Bell Festival, May 20, 2017, 4 PM at St. John's Summit

On Saturday, May 20th, 2017, at 4 PM, a free concert will be presented by over 40 musicians as the exciting conclusion to a second Bell Festival hosted by St. John’s Lutheran Church in Summit, NJ. The musicians will have gathered earlier in the day to meet one another and rehearse five pieces for combined bell choirs directed by the participating choirs’ conductors. Each choir will also present an individual solo. In addition, Jan Schopfer, solo ringer at The Kingsway Church, will present a solo bell piece accompanied on piano. The ringers will use over 300 handbells and chimes, and be joined by 4 instrumentalists—flutist, clarinetist, trombonist, and pianist/organist. Bell choirs participating in this year’s festival include the King of King Ringers from King of Kings Lutheran Church in Mountain Lakes, NJ, directed by Linda Clark, the Walsh Grazio Bell Choir from the Presbyterian Church in Morris Plains, NJ, directed by Carl Loutzenheiser, the Wesley Ringers from the United Methodist Church in Chatham, NJ, directed by Peter Hill, and the Lutherringers from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Summit directed by Donna Garzinsky.

The festival’s massed-rung pieces include “Processional Alleluia” by C. Harry Causey, “Festive Fanfare” by Arnold Sherman, “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” by Kathleen Tomerson and arranged by Cathy Moklebust, and “Sanna, Sannanina,” an arrangement by Sandra Eithun of a traditional South African song. In addition, all will be invited to sing the offering hymn, “When in Our Music God Is Glorified” accompanied by handbells, trombone, clarinet, and organ.

St. John’s Lutheran Church is located at 587 Springfield Ave. in Summit, NJ. All are welcome to attend the festival concert at 4 PM. Car-pooling is encouraged. A free-will offering will be received to help cover the costs of the festival. For more information, call 908 273-3846 x2512.