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First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake's bell choir celebrates 40 years with concert, memories

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Daryl Quitalig - For Shaw Media Donna Ladner (left), Ryan LaSarre, Kristina Postal, and Jody Fields, all of Crystal Lake, practice from memory during a Jubilate Adult Handbell Choir rehearsal Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake. The church will be celebrating its 40th anniversary with a concert March 13, at 4 p.m. In 1976, the handbell program started under the direction of Karen Snodgrass with one choir and 37 bells and now has five bell and chime choirs from third graders through adults with more than 220 handbells and handchimes. (Daryl Quitalig)

By JAMI KUNZER

Placed in Karen Snodgrass’ hands 40 years ago, the bells at the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake still are ringing.

What began with 37 bells – bought in 1976 and still in use at the church – has grown to more than 220 handbells and handchimes used by five bell and chime choirs, with players ranging in age from third-graders to adults.

The size and popularity of the program is rare among area churches, just as handbell choirs were years ago when ministers approached Snodgrass with the idea. Back then, the bells, often played in the pubs of England, weren’t really known as the art form fans see them as today.

“I hadn’t even heard of a bell choir before,” said Snodgrass, who since has retired from directing the church choirs but will perform at 4 p.m. March 13 with the church’s Jubilate Adult Handbell Choir as part of a 40th anniversary celebration concert.

“The first time I heard a bell choir, I was brought to tears because I had no idea this medium, when played so well, could touch your heart the way it did,” remembered Snodgrass, a voice and music teacher at the time. “It just totally grabbed me, and that was when I went to get trained.”

She learned from the best, working with the late Don Allured, known as a pioneer of handbell ringing and a past president of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. Snodgrass ultimately served as chairman of the group’s Midwest chapter.

Along with the adult choir performance, the upcoming concert also will feature the church’s Good Vibrations High School Handbell Choir and a song dedicated to late bell ringer Kimberly Keegan, who died in 2012 after playing bells since sixth-grade at the church. Keegan’s high school daughter, Cassidy, will perform the song “I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry” – commissioned by the church in Keegan’s memory – with the adult choir.

The event will celebrate generations of bell-ringing at the church. Snodgrass’ daughter, Robin Restrepo, now helps direct under Bellmaster Toni Gambini, who has overseen the choirs for the past two decades, since Snodgrass’ retirement. Snodgrass’ grandchildren now play bells, as well.

Under her leadership and still today, the choirs have taken part in festivals, and the high school choir has gone on short tours every spring.

The dedication of players, especially younger generations pulled in numerous directions, through the years is a testament to the leadership and its continuity, those involved say.

Many of those who played in high school have returned to play as adults, Gambini said. And because of their years of playing, the choirs are at higher skill levels than most other churches, said Gambini, who came to Crystal Lake from Colorado to head up the choirs part time more than 20 years ago.

“I heard this incredible hand choir,” she said of her initial visit to the First Congregational Church. “I was inspired by what a bell choir could do. [Snodgrass] got people excited about it and people involved. … Nobody is a paid musician. They’re all volunteers. She just took the mantle. She broke the ground and planted the seed.”

Bellringers must be dedicated. Like the keys of a piano, players must work together to make the music happen. If a key’s broken or a player doesn’t show up, the song can’t be played.

At the First Congregational Church, groups of adults, high schoolers, sixth- through eighth-graders and fourth- through fifth-graders meet weekly to practice. The church also has a third-grade choir using chimes, which Gambini describes as similar to bells but less expensive, with a sound more like a flute.

“We do accept people who have never rung [in the adult choir], but it’s rare,” she said. “Most are kids who have come up through our program, who have been ringing since sixth-grade and earlier.”

Anyone can learn to ring, those involved say, but it takes coordination. And players must work with one another well, often forming a bond unlike any other.

When it all comes together, Gambini said, “It’s just a sense. Sometimes there are no words.”

“It’s an art form not only for your ears, but also for your eyes,” she said. “If you’re in front of a really good bell choir, it’s inspiring just because of the visual grace of it. In a church setting, it’s perfect.”

First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake Bell Program 40th Anniversary Celebration Concert

WHEN: 4 p.m. March 13

WHERE: First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake

INFO: Featuring the church's Jubilate Adult Handbell Choir and Good Vibrations High School Handbell Choir, under the direction of Toni Gambini, bellmaster. The concert will include the work of great composers, such as Cathy Moklebusts's double bell choir arrangement of "Simple Gifts," Michael Kastner's "Little Fugue" (featuring Matt Potts on orchestral chimes) and Michael Joy's "Proclamation." Moklebust's "I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry" will be performed in tribute to late bell ringer Kimberly Keegan. The concert is free, but a free-will offering will be taken. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Information: 815-459-6010 or www.fcc-cl.org.