Westwood Ringers to “Ring in Spring” with Concert Supporting Ukrainian Refugees

Thanks to First Baptist Church of Westwood for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.

The Westwood Ringers will be present their annual “Ring in Spring” handbell concert on Sunday afternoon, May 22, at 4:00 p.m. The free concert will be held in Fellowship Hall at the First Baptist Church, 808 High Street in Westwood.

The program will feature music of a number of highly respected handbell composers and arrangers. Each selection is intended to raise people’s spirits by celebrating the themes of spring and peace. It is expected to run approximately an hour.

A special feature of this year’s concert will be the performance of the State Anthem of Ukraine. The anthem was composed by Mykhailo Mykhailovych Verbytsky, and has been arranged for handbells by Timothy H. Waugh. The arrangement was created in musical and cultural consultation with native Ukrainian Olga Waugh. A basket will be available for a free will offering and, at the Waughs’ suggestion, a portion of the funds collected will be contributed to the official Ukrainian Red Cross to help care for those displaced refugees inside and outside their native country.

While Peter de Reyna, the Ringers’ director, is on tour this spring with the Seven Spires, a heavy metal band, the group is honored to have Daniel K. Moore providing their direction. Dan lives in Rhode Island and is the former director of the Concert Handbell Ringers of the Wheeler School in Providence. He has been involved with handbells in many capacities over the years including directing, teaching, working as a handbell manufacturer’s representative, and serving on the boards of the National and Area 1 AGEHR/Handbell Musicians of America.

The Westwood Ringers started as a church youth group in 1965, but their composition has gradually changed and there are now eleven Ringers, all adults. Although they ring during worship services at the First Baptist Church about twice a month, they are not all members of the church, nor do they all reside in Westwood. Today’s Ringers come from Westwood, Dedham, Norwood, and Walpole, as well as from as far away as Franklin and Marlborough. Having gradually added instruments as time has gone by, the group now rings an impressive five complete octaves of bells as well as five octaves of chimes.

For more information about the concert, contact the First Baptist Church office at 781-461-1730.

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