2019-2020 Participants and Members
Karen Baron
Ryan Carver
Marilyn Coppolino
Min Curtis
Alex Freer-Chilvers
Doroth Galvan
Sue Hankins
Sara Hoey
Cindy Kells
Barbara Lund
Karen Norby
Osy Nüesch
Keith Reilly
Donna Wittmann
Karen Baron
Why they joined the choir
- When I relocated from Northern New Jersey, I knew that my new church had to have a fun Handbell choir. I think it’s the best team sport ever, and just my luck—the Choral Bell Choir played the day that I visited PPPC! When Rev. Osy announced that there were openings in the bell choir, I was hooked! I went to rehearsal the very next day and became stand partners with Karen Norby, and the Karen stand is a great team!
The most challenging thing to learn
- My greatest challenge is page turning!!
Favorite anthem to ring
- One of my favorite pieces is the arrangement of “We Three Kings” in which you can practically see the camels clomping their way to Bethlehem.
Best memory from choir -
Morgan and the members of the Choral Bells are a very welcoming group, and are always willing to help one another to solve musical bell problems! Don’t be afraid to try ringing bells—how hard could ringing two bells be?!
Min Curtis
Why they joined the choir -
I joined the choir at Sara Hoey's invitation to try it out. I thought it would be great to learn something new.
The most challenging thing to learn -
Learning to read music, especially the counting.
Favorite anthem to ring -
I loved The Prayer.
Best memory from choir -
The members of the bell choir are all so talented, and each one has been encouraging beyond belief to me. Thank you all... Morgan, thanks for being SO patient with me. It's been a wonderful experience.
Sue Hankins
Why they joined the choir -
I love music but unfortunately sing like a frog. Bells allow me to be involved in a music program without having to sing.
The most challenging thing to learn -
It is the coordination and concentration involved. If you lose focus for one minute, you are lost and must depend on your neighbor to give you the measure number. Turning the pages is also a challenge.
Favorite anthem to ring -
We have rung many of my favorite hymns over the years. However, “Reverberations” is a favorite as is anything by Cynthia Dobrinski because of her flowing melodies and runs.
Best memory from choir -
One of my favorite memories is when we arrived at the Toms River Bell Festival to discover that their adult choir was playing the same piece we were. However, we played at a fast tempo and they played at a much slower pace. It was almost as if it were two different songs. After this, everyone had to submit their solo piece in advance.
Sara Hoey
Why they joined the choir –
I wanted to be with Bill of course!
The most challenging thing to learn –
Bill gave us a trilogy. We performed 2 out of 3 different services.
Favorite anthem to ring –
Come, Thou Font of Every Blessing
Best memory from choir –
Playing good all together and being proud of ourselves.
Cindy Kells
Why they joined the choir -
I have played music in some capacity since I was 5 years old, and I spent too many years after college being dormant. So, I joined to bring back the pleasure that music brings.
The most challenging thing to learn -
To master playing two bells at the same time.
Favorite anthem to ring -
"Bell Boogie" for sure. It is challenging and entertaining to say the least.
Best memory from choir -
Working under Bill Shoppell's direction.
Karen Norby
Why they joined the choir -
Sue Hankins knew that I could read music so she asked me to join the bell choir. I did eventually join the choir, the children's bell choir. I played between Ben Wilton and Liz DeRosa, I played F, F# and G and G#. To this day, I still play those same bells.
The most challenging thing to learn -
I think it is very challenging to play the bells softly. My trick is to squeeze the handle of the bell.
Favorite anthem to ring -
I have many favorites, "Reverberation" comes to mind.
Best memory from choir -
Playing in the children's choir with my children Kate and Jake.
Osy
Nüesch
Why they joined the choir
- I was intrigued by bell choirs back when I was a music director and intended to learn about them but that career ended when I became a pastor. I welcomed the opportunity to join our excellent choir as a 'ringer' and try all the different sizes.
The most challenging thing to learn -
I watch in awe how Cindy and Sue are able to hold and ring two bells in each hand. That proved to be an advanced skill for me. I passed and moved back to the lower bells.
Favorite anthem to ring -
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.
Best memory from choir -
I appreciated the way the choir helped me during a children's sermon to illustrate how everyone has a role to play in the church by playing "Happy Birthday" leaving different notes out.
Susan Reilly
Why they joined the choir -
Bill Shoppell was very persistent! Never regretted the decision.
The most challenging thing to learn -
Holding two bells in one hand – still can’t hold two in my left hand.
Favorite anthem to ring -
I don’t know that I have a favorite – well maybe Bell Bogie, that is a fun piece.
Best memory from choir -
I have a lot of good memories, but ringing with my grandson probably tops the list.
Morgan Sarbello
Why they joined the choir -
I was in high school and wanted to explore more outlets in music, and Bill recommended I join the bell choir.
The most challenging thing to learn -
I'd have to say conducting the choir.
Favorite anthem to ring -
So far my favorite anthem to conduct has been Carol of the Bells from this past Christmas. It's difficult for me to choose a favorite anthem to ring though, I love them all.
Best memory from choir -
One of my favorite memories was the first time the choir played in the Toms River bell festival when I was in high school. Another more recent favorite memory is the first time I conducted the choir for a Sunday service last year.