Ring In the Thousand Years of Peace

The theme for the concert is "Ring In the Thousand Years of Peace,” a line from the poem “Ring Out, Wild Bells” by Alfred Lord Tennyson. The two ensembles will perform a piece by Daniel E. Gawthrop named for the poem, which uses the imagery of church bells to call for ringing in a new year filled with truth, love and peace.

Another highlight of the repertoire is "The Bells," a musical setting of the Edgar Allen Poe poem for handbells and chorus by David York. The piece evokes the changing stages of life – from joyous wedding bells to mournful funeral tolls.

Selections performed by Bell Durham will include three new arrangements by Mitchell Eithun, the group’s artistic director. The first, "Total Praise," is a handbell version of the popular composition by Richard Smallwood, the well-known gospel artist who died in December. The second, "What the World Needs Now Is Love," captures the 1965 Burt Bacharach hit recorded by Jackie DeShannon.

The third, "I Dream a World," is based on the celebrated Langston Hughes poem and the choral music of André J. Thomas. Members of the Chamber Choir will join Bell Durham on "I Dream a World."

Tickets are $5 at the door and all payment types are accepted.

This project was supported by the Durham Arts Council’s Annual Arts Fund and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.

Bell Durham is Durham’s first community handbell ensemble. Using six octaves of handbells, handchimes, and various other instruments, the ensemble plays advanced music from around the world and across the musical spectrum including traditional handbell music, classical music arranged for handbells, pieces by modern handbell composers, and seasonal classics with a handbell twist.

The Choral Society of Durham Chamber Choir is a select 30-36 voice ensemble drawn from the main choir. Members are selected by audition from throughout the Triangle area.

For more information, visit our website (https://belldurham.org/) or email us ([email protected]).

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