Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Ballet

 

 

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

The Westminster Concert Bell Choir is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with its unique sound for over 35 years. Founded in 1980 by Kathleen Ebling Shaw, the ensemble is based at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and is comprised of undergraduate and graduate students who are selected through a rigorous audition process. The ensemble's signature sound is created by its use of handbells, which are played by the members of the choir. The handbells are a unique instrument that requires a high level of skill and precision to play effectively. The Westminster Concert Bell Choir has become known for its ability to create a wide range of sounds and textures using the handbells, from delicate and ethereal to powerful and majestic. Over the years, the Westminster Concert Bell Choir has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House. The ensemble has also been featured on numerous television and radio programs, including NBC's Today Show and NPR's Performance Today. One of the highlights of the Westminster Concert Bell Choir's career was its performance at the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. The ensemble was invited to perform at the Inaugural Prayer Service, which was held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The choir's performance was widely praised for its beauty and elegance, and it helped to bring the handbell choir to a wider audience. In addition to its performances, the Westminster Concert Bell Choir has also received numerous awards and accolades over the years. The ensemble has won several international handbell competitions, including the International Handbell Symposium in 1994 and the International Handbell Festival in 2002. The choir has also been recognized for its recordings, which have received critical acclaim and have been featured on several "best of" lists. The Westminster Concert Bell Choir's success can be attributed to its talented members and its visionary founder, Kathleen Ebling Shaw. Shaw was a pioneer in the field of handbell music, and she was instrumental in developing the techniques and repertoire that are used by the Westminster Concert Bell Choir today. Her legacy lives on through the ensemble, which continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with handbells. Today, the Westminster Concert Bell Choir is led by conductor and artistic director Kathleen Ebling Shaw, who took over the ensemble after the retirement of its founder in 2016. Under Shaw's leadership, the choir continues to innovate and explore new possibilities in handbell music. The ensemble's members are drawn from the talented pool of students at Westminster Choir College, and they bring a high level of skill and dedication to their performances. In conclusion, the Westminster Concert Bell Choir is a unique and innovative classical music ensemble that has captivated audiences around the world with its beautiful and intricate sound. Founded by Kathleen Ebling Shaw in 1980, the ensemble has become known for its use of handbells and its ability to create a wide range of sounds and textures. Over the years, the choir has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world and has received numerous awards and accolades for its recordings and performances.

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