Westwood Ringers Release Spring Concert Online this Friday, June 25th

The Westwood Ringers were recently pleased to announce that their 2021 Spring Concert, performed for video cameras only, will be released online on June 25, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. The link to the video on YouTube will be https://youtu.be/XEKPiUFxQKQ which will become active at that time. In addition, the link to the video will be available on the website of the First Baptist Church of Westwood (www.FBCWestwood.org) as well as on the church’s Facebook page.

The Ringers have traditionally given two handbell concerts each year, one in the spring and one just before Christmas. Because of Covid-19, there were no concerts during 2020, but the Ringers faced the challenges brought on by the pandemic and figured out how to continue to meet and practice safely. In place of a live concert this spring, they decided to try something new and, with hard work and the support and help of many people, they have produced this 2021 Spring Concert video.

Recorded in Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church, the concert runs for about 27 minutes and features a combination of secular and sacred music. The five selections begin with Blessed Assurance, arranged by Cynthia Dobrinski, and conclude with What A Wonderful World, arranged by Sandra Eithun.

Jan Randlett, Director of Music at First Baptist, hopes that not only will this video appeal to those who are already fans of the Ringers, but that it might introduce handbell ringing to a wider audience. “The Westwood Ringers are a talented group. They work hard and enjoy sharing the art of handbell ringing with people of all ages.”

The first handbell choir at First Baptist Church was a youth group in 1965. Over the years they have gradually evolved, and today the members of the Westwood Ringers are all adults. They are not necessarily members of the First Baptist Church, nor do they all live in Westwood – the principal requirement is that they enjoy ringing handbells.

Peter de Reyna, a graduate of Westwood High School and the Berklee College of Music, is the Director of the Westwood Ringers. Current performers include Ann Neville, Chrissie Burtt-Henderson, Donna Folsom, Jodi Murray, Liz Rice, Sheila Bennett, Steve Barrett, Vera Dumova, Vickie DeVoy, Wendy Davis, and Wendy Lewis. While several members live in Westwood, others come from Brockton, Franklin, Newton, Norwood and Walpole.

Thanks to First Baptist Church for contributing this article to Westwood Minute. For up-to-the-minute news around town, subscribe for free to the Westwood Minute's daily email newsletter! Just click the blue "Sign Up" button below.