Winter Concert

Event information

A concert to celebrate the 10th birthday of Minerva Women’s Acappella Chorus and the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Dronfield Handbell Ringers.

DRONFIELD HANDBELL RINGERS was founded in 1975 by Vic Cox, who discovered 25 handbells in the ringing chamber of Dronfield Church and had them restored to playing condition. Vic is still our Musical Director and also Captain of Dronfield tower bell ringers. Our bells were cast in the early 1900s by Shaw of Bradford, founders noted for the mellow tone of their bells. These old bells have developed a patina, which we have been careful to retain and which we feel has further mellowed their tone. Further bells have been added to take our full range up to two and a half octaves. The bells were sent to Whitechapel last year for refurbishment and to have new handles and clappers fitted.
Back in 1975 music for handbell groups was not very extensive, so from the start we have produced our own arrangements, to suit our own style, of a wide variety of music from medieval, through renaissance, baroque and classical to jazz and swing. For this anniversary concert we have included at least one piece of music from every decade of our existence, including a piece composed by Vic for a music competition in 1992 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain, of which the team is a member.
Over the 50 years we have played in numerous venues, including church halls, nursing homes, Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, Crich Tramway Museum, the Free Trade Hall, Fountains Abbey; and for many different organisations. Several of us attend the annual weekend National Rally organised by HRGB, and one team member has attended a couple of International Symposia with around a thousand handbell ringers from all over the world. Our region holds local rallies on a regular basis and we often attend and host these events.
If you would like to ‘have a go’ at ringing handbells, please speak to one of the team. We are always looking out for new ringers to join the group, and all that is needed is the ability to read music, a commitment to playing and a good sense of humour!

MINERVA named after the Roman Goddess of wisdom, music, and the arts, began in 2015, and has established a varied repertoire of unaccompanied songs which demonstrate well-blended harmony. The chorus like to share their love of singing together by performing for others and helping to raise funds for local causes