Photo by Amy Cherry Members of the St. Marys Handbell Choir, established in 1992, ring true as they perform Sunday morning in St. Marys Church. The choir is under the direction of founder Lynn Nicklas.

By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

    For the past 18 years the St. Marys Parish Handbell Choir has been making heavenly music during various church feast days and at numerous community events.

The Handbell Choir can be heard on a regular basis during Sunday masses, held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.

    Under the direction of Lynn Nicklas and Janet Forester, substitute director, the choir rehearses every Wednesday evening. Nicklas has been involved with the music program at the St. Marys Church since 1978.

    Among the nine-member choir chiming a joyful noise are Steve Secco, Patty Wehler, Rosemarie Gregory, Victor Pasi, Delphene Gerber, Charlene Mulcahy, Sr. Mary David, Michelle Schaffer, Donna Wendel and substitute ringer Brian Myers, who plays with the choir during college breaks.

    Members, ranging in age from 27-77, say they enjoy making a contribution to the church and praising the Lord in their own special way.

    “It’s being able to give praise to God in song and sounds of hand bells,” Gerber said.

    “I enjoy being with people who share the same interest, learning music and adding more meaning to the Mass by helping people in the seats participate more ,” Pasi added.

    Friendships run strong in the small, close-knit group. According to Nicklas there is very little turn-over in the Bell Choir as members have been together for many years and have become a small faith sharing group.

    Each year the choir goes on tour to local nursing homes prior to the start of their fall season.

    The choir’s repertoire consists of sacred, classical and seasonal music, folk tunes and patriotic selections. Among the group’s favorite pieces are “To A Wild Rose”, “O Holy Night”, “Come Christians, Join to Sing”, “Grandfather’s Clock”, and “The William Tell Overture.”

    Nicklas explained that many of the ringers are not trained musicians and most do not read music. They are able to play by color coding the notes of their music which match the bells to be rung and by counting time.

    She added that among the challenge of directing the choir is getting the ringers to keep one eye on her and one on the music, all while ringing two or more bells.

    “It is a challenge to have seasonal music and music that is liturgically correct ready for all services we play, however with careful practice, dynamics develop and a beautiful sound emerges,” Nicklas said. “Aside from the friendships, beginning a new selection with the choir and working on it, shining and polishing it until it is truly a beautiful sound when performed is the most enjoyable aspect of being involved with the choir.”

    Choir member Charlene Mulcahy added that she enjoys “the friendships that we have and while not being able to read music the ability to make a song instead of just noise.”

    “I only wish we could use the bells wherever there is music. Something about the bells which makes music more beautiful,” said Sister Mary David.

    Each bell represents a separate note. Those with white handles are natural notes while bells with black handles are sharp and flat notes.

    The St. Marys Parish Handbell Choir has a set of 61 bells along with 48 feet of a special playing table which folds up easily and is topped with a thick cushion and a table skirt. Larger bells are played with mallets.

    Gloves must be worn by ringers to prevent corroding marks on the bells which is caused by oils in the skin of the fingers. Ringers are also required to polish the bells on a regular basis. Bells last forever with proper maintenance to the handles and springs.

    According to Nicklas the choir was formed in 1992 following the acquisition of five octaves of Malmark Handbells from the now defunct John T. Hall estate in Mechanicsburg. The church paid $6,500 for the entire set of bells, tables and cushions. She noted that to buy them today would cost nearly $24,000.

    The handbells were originally made by the Verdin Bell Company of Cincinnati, OH, who also made the church’s tower bells. This part of the operation was sold to Malmark Inc. Bellcraftsmen out of  Plumsteadsville where they make and maintain bells. The Pennsylvania company sells more handbells than any other handbell manufacturer in the world.