Acclaimed handbell choir to perform concert in Aiken | Aiken Standard | postandcourier.com

David M. Harris conducts The Raleigh Ringers at St. John’s Methodist Church during a previous concert. The choir will perform in Aiken for the third time on Aug. 24.

An internationally-acclaimed handbell choir will perform in Aiken.

The Raleigh Ringers will be in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at St. John's Methodist Church. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

Dr. Matt Caine, director of traditional music at St. John’s, invited this group to perform. This will be the Raleigh Ringers's third concert at St. John’s.

“Where can a person go hear the music of Rossini, Rimsky-Korsakoff, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Ozzy Osbourne in a single concert," asked Caine.

Founded in 1990, The Raleigh Ringers is an Emmy-nominated handbell choir based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The group has been dazzling audiences with unique interpretations of sacred, secular and popular music — including rock ‘n’ roll tunes that the group has become noted for — along with original compositions written for The Raleigh Ringers.

Those artists and more will be among the selections performed by the Raleigh Ringers, all using bells.

"It is quite virtuosic to see and hear, providing an exciting experience for audience members of all ages," said Caine. "Tickets to a recent performance by the Raleigh Ringers started at $40, but thanks to a generous member of St. John’s this performance is being given as a free gift to the community. We will receive donations, all of which will go to fund future concerts on our Music at St. John’s series.”

Under the direction of David M. Harris, The Raleigh Ringers has performed in 39 States and the District of Columbia, France, England and Canada; live on the nationally syndicated “Bob and Tom Show” radio show; and on the “Hour of Power” at the Crystal Cathedral in California. In addition to eight albums, The Raleigh Ringers has released two full-length holiday concert videos. From those videos, three one-hour concert specials were created and broadcast on over 250 American Public Television stations in 45 states. The most recent PBS special aired over 400 times in 38 states in its first year of national distribution.

St. John’s Methodist Church is located in downtown Aiken at 104 Newberry St. N.W. While the concert begins at 7 p.m., the doors will open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit stjaiken.org.

Want to go?

WHAT: The Raleigh Ringers in concert

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24

WHERE: St. John’s Methodist Church, 104 Newberry St. N.W.

COST: Free; but donations will be accepted.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit stjaiken.org.