High Plains Ringers

The High Plains Ringers traces its roots back to 1963 when the College of Music at the University of Colorado purchased 4 octaves of Whitechapels for about $1000 and promptly stuffed them in the catacombs of the Music Department and and forgot about them. Several years later (~1968) Professor Everett Hilty, the organ program director then, discovered these gems and organized some of his students to figure out how "to run these things". Hence, the formation of the CU Handbell Ensemble The ensemble was a pioneer in the world of modern handbells with the composition of many original pieces by Professor Hilty. The CU Handbell Ensemble continued for 30 years under the direction of Professor Hilty (and later, Karen Pfiffner ), disbanding in 1999.

Prior to this, in 1980, the University of Colorado Alumni Handbell Ensemble was formed by alumni of the CU Handbell Ensemble who as undergraduates had enjoyed ringing and wanted to continue performing. They invited Professor 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 Professor 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.

Since 2004, the ensemble - renamed the High Plains Ringers - has been based out of the Applewood Congregation of the Community of Christ Church in Wheatridge, Colorado. Today, under the direction of Karen Pfiffner, the ensemble continues 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 are encouraged to occasionally direct the group as well as write their own arrangements and original compositions for performance. Few current members are actual graduates of the University of Colorado but, rather, come from various backgrounds. Many have led or currently lead their own handbell choirs. Many also have served as choral directors, organists, or clinicians.

New members are recruited by invitation,word-of-mouth, or through informal auditions. The only fundamental requirements are the ability to read music and some previous bell ringing experience. For more information on joining, please click here.

The ringing "season" roughly follows that of an academic calendar. Fall practice commences in early September with concertizing beginning in late November and ending before Christmas. The majority of the repertoire is Christmas music. For the spring, practice picks up again in mid-January (learning a new set of material). Concerts are typically held between April and June. The ensemble occasionally accepts invitations for summer performances.

.... Hardware:
5-1/2 octaves of Whitechapels
3 octaves of Petit & Fritsen "Dutch" bells
5 octaves of Malmark handchimes (4th/5th octaves courtesy of Tom Lance. Thank you, Tom)