Founded in 1998 by their director/composer, Paul W. Allen, RiverBells is a professional-quality,

community English handbell ensemble sponsored in part by the Elk Grove Unified School District, and

located in the south Sacramento area.  RiverBells consists of fifteen ringers, several of whom are

directors of other handbell ensembles.  The group performs with six octaves of Schulmerich handbells and

six octaves of Malmark choir chimes.

RiverBells is an exceptional group of advanced musicians performing a widely varied selection of difficult

music.  Many of the ringers are experienced in small ensemble work, and there are also several

accomplished solo ringers.  In addition, many RiverBells members are proficient on other musical

instruments and are often called upon for selections requiring accompaniment.

RiverBells was incorporated as a nonprofit California corporation in 2003 and is recognized as a

charitable, educational organization.  Their primary objectives and purposes include:

1)  Providing instruction in English handbell and handchime techniques;

2)  Providing instruction in performance expectations as they relate to the presentation of English

handbells and handchimes before live audiences;

3)  Providing public performances in English handbell and handchime ringing;

4)  Sponsoring special events involving the education, exploration and performance of established and

emerging ringing techniques by Sacramento area ringers, handbell choirs, ensembles and soloists.

In accordance with their corporate goals and objectives, RiverBells sponsors workshops and clinics to

help other handbell ensembles and individual ringers develop their skills and techniques.  RiverBells

has hosted well-received workshops featuring Valerie Stephenson and Tim Waugh, both nationally

recognized handbell clinicians, conductors, and composers.

Additionally, RiverBells personnel offer their services to individual handbell groups in northern California

for customized workshops and training sessions.  These workshops can be specifically designed to meet

clients’ goals to bring enhanced confidence and "musicality" to their performances and fees are

negotiable.

If you would like to discuss the possibility of scheduling an individual

workshop for your group, please contact either Susan Coddington-Allen,

RiverBells’ Personnel Manager, at susan@riverbells.org or at 916-428-9719.

The group's focus includes performances of both original music written specifically for the English handbell

and arrangements for the English handbell covering many different musical genres.  For the past four

years, RiverBells has been specifically developing their repertoire of swing and big band compositions

from the 1930's and 1940's.  The concert season typically runs from September through June.

If this sounds like a musical program which might appeal to you for an

upcoming event, or if you are interested in learning to ring, please contact

September Hope, RiverBells' Concert Liaison, at september@riverbells.org

If you are a ringer, and this sounds like the type of ensemble for which

you would like to audition, or if you would just like to visit one of our

rehearsals, please contact Susan Coddington-Allen, RiverBells'

Personnel Manager at susan@riverbells.org

Music:  Moonlight Serenade

Glenn Miller & Mitchell Parrish (1939)

arr. Paul W. Allen (2002)