Celebration Ringers

King of Glory Lutheran Church at 3430 N Maple Grove Rd. will host a free handbell concert by the Celebration Ringers from Colorado Springs, CO at 7:00 pm on Thursday, June 2. This high school group is one of five handbell choirs at First Lutheran Church. Over the last twenty years they have toured every June presenting concerts in cities throughout 15 states. Their concert features a variety of handbell music from traditional hymn tunes to a South Australian sea shanty. In addition to the high school ringers, five alumni Celebration Ringers join the tour this year.

Violinist, Elisa Wicks, will be a featured artist on the program. Elisa is the artistic director of Parish House Baroque, Colorado Springs' early music ensemble, and plays principal second in the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in violin performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Her sons, Daniel and Paul, are members of the Celebration Ringers.

Due to the pandemic, the group has not been able to travel for two years. On the road again they will play concerts in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Utah, and Colorado. Their director, Joan Kuehn, has been on staff at First Lutheran since 1988. This will be her last tour with the Celebration Ringers. The concert is free and open to the public.