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The Group

The Austin Handbell Ensemble is an auditioned non-profit community ensemble dedicated to excellence in ringing and to promoting musical education at all levels. The ensemble was founded in 1995 by Austin area directors and ringers and is directed by Bob Avant and Linda Rutherford.

The Instruments and Music

Our fifteen member choir plays on five octaves of Schulmerich handbells and five and a half octaves of Malmark handchimes. Each ringer uses one or both of these instruments to play designated notes wherever they appear throughout a piece. Only through tremendous coordination can these individual slivers of sound be combined into a smooth and pleasing musical experience.

The music AHE plays ranges from classic transcriptions and arrangements to brand-new original compositions reflecting the ever-broadening range of techniques available for handbells. Always, we aim to challenge ourselves both technically and musically. We also perform arrangements by our own members, and we love to incorporate other instruments, from trumpets to saxophones to drums.

 

Contact information

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