Alleluia Ringers - CUW

The Alleluia Ringers, Concordia's touring handbell ensemble, features 14 undergraduate students ringing 6 octaves and 6 1/2 octaves of handchimes. The advanced handbell ensemble is chosen by audition each fall. In addition to performing throughout the United States, The Alleluia Ringers has made 3 tours of Germany, 3 tours of Norway, once to Latvia, and performed twice at national events of The A

merican Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR). The Alleluia Ringers has appeared seven times with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. This began in December of 1992 when the bell choir performed with the Symphony and noted performers Mel Torm and Maureen McGovern under the direction of Doc Severinsen in a program entitled The Christmas Songs. This program was aired nationally on PBS member stations. The Ringers participated with the Symphony and Symphony Chorus again in December of 1999, 2001 and 2006 under the direction of Doc Severinsen, and in 2007 under the baton of Bill Conti and most recently in 2010 and 2011 with Jeff Tyzik. The group's director is CUW graduate school alumnus and Music Department faculty member Professor Mark Bloedow. Professor Emeritus Dr. John Behnke founded and conducted the group for many years before retiring from CUW.