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Background

In Utah, the use of English handbells in the worship setting is somewhat unique. Only congregations in churches fortunate enough to have a handbell choir are regularly able to enjoy the beautiful music produced by musicians playing bronze bells. For the rest, these musical moments of inspiration have not been available.

Thus, the new ministry acted to fill a void that existed for many in the worship setting. And when the BELLS OF JOYFUL SOUND began accepting invitations from area churches to present inspirational offerings during the worship hour (preludes, postludes, offertories, and special music), many requests for the services of this music ministry came rolling in.

Now, following in the rich tradition of its predecessor, the new mission has successfully defined its own identity. Today, the exquisite clarity of English handbells, joyously affirming God's infinite love and grace, is being heard with greater frequency by congregations in the churches of Utah, thanks to the efforts of the BELLS OF JOYFUL SOUND.

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Player Profiles

	Ashley is studying to be a nurse. She began ringing bells six years ago in the Wesley Bell Ringers Choir. She has an adorable American staffordshire terrier and a flamepoint siamese kitty. She listens to all kinds of music including a lot of rockabilly, new age, alternative and oldies. She plays lots of video games and loves action movies.
	C.J. grew up in Davis County, but now resides in Lehi, Utah. A graduate of Viewmont High school, class of 2003, he currently attends Utah Valley University pursuing a degree in Business Management. He also works full time as a merchandiser in SLC. Although he only recently picked up handbells, he has played saxophone for over 10 years and was an avid member of the University of Utah Marching Utes for the 2003 through 2009 seasons. He loves dogs and enjoying the outdoors.
	Colleen has been playing handbells since 1997 when she was looking in the newspaper for a musical group to join and saw an ad for bell ringers. She instantly fell in love with the sound of the bells and has been playing since then. She works as a hospice nurse. She is married to James. They share 8 children and 18 grandchildren. She spends tons of time in the theater with her husband. She also likes to jet ski, fish, and read.
	Katherine was born in Brigham City, Utah and raised in Taylorsville, Utah. Music has been part of her life since she was quite young. She loves playing the piano, ukulele, and singing. She's had the opportunity to be in many musical groups including junior high, high school, and college chamber choirs. Handbell Choir was one of her favorite classes in high school and feels so privileged to be in Bells of Joyful Sound. She's a graduate of LDS Business College with a degree in General Studies and a Certificate in Professional Sales, and will be attending BYU-Idaho to pursue a Bachelors Degree in Health Administration. Her hobbies consist of playing ukulele, being with her fiance, cooking, exercising, playing games, and listening to oldies (such as Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin).
	Jim, a business manager and computer specialist up at the "U" in Salt Lake City, has never married. Originally from Ohio, Jim lived in several states before moving to Utah from Virginia in 1993. He enjoys playing bass instruments, singing, developing web sites, watching Blu-ray/DVD movies, and playing computer games (Sims 3 is his current addiction). His favorites in the music realm are the classic oldies, swing, classical, and broadway musicals. Jim's favorite TV shows are "America's Funniest Videos," "Extreme Makeover Home Edition," "Glee," and "Modern Family". His all-time favorite movie is "Big", and like that character he believes he's a kid in an adult's body. He has a dog and two cats that keep him entertained at home. Jim loves to eat prime rib and chargrilled steak (rare), as well as pizza from "The Pie". He is a veteran with the BOJS, having played with the group since 1998.
	Melanie's biggest passion is making music! After teaching elementary school for 10 years (and loving it) she has recently shifted back to piano teaching, excited now to combine her two great loves, music and teaching. She is an accomplished pianist who has performed a piano solo on Temple Square, played background piano music at Nordstrom’s, and performed a humorous ‘Victor Borge’ style comedy piano duet at Weber State University. She has also been the accompanist for many choirs, playing at such places as the Dee Events Center in Ogden, the Marriott Center in Provo for a church broadcast, and on tour. Melanie’s newest musical passion is ringing handbells. She can’t get enough! Melanie is very creative and playful, a true kid at heart. Her hobbies include cycling, scrapbooking, and healthy cooking. She likes Mexican food and her favorite music to listen to is anything toe-tappin' with a good beat. Melanie is also interested in US history and intrigued by science. If she had a second life, she says she'd become a chemist.
	Erin, who was born and raised in Great Falls Montana, moved to Utah with her family in 2001. She graduated with an AS in music from SLCC and loves many types and styles of media, as well as dance and art. Erin also plays guitar and piano, and sings. She leads a worship band and sings in the choir at her home church besides involvement in the bells.
	Michael is a Utah native and has 6 children. His parents are from the Netherlands and he speaks Dutch fluently. Inactive from Real Estate, he currently works as a merchandiser for a national food broker, also having worked with the Utah Dept of Youth Corrections. A lifetime musician he began studying the violin at age 7. Standing 6’6” tall in high school, he switched over to the viola because his fingers became too large. Michael played in the Granite Jr. and Sr. Youth Symphonies, throughout secondary school. After graduating in 1975 he joined the Salt Lake Symphony. Michael resigned in 1993 to pursue a college degree from the University of Utah where in 1997 he received his BA in Sociology with a secondary education minor. Michael also sang with the Southern Utah Heritage Choir in St. George where he performed the bass solo in a requiem piece (in Italian.) 2010 is his second year playing hand bells and he loves it!
	Jessica was born in Bountiful, Utah, and has lived in Utah her whole life. She joined Bells of Joyful Sound after graduating from Murray High School. Jessica’s top 3 favorite movies (since she can’t choose just one) are “Chocolat,” “Phantom of the Opera,” & “The Great Mouse Detective.” Jessica enjoys playing piano, reading books, and playing Sims 3. Her favorite food varies from time to time but orange chicken always end up the winner. Jessica likes almost all genres of music, the exceptions being rap & hip hop.
	Kellie was born in New Jersey, grew up in Minnesota, lived in northern California for 13 years (where she first started ringing handbells) and has lived in Utah for 15 years. She started with Bells of Joyful Sound in late 1997, and has also rung with Utah Valley Handbell Choir and Wasatch Presbyterian Church (WPC) "Joyful Noise". She enjoyed WPC so much she joined it about 3 years ago. She recently returned to the Bells of Joyful Sound as a full time ringer in January 2011. She is a database administrator and works for a large grocery retailer. A fun fact about Kellie is that she has played all 5 octaves of bells at some point in her bell-ringing career.
	Paul was born in Utah. He attended Weber State University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He works as an accountant in Lehi. Paul loves Italian food and other "fine" dining. In his spare time he enjoys playing the piano in addition to handbells. He has rung bells for the past six years and was previously a member of the Utah Valley Handbell Choir.
	Nicole loves watching movies, her favorite is Dirty Dancing. She also enjoys being with her friends and family. Christmas is her favorite holiday. She is studying medical administration and hopes to one day run her own medical office. Nicole has played bells for 10 years. Some would say she is the "choir clown" of the group.
	MaryAnne was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is a graduate of LDS Business College with a degree in General Studies, and she is currently pursuing a Paralegal degree from the same institution. Music is her passion; she has been singing essentially since she could talk, and she has been in a great many musical groups, such as high school and college madrigal choirs. Although she has only been ringing bells for a few months, she enjoys the new musical experience, and she hopes to continue ringing for many years to come. Some of her other hobbies include watching movies, camping, reading books, bicycling, taking pictures and baking desserts.

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The Bells of Joyful Sound use the following equipment:

• 5 octaves of Malmark handbells (C3 - C8)
• 4 octaves of Malmark Choirchimes (G3 - G7) and one half-octave of Marmark Choirchimes (G2 - B2)
• 7 Malmark "Totable" six-foot folding tables & 2 Malmark "Totable" 3-foot folding tables
• 15 four-inch thick foam pads covered with material
• 8 (5 green & 3 blue) corduroy table covers used for performances
• 12 folding music folders
• 12 Malmark portable lights that attach to the music folders
• 26 TruTimbre mallets in six different sizes
• 4 Malmark mallets
• 13 pair of black Plastic Dot gloves for performances and numerous cotton gloves for rehearsals