Brasstown Ringers features handbells, vocals and carols

  • Brasstown Ringers members are, from front, Jackie Reed, Linda Sterrett, Director and Glenda Wattenberger; center, Anne Rice, Kathy Tant, Lonney McDonald, Margie Hendry, Sharon Schickedantz and Terry Kinton Mayhew; back, Liza Lawrence, Brett McDonald, Steve Holcomb, Theresa Ramsey, Laura Mowell, Evie Miller, Frank Rule and Mark Schickedantz. Not pictured: Sheila Gregory, Linda Holcomb, Aimee Johnson and Ron Mayhew.
    Brasstown Ringers members are, from front, Jackie Reed, Linda Sterrett, Director and Glenda Wattenberger; center, Anne Rice, Kathy Tant, Lonney McDonald, Margie Hendry, Sharon Schickedantz and Terry Kinton Mayhew; back, Liza Lawrence, Brett McDonald, Steve Holcomb, Theresa Ramsey, Laura Mowell, Evie Miller, Frank Rule and Mark Schickedantz. Not pictured: Sheila Gregory, Linda Holcomb, Aimee Johnson and Ron Mayhew.

    By Lonney McDonald

    Guest Writer

     

    To kick-off the 2025 holiday season, Brasstown Ringers, a community handbell ensemble, invites you to their annual concert, “Christmastime!” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at First United Methodist Church, Franklin, N.C., 66 Harrison Avenue. The program will include a variety of pieces that feature traditional carols, classical and pop favorites which showcase the beauty and depth of handbell music. These arrangements use six octaves of Schulmerich bells and seven
    octaves of Malmark chimes to spotlight various ringing techniques. The First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir with join these advanced ringers in select choral/bell selections and an audience sing-along will hopefully get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

    As part of Brasstown Ringers’ winter season, additional concerts are scheduled: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at Hiawassee United Methodist Church in Hiawassee, Ga.; 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 at Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church in Rabun Gap, Ga.; and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at Sharp United Methodist Church in Young Harris, Ga. Church choirs at each location will join the ringers on select songs and audience participation is encouraged on sing-alongs that feature familiar carols. Although all concerts are free, monetary donations are gratefully accepted.

    Brasstown Ringers was formed in Sept. 1992 and today, the number of bells and ringers has grown as members travel from across North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia to ring together. The choir practices throughout the year under the direction of Linda Sterrett and meets weekly at Oak Forest United Methodist Church in Hayesville. Each season, Brasstown Ringers perform a spring and winter concert series at various locations and upon request, small group ensembles are available to participate in worship services, club meetings, etc. For details about upcoming handbell workshops or concerts, email director Linda Sterrett at: lkmsterrett@gmail.com.