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

The concert will be led by LeAnna Willmore, conductor of the Bells on Temple Square, with associate conductor, Larry Smith, also directing several numbers, all performed by the 33-member, all-volunteer ensemble.  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 numbers will be interspersed with organ solos by Temple Square organists Bonnie Goodliffe and Linda Margetts, as well as pieces by members of the Orchestra at Temple Square.

The handbell choir has been performing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and in separate concerts since 2005. Part of the Choir family, the Bells organization includes 33 volunteer musicians drawn from the 100-mile radius of Temple Square.

Watch Bells on Temple Square videos from past concerts to sample their musical expertise and visually appealing performances.

Tickets are free, but required for this annual holiday concert. Tickets may be requested beginning Tuesday, October 25 at 10:00 a.m. Patrons without tickets are encouraged to join the standby line by the flag pole for last-minute seating, which is often available.