (from Bridge on the River Kwai) and “Beer Barrel Polka.”

High Desert Ringers had its public debut at Acker Night in December 2019, and once again performed in 2021. Most recently the handbell ringers participated in the Yavapai College Choral Department’s Christmas extravaganza, “Let the Season Begin.”

Information provided by the High Desert Ringers.