Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University will host the Ouachita Handbell Ringers in their fall concert, Ringers in the Round, on Monday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the McClellan Hall rotunda. They also will ring for the annual Service of Lessons and Carols at the end of the fall semester.

Dr. Rob Hewell, associate professor of music and coordinator of Ouachita’s worship arts program, has conducted Ouachita’s Handbell Ringer performances since 2003. “I enjoy the experience of seeing and hearing students make music with others, especially students who have some musical experience but have their first experience ringing handbells here at OBU,” he said.

This concert will include a variety of music include a setting of the hymn tune for “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship” and an arrangement of J.S. Bach’s “Arioso.”

This semester there are four ringers: Ashton Edwards, a senior graphic design major from Fordyce, Ark.; Blake Johnson, a junior music major from Camden, Ark.; Kathryn Lee, a senior music major from Azle, Texas; and Christina Moon, a junior church music major from Carrollton, Texas.

All students are eligible to sign up for Handbell Ringers if they are able to read music. The number of ringers varies from semester to semester. “I’ve had as many as 14, and as few as three,” said Dr. Hewell.

“Handbell ringing is a wonderful art – a joy to hear, and even more to see. It’s a visual experience for the audience as well as an aural one,” he added. “Every semester is a different challenge based on the number of students who register for the ensemble, and finding the right music for the skill level of the group.”

For more information on OBU’s Handbell Ringers, contact Dr. Rob Hewell at [email protected] or (870) 245-5133.

By Molly Anne Turner