Concert of ringing set June 7 in Salisbury

The handbell ensembles of Wicomico Presbyterian Church and Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury, Md., will perform a concert of ringing at 4 p.m., Sunday, June 7, at the Langeler Memorial Building, 225 N. Division St. Admission is free. A free-will offering will be shared between the two music ministries.

The eclectic program of sacred and secular music includes more than 120 bells and chimes. Selections range from “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” and “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder” to music from "The Phantom of the Opera."

For several years both churches have participated in the Handbell Musicians of America Festival in Ocean City, Md., with more than 500 other bell players.

The Wicomico Presbyterian Church handbell director is Susan Zimmer. In addition to her role as director of music for the church, she is also adjunct faculty at Salisbury University and the dean of the Salisbury chapter of the American Guild of Organists. She holds a master of music degree from Yale University School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music, a master of music education from Boston University, and a bachelor of music from Texas Tech University.

Bruce Horner leads Grace Notes Bells at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where he too is music director. He is a graduate of Peabody Conservatory and Indiana University, Bloomington. He is completing the editing of his doctoral dissertation, “A History of the United States Naval Academy Band” for Syracuse University. Retired coordinator of music for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, he was recently elected dean of the Southern Delaware chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

For more information call Horner at 443-417-0240 or email intunerbh@gmail.com.