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Background

Since 1978, the JOYFUL SOUND has conducted a contemporary Christian vocal music ministry for host congregations in the Utah, Idaho, and Colorado area. In September 1997, a dynamic new extension of that ministry was unveiled in the form of the BELLS OF JOYFUL SOUND - a full-blown handbell choir that pledged to "ring out the magnificent glory of God!"

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

Erin , born in Great Falls, Montana, came to Utah in 2001 and is a graduate of Salt Lake Community College. Her favorite movies include "Peter Pan," "Pirates Of The Caribbean," and the "Lord Of The Rings" trilogy, Although she doesn't have time for much TV, she'll occasionally tune in to "Dancing With The Stars" and "Stargate SG-1." She likes all kinds of music except country, and her taste in food runs to pizza and anything chocolate. Erin plays guitar and also sings in her church choir. She has a collection of Jones soda bottles and state quarters, and she also enjoys calligraphy and cross-stitching, together with ballroom dancing.
Lorna , born in California, moved to Las Vegas at the age of 5. During her school years, she played piano, organ, and sang in the choir. She met her husband Greg at BYU, and they moved to Salt Lake City after his graduation. They have six children and nine grandchildren. Lorna has taught piano for over 35 years and recently went back to college, graduating in 2003. She now teaches children with visual impairments for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. One of Lorna's favorite movies is "Much Ado About Nothing" and her favorite TV show is currently a toss up between "The Closer" and "Bones." She loves all types of music (except rap), with a particular fondness for Irish and trumpet music and opera duets. Although Lorna's favorite food is ice cream. she's cutting back because she's trying to eat healthy. Her hobbies include reading, art, bike riding, beading, swimming, and handwork of all types.
Sabra , who was born in Spokane, Washington, came to Utah at the age of 9. She attended Davis High School where she learned to play handbells and recently graduated from Southern Utah University with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Development. She now teaches two-year olds at a Montessori school in Salt Lake valley. Sabra enjoys cross-stitching and listening to audio books. She likes "big band" music and loves to go swing dancing on weekends. Her favorite food is stuffed shells, and her all-time favorite movie is "Pride and Prejudice." She has a pet beta fish named DaVinci and a black and white King snake named DeVil (as in Cruella).
Jim , a business manager and computer specialist up at the "U" living 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 volleyball and bass instruments, singing, developing web sites, entertaining children, and playing computer games (Sims 2 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," "Desperate Housewives," "Ugly Betty," "E.R.," "Heroes," "Pushing Daisies," and "Samantha Who?". 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, as well as pizza from "The Pie", and his Internet name is Cool Hand Jim.
Jane , who was born in Long Island, New York, moved to Utah in 2005. She and her husband, Robert, have two children. She's employed as a curriculum specialist for Pearson Digital Learning, writing ESL software for kids. Her taste in music ranges from Andalusian folk music to zydeco, and in similar fashion, she enjoys a wide variety of foods, including Korean, Thai, Japanese, and Indian. Jane doesn't watch TV, but she enjoys movie documentaries on occasion. She also plays the French horn, likes to read, hike, cook ethnic food, and work at restoring her 1893 home near the Avenues in Salt Lake City.
Liana , a lifelong Utahn, enjoys life with her husband, Russell, and her two dogs - a pug and a border collie. She's an assistant manager at Riverton Music and a student at Salt Lake Community College. Her favorite movies include "About A Boy," "Love Actually," and "The Shawshank Redemption," and her favorite TV shows are "Heroes," "Scrubs," and "The Office." Liana enjoys Oriental and Indian food, and her tastes in music range from the offerings of Counting Crows and Muse to that of Beethoven and Debussy. She's also teaching herself to play the flute, and when she's not reading a book, she's listening to one on her IPod. Liana loves to snowboard, hike, camp, and flyfish, and recently she and Russell have been having fun playing the World of Warcraft.
Tiffany is a native of Salt Lake City. She married Brian 5 years ago, and they have a 18-month-old son. After ringing bells in high school, Tiffany then resumed ringing when, as a stay-at-home mom, she joined the Bells Of Joyful Sound in the fall of 2007. She enjoys playing the piano also plays the viola whenever she can get the chance. Tiffany loves anything outside, including hiking, biking, walking, camping, fishing, kayaking, snowshoeing - anything that lets her breathe the fresh air. She's an avid reader and also loves baking. hoping someday to open a cheesecake shop with her husband.
Patti , born in Panguitch, Utah, has lived in Salt Lake City for 25 years. She and her husband, Darryl have five sons and one dog who bring all kinds of adventure into their lives. Patti is a registered nurse and works at St. Mark's Hospital. Her favorite movie is "The Sound of Music" and her favorite book is Les Miserables. She loves to travel and has been to Hungary, Thailand, Philippines, Mexico, Belize, France, Canada, and Ukraine. She also likes to read, hike, camp, bake, quilt and learn new things. Patti enjoys all kinds of music, and has learned to play the piano, flute, violin and guitar. Her favorite foods are fresh raspberries, strawberry shortcake and chocolate chip cookies.
Leslie was born in Idaho and moved to Utah as a child. During and after her college years, she lived in Hawaii and Samoa. She married Greg and, after his 4 year Air Force committment, they returned to Utah. She's the mother of three children and grandmother of five. Leslie is an active member of the Utah Tour Guide Association and regularly conducts guided tours for several companies in the valley. When she's not spending time with her family, she enjoys suspense and romance movies, reading mystery novels, and listening to music of the 60's and jazz. Leslie also plays tennis, likes pasta, and, as an accomplished pianist, is an accompanist at her church.
Mike was born in Salt Lake City, along with his two brothers and two sisters. He works as a manager at a pizza chain, but in his sparetime he enjoys listening to music (especially classical), reading books, and playing video games. Mike's all-time favorite movie is "Equilibruim," and his favorite eating delight is coxina. He has an extensive music background, having played flute and bassoon in school, and he also played handbells for 3 years with the Wesley Bell Ringers.
Nicole , who was born in Utah, attended Olympus High School and is an alumnus of the Wesley Bell Ringers. For the past two years, she's worked at Noodles and Company. She spends a lot of time with her family, but in her spare time (when she's not at work), she "hangs" with her friends at the movies or the gym. Nicole loves Mexican and Italian food, and her favorite TV show is Friends (she owns all ten seasons on DVD). Her favorite music is Hip Hop or R&B, but when Christmas rolls around, all she listens to is Christmas music. She also enjoys reading and confesses to owning a bunch of movies, of which she really cannot identify a favorite.
Jeanie , who is a certified nursing assistant, has lived in Salt Lake City her entire life. She has two children and three grandchildren. Jean plays the piano and enjoys hiking. Her favorite food is pizza and her tastes in music favor classical and soft rock. When time permits, she enjoys watching "Friends" on the TV, and her all-time favorite movie is "Fisher King."
Melanie , a lifelong resident of Utah, is a graduate of Weber State University. She's an educator at heart, formerly as a fifth grade teacher and now in her own business teaching others about health and nutrition. Melanie is accomplished on the piano, as an accompanist, soloist, and teacher, but her newest passion is ringing handbells. Her hobbies include cycling, scrapbooking, and healthy cooking. She loves Mexican food, her favorite music is anything toe-tappin' with a good beat, and she has a pet bird named "Snowy." Melanie loves US history and is intrigued by science. If she had a second life, she says she'd be a chemist.

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Handbell Equipment

The Bells of Joyful Sound use the following equipment:

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Last Update: October 24, 2007