Become an Embellish Ringer
Are you interested in becoming an Embellish ringer? Embellish members audition each year and new ringers are always welcome to audition!
Auditions dates for this year can be found on our concert season page. If you are
interested in auditioning, contact Stephanie Wiltse at
or 616-243-3729.
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Donate
Embellish patrons help us purchase music, pay for repairs, buy insurance,
pay our music director, and save for additional equipment
purchases. We are deeply indebted to the Keller Foundation
for their generous gift in 1995 to purchase our first
bells, to our concert underwriters who allow us to
bring guest artists to our performances and perform
in many different venues, and to our loyal patrons
whose gifts have enabled us to play beautiful music
for eleven years.
If you would like to make a gift, please fill
out a donation
form or you may give a donation using Paypal by clicking
the link on our homepage. Embellish is a non-profit organization so your donation is tax deductible.
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Hiring Information
Let us Embellish your event by booking a
performance for your office party, wedding or other special event!
For more information on prices and to check our availability,
please call (616) 915-0134 or email
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Embellish FAQ's
How did Embellish get started?
In the spring of 1995, several experienced handbell ringers got together and brainstormed the idea of forming a community handbell group. Most of them had been ringing for many years and were looking for an opportunity to ring a wider range of more challenging music. A board was formed, auditions were scheduled, bells were borrowed, and the rest is history!
Why the name "Embellish"?
Ric Wiltse (brother of founding director, Carl Wiltse and husband of the current director, Stephanie Wiltse) thought up the name, and we all liked it.
Who owns all of those bells?
Embellish owns the bells, chimes, tables, and all the rest of the equipment we use. Right now we own 6 ½ octaves of Malmark handbells and 5 ½ octaves of Malmark Choirchimes, along with a multitude of related equipment and sheet music.
How much do those things weigh?
Our largest bell is an Aluminum F2, which is 18-1/2" in diameter and weighs 10 pounds 7 ounces. Our heaviest bell is a brass G2, which is 12-7/8" in diamter and weighs 12 pounds 15 ounces. It's kind of like swinging a bowling ball with a handle! Our tiniest bell is a C9, affectionately known as a "thimble." It weighs just a few ounces. All of our equipment together is literally "A Ton of Bells"! (Yes, we did actually weigh our equipment!)
What are the bells made of?
Handbells are made of bronze, an alloy of copper and tin. The ratio of copper (around 80%) to tin (around 20%) has to be the perfect balance to allow flexibility and resonance without being too brittle.
Where are the bells made?
Our set of English handbells was manufactured by Malmark Inc. in Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania.
Wait. English handbells are made in America ?
"English" handbells are the type of handbells we ring; they are designed with a clapper which moves only forward and back, not from side to side. American-made English handbells are still in their relative infancy; most handbells prior to the 1960s were made in London at the Whitechapel foundry, the same foundry which cast the Liberty Bell. The first US manufacturer of English handbells was Schulmerich Inc., which began making handbells in 1962. Malmark was started by Jake Malta, who left Schulmerich in 1973 to start his own company.
What is the origin of handbells?
Handbells were first used by change ringers who grew tired of practicing their "changes" in drafty bell towers. Using smaller "hand bells" allowed them to practice in the comfort of a warm church (or pub!). Later, handbells began to be used for tune ringing, and P.T. Barnum was the first to bring handbell ringers to the United States in 1844. They were the Lancashire Ringers of England, whom he dressed up in colorful costumes and called them "Swiss Bell Ringers". They weren't allowed to speak in public so people wouldn't discover their true origin.
Why do you wear black gloves?
Because the white ones were in the wash!
No really, why do you wear gloves?
Gloves help protect the bells from oil and perspiration on our hands, and they also protect our hands from the bells. Some of our bass ringers wear leather gloves, which help protect their hands and allow for a better grip on the handle.
Why do the ringers move around between pieces?
For the past few years, we have been having ringers change positions on different pieces. Moving around gives ringers a chance to work with other stand partners and expand what they hear beyond the limited pair of notes that might be in a fixed assignment. It also allows the director to assign each piece based on the individual strengths of each ringer.
How do you get to be a member of Embellish?
Every June, Embellish holds auditions. All returning members must re-audition each year. Any experienced ringer who is looking for a challenge, a high level of commitment, and a good amount of fun is encouraged to audition. You'll never know unless you try!
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