With the Angels Volume XIII The 2009 Allegro Handbell Ensemble Released: June 2009 Original Medium: Compact Disc [ BUY NOW ]

From the Insert

“Allegro,” as an Italian musical instruction, means “fast.”  It was also the name of a toy alligator brought along on the group’s second tour in 1976.  The mascot’s name stuck, and the ensemble had a name: The Allegro Handbell Choir.

Begun by John Macdonald in 1967, the group gained national recognition and made its first European tour under the leadership of Dwight K. Menard, performing over fifty concerts each season.  Menard also began the ensemble’s tradition of commissioning original music for handbells, which has continued under the direction of Michael B. Surratt since 1979.  With the Angels, Let Us Sing, featured on the tenth track of this album, was commissioned in memory of Linda Tice, whose daughter was on tour with the choir at the time of her mother’s death.  At the request of her family, composer Carl Wiltse included a quote from the carol Silent Night in the music.

Since the group’s founding, the Allegro Handbell Choir has performed with five octaves of Schulmerich handbells, cast in Sellersville, Pennsylvania.  In 1998, the ensemble received a generous donation of five octaves of Malmark handchimes, manufactured in Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania.
On several of the European tours, there was confusion about how the group would perform.  Audiences would sometimes ask when the choir would sing.  It was finally determined that, in Europe, the word “choir” specificaly implies a vocal group.  For the 2000 Summer Concert Tour, the group changed its name again and became the Allegro Handbell Ensemble.

Mr. Surratt has conducted the Allegro Handbell Ensemble for over thirty years, and the group continues its educational programs, despite increased demands on time for today’s high school students.  The ensemble performs regularly for civic, charitable, and community groups, as well as in local elementary schools and holiday programs.

The Allegro Handbell Ensemble has toured throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and parts of Mexico.  The group presents a wealth of information about themselves, their instruments, and other recordings on their website at www.allegrobells.org.

Track List
from the insert

 Recording Credits
from the insert

The Ensemble (clockwise from top): Michael Surratt (director), Brandon Woodle, Catherine Nienhouse, Peter Elias, Andy Tuggle, Ali Sunseri, Jonathon Schwarzbauer, Michael Doose, Erik Jaworski, Leah Tarabour, Lizzy Brady, Anna Krainc, and Chris Davey