Guest Writer- Will Prahl
This past weekend, the renowned Gustavus Handbells ensembles, Christ Chapel Ringers, Gustavus Bronze and Gustavus Carillon, of which I am a part of, traveled all the way to Gaylord, MN for a performance at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The congregation welcomed all three handbell groups into their community lead by Pastor Scott Richards, famous for his love of handbell music. These church run-outs are a great way for Gustavus to bring our community into the towns and congregations around us. Community connection opportunities like this are so valuable to students and those they visit alike. One of the things that ties Gustavus to this congregation is Grandma Ruby, who bakes homemade treats for the campus each month and delivers them via Richards to the Chaplain’s office. These treats can be found outside the Chaplain’s office in Old Main whenever the sign is displayed outside. I personally enjoy her lemon drop cookies, and she makes a mean 7 layer bar.
Grace LaTourelle, handbell lover, and the Editor and Chief of this fine paper, was invited to give a sermon during the service and joined handbells in Gaylord, Minnesota last weekend. LaTourelle had nothing but good things to say about the handbell performances.
“It was very engaging and exciting, I especially thought “Colors of the Wind” was a great way to end it,” LaTourelle said.
Handbells played hit songs such as “The Green Blade Riseth”, and “What Wondrous Love is This”, but also included some lesser-known pieces such as “Colors of the Wind” and “Go the Distance.” My favorite to play is the famous and very impressive “Modal Fanfare.” A fantastic piece to play and listen to.
Being able to play in different locations with the people I love playing with is really wonderful. One of the people I play with, Sophomore Liv White, who plays F5 and G5, was kind enough to talk to me about why she loves being in Carillon.
“What I loved most was seeing the joy on peoples faces. I like making people happy with music and it’s always a fun time to hang out with the handbell people, and I love Chad Winterfeldt,” White explained.
Dr. Chad Winterfeldt is our director, who got us to Gaylord and back without losing a single Ringer. It’s always a fun rehearsal with him. And even though rehearsals fall late on Monday night for both Bronze and Carillon, I have never enjoyed being in an ensemble more.
Handbells are for everyone. As someone who had never picked up a bell before last semester, I have learned so much but also had so much fun doing it that I can truly say everyone should consider joining a handbell group here on campus. If you want to get a taste of the joy of Handbell music, consider coming to our concert on April 19th at 3:30 p.m in Christ Chapel. It features all three handbell ensembles and the Gustavus Philharmonic Orchestra.