The Bell Choir Program at UBC began in 1994 with a 3 octave set of handbells purchased through the Wish List. Allen McCormack was the choir’s first director. In 1995 Jean Lubke took over as Director when Allen moved to New York. In 1996 the Minors Choir (so named by the participants) was created as an entry choir for children, youth, and adults; and the original “bell choir” took the name Carillon. In 1998 we expanded our options by adding the 2 octave set of choir chimes, instruments that are easier for young children to use, as well as add a wonderfully rich sound to combined choir pieces.

 

For the last few years the Carillon Choir has participated in BellFest!, a public concert of 20+ massed bell choirs. During the 1999 Christmas season, we had the distinct honor and privilege of performing as part of the Miss Richfield Holiday Show-a highlight we’ll LONG remember!

 

Our Sesquicentennial Celebration, July 16th, 2000, marked the inaugural rings of our newest additions to our program—the 4th octave of handbells, giving us more flexibility in the music we can do, and more sonority in the music that we play! This 4th octave add-on set gives us an additional half octave of little bells and a half octave of the “big bells.” In 2001, we further expanded our program by adding a third choir for advanced ringers, the Majors.

In the summer of 2004, we conducted our first concert tour taking our sounds and stories to northern England and Scotland. We toured the John Taylor bell foundry and learned about "off the table" ringing!  Our ringing style and antics delighted audiences in Grasmere, Edinburgh, and Howarth.  The summer of 2006 may take us on tour again!

 

The bell program continues to provide a delightful opportunity for fun intergenerational, family music activities.