Songs of Hope

Selections will include three new arrangements by Bell Durham Artistic Director Mitchell Eithun. 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.

Bell Durham will be joined by two accomplished vocalists, Imani McKoy and Tyra Scott, on "I Dream a World." In addition, McKoy will be featured in "Come Sunday," a Duke Ellington piece arranged for handbells and voice by Eithun.

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. The concert also will include handbell music from Hong Kong and Puerto Rico.

This family friendly event is free and will last about an hour.

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.

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

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