GEM Handbell Choir
Beautiful music had always been appreciated at the First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC) in Rhinelander, and for the past 50 years, the ringing of the handbell choir has been a favorite. Tom Winquist was there in the beginning when the brand-new set of bells arrived in the mid-1970s.
“Gladys Ekman had served for 40 years as church organist, and she received many gifts and money donations. She wanted to use it for the church, and decided to purchase two octaves of handbells,” Tom explained. Thus, began what is now called GEM for Gladys Ekman Memorial Handbell Choir.
Neither Tom nor Gladys had any experience in the beginning. “We set out to attend every workshop and seminar we heard of,” he recalled. “Handbells were just becoming popular, and we were the first in town to try it out.”
Now, GEM includes a dozen players at home in the choir loft at UCC. Recently, generous donations from the congregation made it possible to have the bells serviced, and they are sounding and looking better than ever. GEM rehearses weekly and performs about once a month for Sunday services held at 10 am. They can also be heard on the church Facebook page.
New players are always welcome to join and need not be church members. Anyone interested is invited to call the church office at 715-365-1535 and leave a message for someone from the choir to get in touch.
An excerpt from an article written by Sue Schneider