Handbell Concert

The Carillons, the advanced handbell choir sponsored by The Presbyterian Church at Pluckemin, will present a concert on May 20 at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary at  311 Rt 202-206 North, Pluckemin. The church is located in the Pluckemin section of Bedminster, near Washington Valley Road.

Bridgewater resident Marcia McBurney directs the 13-member group, which includes both teenagers and adults. The participants ring five octaves of handbells and six octaves of choir chimes. They recently performed at the Hudson Valley Handbell Festival in Nyack, New York, with bell choirs from across the region.

For the May 20 concert,  the choir will perform advanced handbell compositions of both sacred and secular music. The musical event is free and no reservations are needed; a free-will offering will be received.

For more information or directions, visit the church website at ppch.org, or contact the church office at 908-658-3346 [weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.], or 908-526-5282.

“Ringing handbells is something that you tend to fall in love with. Ringers are generally the busiest of people—talented musicians, who are interested and involved in many other activities,” says McBurney, who has directed the Carillons for 20 years.