Bells of the Lakes

06/05/2026

Did you know that Bells of the Lakes has partnered with Choristers Guild since 2009 to do recording demos? We are honored to be featured in the latest Chorister's Guild magazine. Click this link and head to page 21, "Precision, Partnership, and Purpose: Bells of the Lakes and Choristers Guild."

Quarterly magazine for Choristers Guild, providing quality resources for choral and handbell directors.

06/03/2026

We are so excited to be a part of the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus 2026/2027 season. We will be joining them at Orchestra Hall on Sunday, November 22nd @ 1 PM & 5 PM, so mark your calendars now!

06/01/2026

Tomorrow is the last day to receive the $40 early registration fee. After June 1, Seminar will be $60 per person. Student rate will stay at $20.

Choose 5 classes to attend throughout the day. Seminar also includes a box lunch.
Classes include: Ringing 101, Four in Hand, Bass Bells, Battery Technique, Challenging Rhythms, Mallets to Marts & More, Director 101, Bells in Worship, Conducting for ringers & directors, Bell Maintenance, Music for 12 Bells, Composing & Arranging, Score Study for ringers & directors, Sightreading.

Click the link to complete your registration:
https://forms.gle/NT4CBbq7P85439py6

If you have any questions regarding seminar, please email us: [email protected]

05/27/2026

Have you been thinking about attending our Seminar in August? Only 5 more days to receive the $40 early registration fee. After June 1, Seminar will be $60 per person. Student rate will stay at $20.

Choose 5 classes to attend throughout the day. Seminar also includes a box lunch.
Classes include: Ringing 101, Four in Hand, Bass Bells, Battery Technique, Challenging Rhythms, Mallets to Marts & More, Director 101, Bells in Worship, Conducting for ringers & directors, Bell Maintenance, Music for 12 Bells, Composing & Arranging, Score Study for ringers & directors, Sightreading.

Click the link to complete your registration:
https://forms.gle/NT4CBbq7P85439py6

If you have any questions regarding seminar, please email us: [email protected]

05/19/2026

Only 2 weeks to register by June 1st to receive the $40 early registration fee!

Choose 5 classes to attend throughout the day. Seminar also includes a box lunch.

Classes include: Ringing 101, Four in Hand, Bass Bells, Battery Technique, Challenging Rhythms, Mallets to Marts & More, Director 101, Bells in Worship, Conducting for ringers & directors, Bell Maintenance, Music for 12 Bells, Composing & Arranging, Score Study for ringers & directors, Sightreading.

Click the link to complete your registration:
https://forms.gle/NT4CBbq7P85439py6

If you have any questions regarding seminar, please email us: [email protected]

05/11/2026

After 30 years of incredible music, vision, and leadership, Bill Mathis has chosen to retire from his role as Bells of the Lakes artistic director in June.

A few things we'd like to share:

- Bill founded Bells of the Lakes and has been the only artistic director in the ensemble's remarkable 30-year history.

- We thank and celebrate Bill for providing the artistic vision that has helped Bells of the Lakes become a premier handbell ensemble with appearances throughout the region, the United States, and Europe.

- Nearly 90 ringers have benefited from Bill's leadership and drive for musicality and excellence as ensemble members since its inception in 1996.

- Bells of the Lakes will continue to pursue its mission: promoting musical excellence in performance, collaboration, and education through the medium of handbells.

- The search for a new artistic director has begun, and we hope to have an interim or permanent artistic director in place for the Bells of the Lakes Seminar for Ringers and Directors and ringer auditions in late August 2026.

If you'd like to congratulate Bill on his amazing career, send him well wishes, or share your favorite memories of working with him or ringing under his direction, please email us at [email protected], and we will compile your messages for him.

05/05/2026

We've had a few people already register for Seminar, are you one of them? Don't forget to register by June 1st to receive the $40 early registration fee.

Choose 5 classes to attend throughout the day. Seminar also includes a box lunch.

Classes include: Ringing 101, Four in Hand, Bass Bells, Battery Technique, Challenging Rhythms, Mallets to Marts & More, Director 101, Bells in Worship, Conducting for ringers & directors, Bell Maintenance, Music for 12 Bells, Composing & Arranging, Score Study for ringers & directors, Sightreading.

Click the link to complete your registration:
https://forms.gle/NT4CBbq7P85439py6

If you have any questions regarding seminar, please email us: [email protected]

04/27/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our 30th season concert this afternoon! We had a wonderful turnout and it was so fun to have some of our alumni back! If you missed the concert and want to watch or share, here is the direct link.

https://www.youtube.com/live/_bqbB7-OR_4?si=HNA2mb0fTyuMVi0m

04/25/2026

Dress rehearsal is underway. Don't forget to come to our Legacy concert tomorrow at Hennepin Avenue UMC at 3pm!