Handbell Choir First Middle School Performers in Boston Festival

The Bedminster Township School Handbell Ensemble was the first middle school group to play at the Boston Handbell Festival in Boston—and they recently returned from the trip to share their talents.

The choir played in the festival May 21.

The 11 Bedminster members of the choir had to prepare two pieces to perform as the featured guest choir, as well as two other works that would be performed by all five groups together at the end of the concert.

Joshua Copeland, director of the Bedminster Handbell Ensemble, also served as guest conductor at the festival.

In addition to performing, the students had the chance to take a handbell skill-building master class from the Boston Back Bay Ringers, the adult handbell ensemble that organizes the festival.

In addition, the ensemble played at the 2013 Spring Choral and Handbell Concert May 29, performing "Festal Dance" by Timothy Waugh, "I Vow to Thee," "My Country" by Jason Crug, "Fantasy in F Minor" by Arnold Sherman and "Mountain Dance" by Kevin McChesney.

The 11 members of the 2012-2013 Handbell Ensemble are Kiersten Campbell, Ciani Crosby, Erin Cunningham, Christopher Das, Ryka Garmani, RJ Goldberg, Emily Kim, John Lynch, Natalie Mino, Alex Rishty and Madison Triano.