The Agape Ringers in Concert

The Agape Ringers, Chicago’s Premier Handbell Ensemble, is touring the Midwest and will perform in concert at Manchester United Methodist Church, 129 Woods Mill Road, Manchester, at 7:30 pm on Friday, September 30.

The popular auditioned handbell ensemble was featured on WTTW’s “Artbeat Chicago,” enjoys an on-going collaboration with pianist/composer Joel Raney, and has performed with jazz trumpeter Orbert Davis, the Rockford Symphony, the North Shore Choral Society, the Illinois Brass Band, the Elgin Choral Union, the West Suburban Symphony, and the West Towns Chorus. The fifteen musicians have a collective ringing experience of over 375 years, and perform on 76 bronze Malmark handbells and 73 Malmark Choirchimes.

Founder and director of The Agape Ringers, David L. Weck is an editor at Hope Publishing in Carol Stream, where he is solely responsible for creating and developing the company’s handbell catalog. Mr. Weck serves as a guest conductor at handbell events all over the United States and Canada, as well as Puerto Rico and Japan.

The Agape Ringers is noted for beautifully orchestrated presentations of entertaining and varied music. Listeners are entranced by the ensemble’s energy, precision and musicality. Since its founding in 1992, The Agape Ringers has made over 250 appearances across North America, Puerto Rico, and England. The ensemble has been featured as performers and teachers, including the Fellowship of American Baptist Musicians Conference for Church Musicians in Green Lake, WI, and national events of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR).

The September program encompasses a wide variety of musical styles, including a transcription of the classical work “Passacaglia” by G. F. Handel, the American folk song “Shenandoah”, hymn arrangements, original compositions for handbells, and a Joel Raney medley of gospel favorites.

The concert is free and open to the public. A free will offering will be taken. For more information, visit www.agaperingers.org or contact Sherry Boland at 636-256-7961.