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Talented troupe

 

The Plymouth Congregational Church bell choir members are wonderful representatives of the talented young people in Lawrence.

 

J-W Editorials

 

Saturday, June 10, 2006

 

Lawrence will be well represented this month by the Plymouth Ringers bell choir during a two-week tour that will include a performance at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

 

The free concert on the Millennium Stage in the Kennedy Center’s lobby is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday and will be broadcast live on the center’s Web site. The Kennedy Center concert is just one of 12 performances scheduled for the Ringers in several states.

 

Of course, Lawrence residents can hear the bell choir most of the year at the Plymouth Congregational Church, where it is the premiere bell choir. It’s always a treat to hear the choir and witness the dedication of its 24 members — who range in age from 13 to 18 — to the exacting group art of ringing bells. The bell choir now is directed by Bill Kelly, whose mother, Barbara, founded the choir at Plymouth 32 years ago.

 

Congratulations to the Plymouth Ringers. Lawrence is proud to be represented by such an accomplished group of young musicians.

Plymouth bell choir hits high note with U.S. tour

 

By Sarah Benson

 

Thursday, June 8, 2006

 

Ding, dong, ding ...

 

That’s the sound the Plymouth Ringers have echoing in their ears after thrice-daily bell choir practices.

 

The ringers are gearing up for a two-week tour starting Friday that will take them 3,218 miles across the country. They will ring bells in Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and even at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

 

That performance will be broadcast live on the Kennedy Center’s Web site.

 

Ringer Sarah Cigard, 13, said she was a little nervous to perform at such a large and famous venue.

 

“I don’t think there’s much performing you can do without getting a little nervous,” Sarah said.

 

The Plymouth Ringers are the premier bell choir at Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vt. This year there are 24 ringers, all between the ages of 13 and 18. They usually perform on Sundays at the church, but each summer the ringers culminate their season with a tour.

 

On this tour, the ringers will play 12 concerts. Along the way, the group will stop to sightsee in places such as New York City and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

 

Barbara Kelly, who started the Plymouth handbell program 32 years ago, still teaches bells and helps organize the tours.

 

“I’ve been doing it for so long, and it’s still fun,” she said.

 

Over the years, the Plymouth Ringers have played everywhere from tiny churches to grand concert halls. They even rang for the Queen of England once.

 

Bill Kelly, Barbara Kelly’s son and director of the Plymouth Ringers, says he cares more about the performance than who it’s for.

 

“To me, it’s all important. If the queen’s out there, so be it. She’s no more important than somebody that walks in off the street,” he said. “I just want the kids to learn, to be able to share and always do their very best no matter what it is.”