HOULTON, Maine — The Pine Tree Academy Bell Ringers of Freeport will make four stops in Aroostook County next week, performing their five-octave concert in Houlton, Oakfield and Littleton.
Under the direction of Doris Krueger, the Pine Tree Academy Bell Ringers play five octaves of English handbells (61 bells) and five octaves of Choir chimes (61 chimes). The young musicians are students in grades 6 through 12 and have performed throughout the United States as well as Bermuda, Iceland, and many European and South American countries.
On Friday, May 17, the group will perform from 2-2:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church on Court Street for students at Greater Houlton Christian Academy and from 7-8 p.m. for the general public.
On Saturday, May 18, the group will perform at the Oakfield Seventh-day Adventist Church on 6 Bear Gulch Road at 11 a.m.; and from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Madigan Estates Nursing Home in Houlton.
On Sunday, May 19, the group performs at the Littleton Full Gospel Assembly from 10-11 a.m. at 1187 U.S. Route 1.
There is no admission fee for the concerts, but an offering will be collected.
The group has played in a variety of venues such as the Maine State Capitol and Governor’s Mansion, the United States Senate Rotunda, the steps of the United States Capitol, Radio City Music Hall in New York City, concert halls, amphitheaters, television, radio, shopping malls, schools (elementary through university), churches, cathedrals, service clubs, music/youth camps, prisons, nursing homes, orphanages and hospitals.
Two full-length recordings have been produced and the Pine Tree Academy Bell Ringers was one of 10 Maine artists featured on NBC affiliate WCSH (Channel 6) TV’s first “Christmas in Maine” album. Current repertoire includes original handbell compositions and arrangements of hymns, spirituals, popular, and classical music.
“We are looking forward to playing in your area,” said Krueger.
For more information, contact Pastor Judy Mathers at 551-7951.
