Rooke Chapel Ringers to spread cheer in the Northeast
Posted: December 01, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. — This January, members of Bucknell's Rooke Chapel Ringers will set out on their annual tour to perform concerts in the hometowns of the group's senior members. This tradition has taken the group to many stops in the Northeast, and even across the country to Denver, Colo., and Portland, Ore.
"The concerts are always enthusiastically received, particularly because parents and family members rally to publicize the event," said William Payn, director of choral studies. "Most often there is a reception following the concert to meet those who attend, including Bucknell alumni and prospective students."
Concerts have been set for:
Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. in Elmira, N.Y.;
Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church On-The-Green, Morristown, N.J., hometown of members Rachel Tooley and Peter Moschberger;
Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Ambler, Pa., hometown of Lauren Popoli; and
Jan. 15 at 4 p.m. at the Cedarville United Methodist Church in Pottstown, Pa. , hometown of Stephanie Hullman.
The ringers will perform three original works by conductor Payn. "Prisms" was written in 1975, specifically for the Ringers-On-The-Green of the Presbyterian Church of Morristown. The other two works by Payn are recent publications: "Visions" and "Commemoration of the Spirit."
The ringers will also play music by Pennsylvania composers Karen Buckwalter, Douglas Smith, and Michael Joy, as well as arrangements by Kevin McChesney, Arnold Sherman, Betty Garee, and John Behnke. Their signature piece, "Festive Dance," a transcription of Georges Bizet's "Farandole," will end the program.
The ringers earned fame when the national PBS production of A Bucknell Candlelight Christmas, which features the group, was nominated for an Emmy in 2004.
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Story posted Dec. 1, 2005
