Handbells perform classical, Christian music… and a Beatles medley: One of Japan's leading handbell choirs will perform in Orange City Tuesday, July 26 at Northwestern College's Christ Chapel, part of the choir's biennial tour. The public is invited to this free performance. A workshop is also planned for handbell choir members and directors.
ORANGE CITY – The Glee Handbell Choir of Tokyo, Japan – one of Japan’s leading handbell choirs – will perform in Orange City Tuesday, July 26.
The choir, which tours the States every other year, has performed to enthusiastic audiences in the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove CA, at the Handbell Exploration in Phoenix, and on television and radio in Japan and elsewhere.
From Meiji Gakuin Higashimurayama High School and Meiji Gakuin Junior High School, the choir has been part of the school’s Christian program since 1978. This year’s 17-member handbell choir is touring the Twin Cities, Omaha, Waterloo, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and California. The ensemble plays Christian music, classical music and more – including a Beatles medley. One piece will be performed with the violinist Kazuyoshi Inagaki.
Directors of the choir are Mr. Takanobu Onoda and Mr. Kazuyoshi Inagaki.
The choir has visited Sioux Center in recent years, but this year will add Orange City to its schedule. Rev. Nori Odate, the tour director, is an alum of Northwestern College in Orange City.
A handbell workshop will be held Tuesday, July 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Northwestern College’s Christ Chapel in Orange City. Those interested must register by July 16 by calling Janet at 712-722-0327 or Janine at 712-707-4885, or emailing jbrenes@mtcnet.net or OCArts@orangecityiowa.com.
A concert for the public is planned for Tuesday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Northwestern’s Christ Chapel (not the DeWitt Theatre).
No admission will be charged for the workshop or concert, but donations will be received.
The event is sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council and Northwestern College Intercultural Affairs.
A 1986 youtube performance can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4gXLxlU2Oc
