Music Ministry
History of Bells

BEFORE BELL TOWERS 

Throughout history bells have been used in different cultures and religions as an aid to worship and as a form of communication. Some societies have ascribed mystical powers to bells, while others have used them for regal adornment.

During the fourth century, bells were cast and tuned to announce various prayer times each day. During religious ceremonies monks or clerics often rang bells ("cymbala") with a hammer during a processional. These cup-shaped bells, suspended from a metal bar, were used to give pitches for Psalm readings and other specific sections of the Liturgy.

BELL TOWERS

During medieval times Christians traveled throughout Europe ringing bells while spreading the news of the risen Christ, and summoning people to congregate. Eventually, large bronze bells were cast and towers were constructed to house them. At first these towers were built apart from the church; then belfries were added above the church structures. The Bishop of Nola, in Campania, Italy, was the first to place a bell tower within the church.

When several bells are hung in a belfry, they can be rung together, or one after another, to produce a clamorous effect. Such a set, known as a peal, consists of multiple bells tuned to different degrees of the scale. The peals can vary in size from three to twelve bells. Ringing these bells in various sequences (permutations) is known as "change ringing." Throughout the 1600s bell ringers experimented with these sequences, keeping records of the many changes that were rung. In 1667 Fabian Stedman published Campanologia, a book on the art of change ringing.

By the 1700s change ringing had become a very popular pastime, especially throughout the British Isles. Ringing bands were formed, and marathon peals were held, sometimes lasting 24 hours or longer. The art of change ringing was considered a test of physical and mental endurance rather than a means of musical or religious expression.

THE FIRST HAND BELLS 

In order to practice change ringing without being subjected to the climatic changes in the tower, or without being offensive to the local people, small hand-held wooden bells were made. In 1660 William and Robert Cor of the Wiltshire (England) Foundry cast the first tuned bronze hand bells. These bells were made with leather pegs in the clapper head and a spring action that prevented the clapper from resting on the side of the casting. These hand bells were first used to practice changes for the tower bells, but ringers soon became interested in using the bells to ring melodies. Simple arrangements of hymns and folk songs began to appear, written for newly formed bell bands. By the end of the eighteenth century, nearly every village in England had its own hand bell band.

HAND BELLS IN THE UNITED STATES 

Hand bells were brought to the United States in 1845 by P. T. Barnum. Well known as a showman and entrepreneur, Barnum was impressed by a group of English ringers and saw an opportunity to introduce a new art form to the United States. To make this a profitable venture, he dressed the ringers in Swiss costumes, giving them a colorful and theatrical appearance, and toured them throughout the country. To this day many people believe that hand bells originated in Switzerland and not in England. This lasting misconception is certainly a tribute to the marketing genius of Barnum.

During the early 1900s the tower bells in Boston's Old North Church were in need of repair. Church members Margaret Shurcliff and her father were interested in restoring the bells, and made several trips to England to learn what was required to repair them. While on one of these fact-finding trips in 1923, Mrs. Shurcliff became the first American to ring a peal in an English tower. In honor of this occasion the Whitechapel Foundry presented her with a set of hand bells to take to the United States. Soon afterward she organized a group of family members and friends from Boston into the "Beacon Hill Ringers." This was indeed the first American hand bell choir.

The New England Guild of Hand bell Ringers was organized in 1937. This organization was dedicated to the promotion of hand bell ringing throughout the New England area. As interest in hand bells grew, however, there developed a need to provide training and resources for directors and ringers throughout the entire country. To meet this need the American Guild of English Hand bell Ringers (AGEHR) was founded in 1954. This national organization continues to promote ringing and offer educational opportunities to both ringers and directors.

Prior to 1940 all hand bell choirs were privately sponsored. The first church hand bell choir was in the First Presbyterian Church of New York City, and was directed by Doris Watson. in 1959 Dr. Watson wrote The Hand bell Choir, one of the earliest publications available to hand bell directors.

HAND BELLS TODAY 

The art of English hand bell ringing is recognized today as both an excellent tool for music education and a viable ensemble instrument in the school and church. Numerous community choirs have been formed also, providing people with the opportunity to ring outside the church or school setting. Bells are also being used for music therapy within a large variety of special groups, including retirement homes, hospitals, and activity centers.

As more choirs developed, support industries grew to accommodate their needs. Today there are several publishers with large catalogs of hand bell music, and many companies offer accessories. An increasing number of organizations are purchasing bells and new support companies are being formed to meet the various needs of these groups.

The art of hand bell ringing is also spreading around the world. Other countries are developing choirs, and there is an increasing interest in sharing through international festivals and tours. Hand bell guilds have been organized in many countries in support of this international growth. In America, bells are being added to marching bands, orchestras, parades and are often combined with a variety of other instruments.

As far as the future of hand bells is concerned, they are likely to continue to be popular. Moreover, it is reasonable to expect that hand bell ringing will continue to involve a cross section of people around the world.

WHAT IS A HAND BELL? 

Three physical characteristics are necessary for a bell to be considered an English hand bell:

1. ENGLISH TUNING - the fundamental and the 12th overtone are dominant; 

2. A FIXED CLAPPER - a clapper that is restricted to moving in only one plane; 

3. A RESTRAINING SPRING - a mechanical device which prevents the clapper from resting against the side of the casting.

The process of casting and tuning an English hand bell is both a precise science and a demanding art. The procedures used by the companies vary, but the basic principles remain the same.

The diagram below  shows a bell currently being manufactured by Malmark.