Though the ceremonial ringing of bells has been a feature of Christian celebration and worship for centuries, it is only in the past 70 years that handbell ensembles have become a popular musical expression in church services. The St. Paul Episcopal Church in Lee’s Summit is celebrating 40 years of handbells in worship this year, having begun the program in 1984.
Under the leadership of Handbell Director Amy Chinnery-Valmassei since 2005, the St. Paul Ringers have become one of the most visible handbell groups in the Lee’s Summit area through their annual performances at the Lee’s Summit Ministerial Alliance Thanksgiving Service, the annual Memorial Day Service at Lake Lotowana, and the Christmas season Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens. The 2024 performance at the Festival of Lights by the St. Paul Ringers in November was attended by a capacity audience.
On Wednesday night, December 18, at 7:00 p.m., in the nave of the St. Paul’s Church at 416 SE Grand Avenue in Lee’s Summit, MO, Amy Chinnery-Valmassei and the St. Paul Ringers will present a full concert called “Night of Stars” that will feature very well known sacred Christmas selections and other beautiful, but lesser known works. The arrangements are by some of today’s leading composers of handbell music, including Tammy Waldrop, Linda Lamb, Jeffrey Hall and others. Favorite carols include Angels We Have Heard On High, Away in a Manger, The Holly and the Ivy, and The Little Drummer Boy.
The performance is free and the public is invited. A Wine and Cookie Reception will follow the concert, presented by the Friends of St. Paul’s Music.
Amy Chinnery-Valmassei was a member of the handbell choir at St. Paul’s Church in her youth, engendering a life-long love for the art of handbell music. After a time of living in the Detroit area and ringing with the handbell ensemble of the St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church in Rochester, Michigan, Amy returned to Lee’s Summit and was appointed Handbell Director at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in 2005. In 2019 she was appointed to membership in the elite community ensemble, Kansas City Bronze. In 2024 she became a member of the staff of the William Baker Choral Foundation and was appointed director of the organization’s Summer Ringers Academy.
The St. Paul Ringers is an ensemble of the Music Ministry of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Lee’s Summit, one of the most active church music programs in the region. The three choirs at St. Paul’s, The St. Paul Choir, St. Paul A Cappella, and The St. Paul Men’s Choir, present a busy schedule of outreach concerts and services throughout the year.
For additional information, contact the church office at 816-524-3651.
