PORT TOWNSEND — The Townsend Bay Ringers will return at 7 p.m. today for their fourth appearance in the Trinity United Methodist Church Candlelight Series as they perform “Ringin’ in the Rain.”
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. at the church at 609 Taylor St.
Admission will be a suggested $10 donation. Children will be admitted free. Proceeds will benefit Port Townsend organizations and Trinity’s music and historic Victorian restoration program.
Refreshments will be served following the performance.
The 10 local musicians will shower listeners with a variety of tunes in a water-based theme, organizers said.
The concert will offer many musical styles and include the pairing of handbells with saxophonist Al Thompson.
A selection from Handel’s “Water Music” will lead into the second half of the program, which will include familiar selections from movies that evoke images of water.
The music for Gene Kelly’s famous dance scene from “Singin’ in the Rain” will be performed on handbells.
Disney fans will enjoy hearing “Under the Sea” from “The Little Mermaid” and Kermit the Frog of “Muppet Movie” fame will have his say while safely perched on top of a lily pad contemplating “The Rainbow Connection.”
The group’s “wetland adventure” will come to a rousing conclusion with the spiritual “Wade in the Water.”
The ensemble — which provides outreach into the community through concerts, performances at local churches and retirement homes — comes from diverse backgrounds that include boatbuilding, telecommunications, teaching, acting and textile design.
Prior to moving to Port Townsend, director Judy Schussler was director of music for 30 years at First Presbyterian Church in Yakima, where she directed two handbell choirs. Now, she is also choir director at Trinity United Methodist Church in Port Townsend.
For more information, call 360-774-1644 or email rdanpurnell@msn.com.
Carol Jones Townsend Bay Ringers are, front row from left, Leslie Lewis, Linda York, Diane Thompson, Terry Reitz and Carol Jones; and back row from left, Judy Schussler (director), Marj Iuro, Christine Jacobson, Molly Harlich, Richard McGuffin and Pat Hartman.
