Alumni Ensemble (1980 - 2004)



The University of Colorado Alumni Handbell Ensemble was formed in 1980 by alumni of the CU Handbell Ensemble who as undergraduates had enjoyed ringing and wanted to continue performing. They invited their director (composer and professor Everett Jay Hilty ) to lead the new group, a post he held until his retirement in 1989. The ensemble quickly developed a reputation for musical leadership and innovation. A unique bell assignment system known as "equal distribution" was pioneered by Everett Hilty and Karen Pfiffner. The ensemble was frequently featured as guest choir at workshops and festivals. Highlights of the ensemble's history include performances at the International Festival in Toronto, a featured guest choir concert at the Handbell Exploration in Phoenix, a performance at a Walt Disney sponsored benefit for the Denver Boys Club, and attendance at the 1982 National Directors' Convention.

From 1989 to 2004, under the direction of Karen Pfiffner , the Alumni Ensemble continued to perform a wide variety of some of the most technically and musically challenging original works and arrangements including popular, classical, and secular as well as sacred pieces. Besides ringing, members were encouraged to occasionally direct the group as well as write their own arrangements and original compositions for performance.

The Alumni Ensemble was not as closely tied to the University of Colorado as was the original University Ensemble and therefore existed autonomously as a "community" choir with elected officers and an internally drawn-up set of bylaws. Over time the ensemble operated with fewer and fewer direct ties to the university. Today, the group is based out of Wheatridge, Colorado and continues under the name of the High Plains Ringers

.... Hardware:
5-1/2 octaves of Whitechapels (The original four-octave set was purchased in 1963)
3 octaves of Petit & Fritsen "Dutch" bells
5 octaves of Malmark handchimes (4th/5th octaves courtesy of Tom Lance. Thank you, Tom)