The Bells at Temple Square’s upcoming holiday concerts on Friday, Nov. 17, and Saturday, Nov. 18, have been canceled and have not been rescheduled, The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square announced Wednesday, Nov. 15.
The funeral of President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who died on Sunday, Nov. 12, is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 17, in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.
Ticket holders were notified via email of the cancelation of the sold-out event. Patrons, who were thanked for their support, were encouraged to visit newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org/events for other events taking place during this holiday season and also to attend the “Music & the Spoken Word” broadcast on Dec. 17, as the Bells will be featured at the event.
The 33-member handbell choir, led by conductor LeAnna Willmore and associate conductor Geoff Anderson, plays on two sets of English handbells and handchimes — one with seven octaves and one with 6½ octaves.
In addition to periodically performing with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and its summer concert, the group performed at the Handbell Musicians of America national seminar in Irving, Texas, on July 14.
About the Bells at Temple Square
The Bells at Temple Square was created in March 2005 as part of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square organization. The bell ringers are volunteer musicians, like the members of the Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra at Temple Square and Chorale at Temple Square.
The handbell choir’s performances include two yearly concerts, taking part often in the weekly “Music & the Spoken Word” broadcasts of the Tabernacle Choir and a major role in the choir’s annual Christmas concerts. The ensemble rehearses weekly. The rehearsals are currently not open to the public.
Watch the bell ringers’ 2022 holiday concert “Visions of the Season,” the 2023 spring concert “Bells in Motion,” and see the Bells at Temple Square playlist on YouTube.
