ing Pittsburgh is an auditioned community of musicians
skilled in the art of handbell ringing. The unique
ensemble takes a musical art form found mainly
in church and worship settings and translates it to a
professional concert setting. The group’s seasoned ringers
educate and entertain audiences across southwestern
Pennsylvania, and seek to advance the knowledge
and awareness of the art of handbell ringing.
“Ring Pittsburgh formed in the summer of 2016 around the
Rossetti dining room table,” recalls Jim Rossetti, Music and Artistic
Director of the group. “We formed from a church handbell choir that
was no longer able to play because of a change in church personnel.
As a church group we were very tight and didn’t like the prospect of
not staying together to ring as an ensemble. Our only option seemed
to be starting a community handbell choir.”
When Tom Taylor, Director of Music at St. Paul’s United
Methodist Church in Allison Park, learned of the group’s fate, he
generously offered the use of the church’s bells and other equipment
along with rehearsal space at St. Paul’s. The group says they will be
eternally grateful for the generosity.
Ring Pittsburgh is led by officers and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization. While Rossetti is the music and artistic director, most
operational decisions are made by the Board of Directors and Officers
and carried out by the members. All members serve on at least
one committee, handling things like publicity, funds, equipment,
transportation for concerts, music library, concert scheduling, social
media management and more.
While there is no age requirement, to be a member of Ring
Pittsburgh one must have some handbell experience as a ringer.
Open auditions take place every other August, and the most
recent ones were this past August. Candidates receive a copy of the
group’s handbook and one musical selection to prepare at three bell
positions of their choosing. Auditions are done in a group setting
with the entire group to keep the audition as informal as possible.
All candidates will then have a discussion with the board officers to
answer any questions and understand expectations.
“In addition to regular auditions, we are currently open to any new
individuals who would like to ring with us,” says Rossetti. “A more
lengthy ‘audition process’ of several rehearsals will give new folks a
chance to ring with us to learn if their ringing style and experience
will enable them to successfully execute the level of
music and musicianship we strive to achieve. We do
not attempt the most difficult music available in the
handbell world, but we strive for a very high level of
musicality to entertain and educate our audiences.”
Ring Pittsburgh is currently ringing with 10 members from all
over Pittsburgh’s suburbs and communities including various areas
of the North Hills, Economy Borough, Cranberry, West View,
Richland Township and more.
The bell choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. at
St. Paul’s. The group’s season begins in September and runs through
the first week or so of June each year.
“Handbell ringing is a unique musical art form in that the
absence of just one member drastically affects the musical
outcome,” notes Rossetti. “In other musical ensembles, most people
are a member of a section—remove one person and the section
and ensemble can still successfully perform. That’s not the case in
handbells. Everyone in the group is responsible for two notes: one
for each hand. If one person is missing then their notes simply don’t
get played. There is usually not time to play a missing person’s notes
while maintaining musical integrity. When this is explained to an
audience, some will hopefully take this concept to heart, realizing
that everyone is important to the function of a community.”
As a musical ensemble, Ring Pittsburgh provides opportunities
for unique and affordable entertainment. In addition to holding its
own concerts, the group has provided entertainment for several
area nursing homes and retirement centers; at Heinz Chapel; the
St. James Concert series in Sewickley; and has collaborated with
the Beaver Valley Choral Society for a concert. Ring Pittsburgh’s
performances at the Benedum Center and Heinz Hall have
introduced the world of handbells to the most sophisticated
musical audiences in western Pennsylvania.
“Because the vast majority of handbell groups are closely
affiliated with a church and play almost exclusively for worship
services, their repertoire is restricted to sacred music,” says Rossetti.
“As a community handbell group, we are able to perform both
secular and sacred musical arrangements in a relaxed atmosphere.
Our Mission Statement requires us to musically inspire, educate
and entertain our audiences through the art of handbell ringing. In
so doing we must challenge ourselves to reach a higher standard of
musical excellence and accomplishment.”
For more information about Ring Pittsburgh or to schedule a
concert, visit ringpittsburgh.org. The group can also be contacted
via email at [email protected]. Information about becoming
a member of Ring Pittsburgh is also available on the website. n
2017 Ring Pittsburgh Ensemble
Kneeling (L to R): Jill Campbell, Mary Anne Kilburg, Carol
Soohy, Regina Kettering, Susan Helfrich, Lisa Swift
Standing (L to R): Yumi Fisher, Jim Rossetti, Debbie Bel-
schner, Mary Rita Rossetti, Caleb Onstead, Cindy Potter,
Kathy Ennis, Debbie Fabio, Lindsay Ries.
Not pictured – New ringers for 2018-2019:
Susan Michel, Donis Petnuch.
CRANBERRY
❘
WINTER 2018
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