The Glenora Farm Handbells Ensemble performs during the Cowichan Music Festival.

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial, April 15, 2011

By Peter Rusland - Cowichan News Leader Pictorial

Duncan United Church rings with joyous music during Sunday’s Bells Of Easter concert-benefit.

The event features the acclaimed Glenora Farm Handbells Ensemble that will use proceeds to buy a higher-octave set of 12 handbells and stretch the range of songs played under director Annette Lampson.

The set of U.S.-made bells sells for about $3,800.

The new bells resemble those used by the ensemble at the recent Cowichan Music Festival.

Sunday’s acts also include Sheila Johnson’s Cowichan Valley Youth Choir, the Jubilate Choir, and Bopoma Marimba.

Lampson’s handbell ensemble sees eight adult ‘companions’ with disabilities — some helped by caregivers — don white gloves and ring bells on cue from Lampson. Results during the music festival were lovely tunes through teamwork.

The ensemble will perform four tunes during Sunday’s show, including part of Mozart’s Sonata in A; Handel’s Largo in F; and traditional tunes Dona Nobis Pachem (Grant Us Peace), and The Bells of Easter.

Pianist Anita Gilmore backs all bell numbers; violinist Nikolai Lampson mans the bow on Dona and Bells. The youth choir and Jubilate join the ensemble during Bells of Easter.

Your ticket

What: Bells Of Easter concert-benefit

When: April 17, 3 p.m.

Where: Duncan United Church, Ingram Street.

Tickets: $12, family $20, at Ten Old, Gallowglass, and Volume One bookstores. Call 250-701-0687 or 250-715-1664.