by John Bear
Daily Lobo
Enchantment, the Albuquerque Handbell Ensemble, keeps heads ringing.
The group plays English handbells, which according to instructor Gail Downey, originated in 16th century England as a way for bell tower ringers to practice without driving the neighbors crazy.
The handbells were developed so the bell ringers could gather in the pubs and practice for Sunday morning.
There are 13 people in the group with about 70 bells. Each person plays one note on the scale. They also plays hand chimes.
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Enchantment practices at United Methodist Church on University Boulevard but is not a religious organization.
"Most of your groups in the country are church-related," she said. "But the community group concept is growing."
Downey said it is a community group that plays mostly secular and popular music with an occasional religious tune.
She said community handbell groups gather at a national event called Pinnacle every few years to play together.
Downey taught the bells at Manzano High School for many years, and some of her former students are members of Enchantment.
She said people who participate must be committed, because if someone fails to show up, some of the bells will not be rung.
"We have people from all walks of life," she said. "We have engineers, homemakers and teachers."
Members range considerably in age.
Downey said there are professional groups around the country. They play a varying range of musical styles ranging from jazz to rock 'n' roll.
"There's a group back east, Raleigh Ringers," she said.
She said they perform songs from artists such as Led Zeppelin.
Enchantment will participate in the State Handbell Festival and Convocation Festival this weekend.
"We're expecting over 130 bell ringers at the festival on Saturday," said Linda Maloney, chairwoman of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
Participants will come from New Mexico, Texas and Arizona. According to its press release, the society has approximately 9,100 members nationally.
She said David Davidson, conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, will direct the handbell ringers.
She said the performance is as much about seeing the show as it is about the music.
"Handbell ringing, when you look at it, is 50 percent visual because of all the motion and coordination of the ringers."
Downey said most people will enjoy a handbell ringing performance, bad images of clanging bells notwithstanding.
"You think, 'Oh gosh, 140 bells and my head will split,'" she said. "But the sound doesn't get louder. It gets thicker. It gets fuller, richer."
