The Capital City Ringers Handbell Ensemble - About Us
The Capital City Ringers would love to play for your event: wedding, concert, civic event, corporate function, workshops, special celebrations, etc. We generally book performances 1 year in advance, so contact us now!
The Capital City Ringers, Inc., an auditioned community handbell ensemble from Lansing, Michigan, was formed in 1984 to give an opportunity for advanced handbell ringers to grow, learn, and promote the art of handbell ringing by providing a high quality musical experience for diverse audiences. These advanced ringers come from the extended Lansing area. They volunteer their time and talents and are committed to community service projects and concert performances in the Lansing area and beyond. Their fifteen to twenty concerts a year take them to many areas of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and even as far as Disney World, Florida, in the summer of 1991. They also have been the featured group for the opening concert of two AGEHR Area V Festival Conferences. The Capital City Ringers are known for their musical expression and dynamic interpretation of the music they play. Their goals are achieved through participating in festival conferences, workshops, tours, recordings, and other performance opportunities.
The Capital City Ringers have performed for a variety of local and civic events in the Greater Lansing Area and beyond, such as, Silver Bells in the City, East Lansing Winterbowl and Chili Cook-off, East Lansing Arts Festival, Festival of the Trees, Tuba Bach Chamber Music Festival, and have performed with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, and the Mason Symphony Orchestra. CCR has also been featured on several concert series and programs, including Handbell Podcast and the Dr. Christmas radio show.
Community service performances at retirement centers in the Greater Lansing area have been made possible by grants from the Arts Council of Greater Lansing and the Mi
chigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. CCR acknowledges these organizations for their support. The Capital City Ringers maintain membership in both of these organizations.
The group owns and performs on a full 6 octave set of Malmark English handbells, including a C2, a C9, several duplicate bells, a 6 octave set of Malmark Choirchimes©, and a variety of auxiliary percussion instruments. CCR will often be accompanied by other instruments, such as drums, bass guitar, keyboard, clarinet, flute, tuba, euphonium, cello, or even a synthesizer.
The Capital City Ringers has a composition that was written especially for them, Réunir, by Dr. William A. Payn, which was commissioned by Lorraine Finison in 1991. This hauntingly beautiful piece displays a multitude of colorful emotions exemplifying the group's musical interpretation and expression. We are proud to mention that Réunir has been selected as a bronze piece for both Eastern and Western AGEHR National Festival Conferences, several area festival conferences, local festivals and conferences, and most recently, the 9th International Handbell Symposium held in Birmingham, England in August of 2000. This is truly a dynamic composition that has international appeal and is known the world over. We are very proud of the success of this piece! Thank you Dr. Payn!
Acknowledgements
CCR would also like to acknowledge and thank Mt. Hope United Methodist Church in Lansing for graciously providing rehearsal space for the group. Additionally, we thank all of you who support CCR and make it possible for us to bring the unique sound of handbells to the local Lansing area community and beyond.
The Capital City Ringers would love to play for your event: weddings, concerts, civic events, corporate functions, special celebrations, etc.
Come join us! We currently rehearse on Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at Mt. Hope UMC in Lansing, MI. Click here for a map and directions. Our rehearsals are open, so come visit, watch, and listen, or pick up a bell and ring with us!
Audition for CCR! Maybe you would like to audition to be a Capital City Ringer, or perhaps a sub? We are seeking experienced, committed ringers who are looking for a challenging outlet for advanced handbell opportunities while having fun. We currently have two terms per calendar year; Fall and Winter/Spring. Auditions are generally held in August each year, however, from time to time, we have openings in January. If this sounds like your calling, E-mail us or call director Jane C. Wright for audition information.
E-mail us at info@capitalcityringers.com for booking information, inquiries about the group, audition information, comments, or just to say "Hi!" Or see our 'Contact Us' page for more ways to reach CCR.
Meet The Capital City Ringers. . . Fall 2009 Season
"I don't know him but his face sure rings a bell..." - Click on a ringer's face to jump to their bio.
Meet the Director. . .
Jane C. Wright - a.k.a. Ma Bell, founded the Capital City Community Ringers in 1984 when she discovered a need for advanced ringers and directors to ring more frequently and to ring more challenging and varied music than what their church handbell choirs could offer. Jane is the Director of Worship and Fine Arts at Westwood United Methodist Church in Kalamazoo. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Choral Conducting degree from Michigan State University. Jane has been in the stream of music education and conducting since 1973 and has taught public and private music education, band, choir, and handbells. She served as Director of Music Ministries at Mt. Hope UMC for 19 years. Jane founded the Lansing Area Ministry of Bells (LAMB), which promotes the art of handbell ringing through local festivals and workshops. She is a clinician for early conductors and handbell ringers and serves presently as a guest choral conductor around the Lansing area. Jane has had the privilege of serving 4 years as Secretary on the Area V Board of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, and has been a clinician for various handbell events, all of which have given her the opportunity to get to know a lot of "great people."
Jane says, "Handbell ringing in America today is a very exciting medium in which to perform, and has gone beyond justifying or comparing itself with choral and instrumental ensembles. Handbells can be as musical and as expressive as we make them and the process can be delightful, especially if one enjoys the hard work it takes to strive for musical perfection. The sound is both beautiful and unique and there is great joy in the journey!"
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Meet the Ringers. . .
Ros Butler - a.k.a. You Rang? - Bio coming soon. Ros returns to CCR after taking a couple years off..
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Corlie Eldred - a.k.a. Bell Amie. Corlie comes to us from Williamston, MI, where she has been involved in music ministry at Williamston United Methodist Church for over 30 years, and currently serves as organist, and director of the handbell choir, "Joyful Noise". Other musical activities include teaching piano and accompanying students at area festivals and recitals. Having raised three sons, Corlie and her husband Keith now enjoy any chance they get to spend time with their two grandsons. They also enjoy traveling to places near and far, and weekends often find them competing in dog shows and agility trials with their two setters. On nice days, Corlie's favorite things to do are walking with her human or canine buddies, or working in her flower gardens.
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Eileen Ellis - a.k.a. Chiming In, has just joined CCR in September 2008. Eileen has served 14 years as treasurer of CCR's sister organization, the Lansing Area Ministry of Bells, and has directed handbell choirs at South Church for over 30 years, in addition to being one of two organists. Eileen is a health care consultant with Health Management Associates, specializing in health care reimbursement and delivery systems. She and her husband, Jim, have one grown daughter, Shelley, who is the Associate Director of Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of New Hampshire. Jim retired from the State of Michigan and went to seminary, majoring in Old Testament. He graduated in 2001, and is now teaching for short periods overseas. Eileen travels with him when she can.
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Lindsay Finison Daley - a.k.a. Bell Diva. Lindsay, joining CCR fall of 2004, says, "I grew up watching my dad (Kim Finison) ring with the Capital City Ringers. It is a great honor to now be ringing with the group that I grew up with and admired." Lindsay has been ringing bells since she was in the 3rd grade and now rings with the adult handbell choir at Mayflower Congregational Church, where she earned her bell nickname. Along with bells, Lindsay started piano lessons in the 3rd grade. Later, in band, she played baritone, clarinet, French horn, and trombone (jazz band). As you can tell, music is a huge part of her life.
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Andrea Palomba (Finison) - a.k.a. Bellerina. Andrea joined CCR in the fall of 2006. She is a 2005 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School, where she played the baritone, drums, and her pride and joy clarinet (her baby) in band. She is currently an LCC student. Handbell ringing runs in the family; her older brother Kris is a CCR alumnus, her older sister Lindsay Daley is a current CCR member, and her father Kim and stepmother Lorraine are long-time CCR members. Andrea learned to ring when she was 9 and rang with her family at Mayflower Congregational Church for summer special music. She now rings in the Mayflower Ringers with Kim and Lorraine. Andrea studied ballet for 13 years at Island Dance Center in Eaton Rapids, hence the nickname 'Bellerina'. As you can tell, music is a big part of her life and in addition to playing musical instruments, Andrea has sung in many choirs starting in kindergarten all the way to an auditioned women's chorale at Grand Valley State University. She also is involved in Eaton Rapids WYLdLife, which is the middle school ministry of Young Life. Andrea says, "I am proud and honored to ring with CCR and to follow the 'Finison Family Tradition'".
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* Kim Finison - a.k.a. Dr. Bell, primarily rings bass bells and bass chimes, but often plays a variety of percussion instruments, bass guitar or keyboard as well. Kim joined CCR in 1989. He currently serves as the web master for CCR and in his spare time (what ever that is!) enjoys computers, photography, playing trumpet in the Mason Orchestra, and working on sick handbells and bringing them back to health (hence the nickname). His license plate says: DR BELL, so if you see it on the road, wave as you go by. Kim served as President of the Lansing Area Ministry of Bells in 1994 and has been a clinician (bell maintenance and bass bell techniques) at various handbell events. Kim has just recently retired from General Motors after 30 years of service and plans to focus on his photography business (no pun intended) and play golf as much as possible. He is married to Lorraine Finison, whom he met in CCR, and father to CCR ringers Lindsay Daley and Andrea Finison. In July 2001 Kim and Lorraine visited the Malmark factory in Plumsteadville, PA and were given a comprehensive tour by former Malmark vice-president, Willard Markey. Before leaving, Kim got to ring the G-0 and A-0 bells - (yes, that's G and A-ZERO) - the largest playable handbells in the world.
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* Lorraine Finison - a.k.a. the Bell Goddess. Lorraine is the Secretary/Treasurer for CCR and is the senior ringer, having just started her 21st year with the ensemble. An accomplished 4IH (and 6IH) ringer, she has been with CCR since 1988. Lorraine serves as District Leader for the AGEHR Area V Michigan District 1 and is on the board of the Lansing Area Ministry of Bells, where she has been Secretary for 15 years. She has also been a clinician at various handbell events. Lorraine works for the State of Michigan, Bureau of Regulatory Services as a Department Specialist (whatever that is!) and has a BS degree in Criminal Justice from Grand Valley State University and Masters degree in Corrections Administration from Michigan State University. Lorraine is married to Kim Finison, and is stepmother to Lindsay Daley Finison and Andrea Palomba Finison.
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David Hafey - a.k.a. Sergeant Bellko. Dave began ringing handbells in 1987 at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. In 1995 Dave moved to Laingsburg, Michigan and helped found the First Congregational Church's Covenant Ringers handbell choir. Now, Dave is the director of the handbell choir and the Chancel Choir. Dave also is a member of the Laingsburg Community Singers. Dave was in the U.S. Air Force for over 22 years as an Air Traffic Control manager and currently working as the network systems specialist for the Michigan Catholic Conference in Lansing.
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* Nancy K. - a.k.a. Decibelle. The daughter of a professional soprano and a quasi-singing microbiologist, Nancy inherited the “ham” gene and has spent her life performing music, specifically piano, voice and handbells (though not all at once!) Nancy attended Michigan State University and was a member of the Women’s Glee Club and the Spartan Handbell Choir for several semesters. She graduated in 2002 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and currently works as a project manager in Lansing. Nancy has performed with CCR at several AGEHR Area Festivals, and in 2007 she joined ringers from across the country for Distinctly Bronze, a massed ringing event for advanced ringers. She really enjoyed the challenge! When not involved in music, Nancy enjoys reading, Red Wings hockey, horseback riding and “very amateur” photography.
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Lois Krieger, a.k.a. Dead Ringer, has been a member of CCR since 1992, taking off a few terms occasionally over the years. Lois retired from the State of MI in 2009 after 37 years of service. Lois and husbband, Dan, have two
daughters, Danielle and Kelly. Kelly is married to Nick, who are the proud parents of Baileigh and Ashton. Danielle has a degree in Interior Design and works in Grand Rapids. In her spare time, Lois enjoys watching her granddaughters, reading, doing Sudoku puzzles, traveling and, of course, ringing handbells.
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Gary Masters - a.k.a. Snowbell, loves winter and is a certified ski instructor who has been teaching downhill skiing for over 30 years. Gary enjoys working with kids and has coached soccer, softball and directed the children's chime choir at Grace UMC. Gary currently directs the adult handbell choir at Grace and has convinced his lovely bride of 36 years, Jill, to become a ding-a-ling with the group. Gary and Jill have three kids, Chris, a CPA in the Detroit area, Jeff, pharmaceuticals rep and lives inYpsilanti with his wife Kristy, and Laura, the songbird of the family. Laura is a former member of the Young Americans, and after earning a degree in History at GVSU, is currently serving in the Peace Corps stationed in Macedonia. Gary says, "Any talent I may have comes directly from her." Gary has been a member of CCR since January of 1998.
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Susan Speers - a.k.a. Belly Button, Susan joined CCR in the fall of 2001 and has been ringing handbells for 7 years at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lansing. Before getting hooked on handbells, Susan played flute and piano. Her 2 daughters also enjoy music; Nicole plays clarinet and Emily plays trumpet. With degrees from Central Michigan University (Elementary Education) and Michigan State University (Educational Psychology), Susan spends her days working at the CEI Community Mental Health Board with adults with developmental disabilities in recreational, educational, volunteer, and work placement situations.
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Stu Talsma - Joined CCR in August 2009. Bio coming soon.
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Jessi Wortley - a.k.a. Tinkerbell. Don’t let her small stature fool you... what she lacks in size she makes up for in energy and determination. Jessi has been playing handbells since age 13 at Grand Ledge First United Methodist Church and joined CCR in January 2007. After the group discovered that she’s also a percussionist, Jessi started splitting her time during performances between ringing and “making stuff up” on accompanying auxiliary instruments. A graduate of Grand Ledge High School and Ferris State University (Go Dawgs!), she now earns her paycheck as communications director for a senator at the state Capitol. When she’s not working or ringing, you can find Jessi volunteering for Relay for Life, or “going Jeepin’” in her bright yellow Wrangler. Also an avid Disney fan, she's appropriately named her cats Tinkerbell and Wendy.
* Denotes section leaders: Kim - bass, Lorraine - treble, Nancy - Battery
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CCR Alumni...
* Scott Beck is taking a term off due to conflicts with class schedule and hopes to be back.
* Tricia Hartman is moving to Arizona.
| Kendra Anspaugh Mark Babb Scott Beck Wanda Beers Lisa Biasi Nancy Bieber Deidra Brown Norma Byers Sue Casler Karla Chamberlain Peg Cheney Elizabeth Clark Nancy Dawson Clark Sue Clemence Gertrude Curtis Charles Daley Sheryl Ebaugh Connie Engle Kris Finison Judy Forester Helen Foster |
Chuck Gendrich Gary Gregory Sherry Gregory Tricia Hartman Jan Heath Cheryl Hill Joe Hill Jan Keen Benjamin Knapp Laura Knudson Rev. Kathy Kursch Diane Lanning ChrisAnn Lowe Barbara Marley Deb Nickels Cheryl Niznak Rebecca Nordhoff Gina Patton Bradley Poreda Adam Reemts Charlotte Reemts |
Christine Reist Tammi Rockey JoAnn Russell Dianne Smith Laura Sparks Jean Ann Stacey Kathryn Stahle Becky Stoner Jodi Johns Sullivant Kay Tanner Wendy Tate Nadette Waligora Paulanne Webb Katie Wharton Adrene Wilford Carrie Woods Kathleen Wright Sharon Yohn Cricket Young |
Audition for CCR! Maybe you would like to audition to be a Capital City Ringer, or perhaps a sub? If this sounds like your calling, E-mail us or call director Jane C. Wright for audition information.
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