New Video: Sleigh Ride

If you weren't able to come to our concert series last December, here's a chance to see a small part! Presenting Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride," performed Wheaton College on December 11, 2010.

Chicago Bronze Home Alone

Tonight's concert on Wilmette is at the church used in the movie "Home Alone," at least the exterior.

West Indies Carol, via Pittsburgh

When you come to our upcoming concert, you'll hear Hart Morris' fun arrangement of "West Indies Carol." Its upbeat rhythm with staccato sounds will make you ready to start celebrating the holiday immediately.

However, the tune was brought into wide distribution by an American composer who grew up in Pittsburgh, the imcomparable Jester Hairston.

Amongst many other musical and artistic accomplishments, Jester Hairston arranged negro spirituals and gave them new exposure. One such song was probably the inspiration for "Mary's Boy Child" in 1956. Recorded by Harry Belafonte, it reached #1 on the UK charts in 1957.


To demonstrate the diversity of style that the song has enjoyed through the years, it's worth watching the 1978 version by disco artists Boney M., which brought the song to the #1 spot a second time in the UK.


The song appeared in 1983 on a sheet of postage stamps issued by the Carribean island of St. Kits, recognizing the origin of, or at least the inspiration for, this truly North American Christmas carol.

Concert: December 11 in Wheaton

Chicago Bronze cordially invites you to our holiday concert, on the campus of Wheaton College.

Saturday, December 11, at 7pm
Barrows Auditorium
501 College Av.
Wheaton, IL 60187

An evening of handbell music celebrating the Christmas season and other favorites.
Tickets available at the door.
For legal purposes we must note: This is not a function of Wheaton College.

New Group Photo!

With our concert season coming up soon, it's time to get everyone to sit for the latest group photo. Learn more about all the members of Chicago Bronze on our website!

Betty Garee

This December our concert will include Stille Nacht (Silent Night) by Betty Garee.

Betty Garee was one of the first modern handbell composers, and her works are still considered some of the finest examples of handbell music at its best.

According to the Chorister's Guild, her music "demonstrates Betty Garee's understanding of the handbell idiom and the writing genius which made her one of our foremost handbell composers"

Born in 1927, she first encountered handbells in 1971 in Wappingers Falls, New York.

"In the fifteen years that followed, she brought handbell performance to new levels at local and national festivals. As a clinician, her warmth inspired new directors and ringers alike. Her original compositions and creative transcriptions for handbells showed a style that was far ahead of her time. She travelled widely, sharing her music and passion for handbells, touching many lives both in and out of handbell circles. Betty Garee passed away in 1986. "

-- AGEHR Area II, describing the Betty Garee Scholarship Program

We are pleased to present Mrs. Garee's Stille Nacht this year, and we hope you will have the chance to come appreciate it for yourself.

Member Profile: Catherine Ciway

Catherine Ciway from Roselle IL, has been playing handbells since 5th grade. She is a recent graduate from Concordia University Wisconsin with a degree in both Public Relations and Business Communications. Catherine rang previously with the Alleluia Ringers, Concordia's touring handbell choir, under the direction of Dr. John Behnke. In her spare time she enjoys singing, reading and being with her family.