The Bells at Temple Square (formerly known as the Bells on Temple Square) is a handbell choir that is an official music organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was formed in 2005 under the direction of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (Choir).[1] The group is a double handbell choir, performing with 27 to 35 ringers on two sets of Malmark handbells (one seven-octave set and one 6½ octave set) and two sets of Malmark handchimes (six octaves each). The octave two bells are Malmark aluminums. Each part is usually doubled (played by two ringers on separate sets), except octave two.
Bells at Temple Square | |
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 The Bells at Temple Square performing in the Salt Lake Tabernacle | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Genres | Worship, classical |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Mormon Tabernacle Choir Label; The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square Label (current) |
| Website | Bells at Temple Square |
The Bells at Temple Square frequently accompany the Choir in its annual Christmas concert and on the weekly Music and the Spoken Word broadcast.[2] Additionally, the group performs its own semi-annual concerts, typically in November[3] and June.[4]
The Bells on Temple Square was selected to perform the closing concert at the 2017 National Seminar for the Handbell Musicians of America, held in Anaheim, CA.[5] The group was also selected to perform at the 2023 National Seminar for the Handbell Musicians of America, held in Irving, Texas.[6]
On May 8, 2020, it was announced that the Bells on Temple Square would now be known as the Bells at Temple Square, in accordance with the Choir's new visual identity.[7]
Thomas M. Waldron served as the group's first conductor from 2005 thru 2011. LeAnna Willmore succeeded him in 2011 after serving as associate director since 2005.[8] She retired in June 2024 and was succeeded by Geoff Anderson, who had served as the associate conductor since 2017.[9][10]
Gallery
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The Bells at Temple Square performing in "Music and the Spoken Word" -
The Bells at Temple Square performing in the Salt Lake City Tabernacle -
Handbells owned by the Bells at Temple Square in the Tabernacle
See also
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Notes
edit- ^ "The Bells on Temple Square". Accessed 5 November 2007.
- ^ "Bells at Temple Square Concert". thetabernaclechoir.org. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
- ^ "Bells at Temple Square Concert". thetabernaclechoir.org. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
- ^ ""Bells In Motion" – Bells Concert Spring 2023". thetabernaclechoir.org. 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
- ^ "Bells on Temple Square Concert: "An Expedition of Sound"". The Tabernacle Choir Blog. 11 April 2018. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
- ^ Rappleye, Christine (13 June 2023). "See photos from and watch the Bells at Temple Square's spring concert". Church News. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
- ^ "More Changes: Learn New Ensemble Names!". www.thetabernaclechoir.org. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
- ^ "LeAnna Willmore: Conductor, Bells at Temple Square". thetabernaclechoir.org. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
- ^ "Geoff Anderson: Associate Conductor, Bells at Temple Square". thetabernaclechoir.org. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
- ^ Rappleye, Christine (June 14, 2024). "Bells at Temple Square conductor LeAnna Willmore to retire". Church News. Retrieved 12 October 2024.