The Penobscot Bay Ringers
Director: Bunny Stanley

The Penobscot Bay Ringers is the first Community Handbell Choir in Maine. We are a collection of individuals interested in sharing its love of handbells/handchimes and musical performance. We provide musical training/education to our members and to anyone in the community also interested in these instruments. We bring together ringers from four local church choirs, train people who have never rang before, and invite ringers from near and far who are not affiliated with a church to join us in practice and performance. One goal within the next year or two is to begin a handchime and/or handbell program with youth in the area.

Our group gives community concerts throughout the year, at which we will request a free-will donation or charge a small fee. These monies mainly go to local charities, with a small portion providing funds for the purchase of additional music, instrument/equipment maintenance, and training. We also perform at venues such as weddings, gallery openings, fundraisers and public events.

It is our hope, that in our striving to adhere to the principles of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (A.G.E.H.R.), we will be an instrument of peace, promoting harmony in Midcoast Maine and beyond.

We came together for the first time in June of 2008. During Christmas of 2008 we had the opportunity to ring alongside "Maine Pro Musica," a professional orchestra directed by Janna Hymes (www.jannahymes.com) of the Williamsburg Symphonia. This "Holiday Pops" concert at the Camden Opera House featured local musicians, statewide musicans, plus a Metropolitan Opera singer and her husband performing together. Concert plans for 2009 include performances at a wedding, a benefit fundraiser dinner and auction at our local YMCA, two combined concerts with the local handbell concerts, attending the Area I Festival in Orono and working with Janna Hymes again for the 2009 Holiday Pops Concert at the Camden Opera House. We also plan to do at least one or two outreach concerts in the fall for the community. Please visit our website at www.penobscotbayringers.org for the latest information. Thanks!