Bells Will Be Ringing

Bells can be holy — those atop church towers come to mind — and they can be lowly, such as those dingers that sit on the counters of so many shops. The ringing of these types of bells isn't unpleasant, but it's definitely familiar. Hand bells are different. For one thing you don't hear them all that often, plus the dings and dongs of hand bells have a more cohesive purpose: to make music. To hear some beautiful bell-rung songs, check out the Westminster Concert Bell Choir's performance at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (4431 Lindell Boulevard). The fourteen players who make up this group, along with their director, Kathleen Ebling-Thorne (pictured), know their way around eight octaves of bells — some of which weigh eleven pounds! — and they're certain to have your ears ringing, beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets to this installment of the Saint Louis Cathedral Concert series cost $10 to $15, and you can make a purchase at www.cathedralconcerts.org.
Mon., June 1, 2009