Ingrid Bowers, Chair

            Ringers in the D.C. area have been busy during the last few months.  I am sharing some of the many concerts groups have performed, a tip of the iceberg, so to speak.

            The Joyful Ringers from The Falls Church Episcopal and JuBELLation from McLean Bible Church joined together on June 7th at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of The Falls Church Episcopal to present "Catch A Brass Ring II".  It was the fifth annual joint concert of these two English Handbell choirs. The Belmont Brass Quintet and the Belltree Handbell Duo also participated.  The program featured varied works for bells and chimes, and closed with a call for world peace, featuring Michael Helman's new Prayer for Peace and Kevin McChesney's Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace with brass, bells, flutes, organ and tympani.

ST. MARY'S NAREK BELL CHOIR

AT THE WHITE HOUSE

            Easter celebrations at the Nation's Capital registered another historic first for the Armenian  community this year.  On Monday, April 21, by the  invitation of the White House and the Armenian Embassy, the Narek Bell Choir participated in the White House tradition of "Easter Egg Roll" and provided musical program.  It was memorable and proud moment for the ten teenage musicians to provide a taste of  Armenian culture to an international audience.

            The White House Easter Egg Roll has a 125-year- old tradition that started with President Rutherford B. Hayes. It is an occasion to gather children from diverse ethnic, cultural and national origins. They are entertained by invited celebrities.

            Representing Armenian tradition were displays of arts and crafts.  The performance of the Narek Bell Choir was the center of attraction and admiration. The choir  performed Easter Sharagan Kovya Yerousaghem by Makar Yekmalian, Easter Dance by Dr. Socrates           Boyajian, who dedicated it to Narek, three American spirituals and America the Beautiful.

            St. Mary's Narek Bell Choir was founded three years ago by accomplished master percussionist Mr. Leon Khoja-Eynatyan.  Congratulations to the director and the members of the Narek Bell Choir of St. Mary.

                                        On July 14, the Peace Ringers from St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Annandale,  Virginia, performed the opening concert at the 2003 Westminster Conference on Worship and Music  sponsored by the Presbyterian Association of Musicians in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.  The most exciting moment was the end of Stars and Stripes Forever when the audience set off over 200 poppers, making an incredible bang and filling the church with smoke.  The ringers were so impressed with the “pop” that they applauded the audience!