The Bells on Temple Square will open the holiday season with its concert, “Ring Praises,” its annual concert on Friday and Saturday, November 18-19, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

The 33-member, all-volunteer bell ensemble will be directed by LeAnna Willmore, conductor of the Bells on Temple Square, and associate conductor Larry Smith.  Speaking of the concert, Willmore said, “The audience will not only enjoy watching these experienced ringers — some of whom have been with the handbell choir since it was organized in 2005 — but will also be delighted with the holiday music and variety of unique sounds produced by the bells.”

The evening will open with “Our Great Redeemer’s Praise” composed by Arnold B. Sherman and will continue with selections celebrating the Christmas season such as “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”  Also featured will be hymns of praise such as “Dona Nobis Pacem,” and “I Need Thee Every Hour”.  In keeping with this concert’s tradition, the bell choir selections will be interspersed with organ solos by Temple Square organists Bonnie Goodliffe and Linda Margetts, as well as ensemble pieces by members of the Orchestra at Temple Square.

Tickets for the Bells on Temple Square holiday concert are free, but will go quickly. Don’t miss this opportunity! Tickets will be available beginning Tuesday, October 25 at 10:00 a.m. Admission is open to those eight years and older. Patrons without tickets are encouraged to join the standby line by the flag pole for last-minute seating, which is often available.

The handbell choir has been performing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and in separate concerts since 2005. Part of the Choir organization, the Bells ensemble includes volunteer musicians drawn from a 100-mile radius of Temple Square. The Bells on Temple Square rehearsals in the Salt Lake Tabernacle are open to the public on most Wednesday nights. Please check the Choir website calendar to confirm specific rehearsal dates as they are subject to change or pre-emption.

For a sample of the Bells on Temple Square musical expertise and visually appealing style, watch the ensemble’s amazing performance of “Flight of the Bumble Bee.”