RING PITTSBURGH, SOUTHWESTERN PA’S COMMUNITY HANDBELL CHOIR, BRINGS
A UNIQUE ART FORM TO AREA COMMUNITIES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
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
2017 Ring Pittsburgh Ensemble
Kneeling (L to R): Jill Campbell, Mary Anne Kilburg, Carol Soohy, Regina Kettering, Susan Helfrich,
and Lisa Swift.
Standing (L to R): Yumi Fisher, Jim Rossetti, Debbie Belschner, Mary Rita Rossetti, Caleb Onstead,
Cindy Potter, Kathy Ennis, Debbie Fabio, and Lindsay Ries.
Not pictured: New ringers for 2018-2019: Susan Michel, and Donis Petnuch.
Jim Rossetti, Music and Artistic Director of
Ring Pittsburgh.
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
Yumi Fisher, Ring Pittsburgh President for
2018-2020.
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
SEWICKLEY
❘
WINTER 2018
17