Arts & Entertainment

Three Rivers Ringers Announce Christmas Concert Schedule

The local handbell ensemble will perform throughout the area.

The Three Rivers Ringers have announced a concert schedule that will—naturally— ring in the Christmas season. 

The first concert will be Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. at First United Presbyterian Church in Crafton Heights. Concerts will be held through December in Mt. Lebanon, Evans City and Sewickley.

The concerts will feature a mix of traditional Christmas music, pops tunes, classical music and original arrangements.

Find out what's happening in Dormont-Brooklinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“A lot of existing music are things people are already familiar with, but some people write just for handbells as well,” said managing director Andy Seay. “We’re trying to bring that music to the forefront to show handbells aren’t just for Christmas.”

Seay said the collection of non-holiday handbell music has grown over the past 50 years, as the instrument has become more popular. But Christmas is still a perfect time of year to showcase the instrument, he said.

Find out what's happening in Dormont-Brooklinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Handbells and Christmas kind of go together like peas and carrots,” Seay said. “Christmas is the time of year when people want to hear handbells.”

The 14-member ensemble formed last year and rehearses at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church. 

After the concert, the audience is invited up to the stage to meet the performers and give the bells a try. Seay said it’s part of the group’s mission to educate listeners about the art of handbell ringing— but it’s also just fun.

“People get a chance to get up close to the ringers themselves,” Seay said. “It’s always cool to see a four or five-year-old pick up a bell for the first time and be amazed by it.”

If you’re going, concerts are:

  • Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at First United Presbyterian Church in Crafton Heights.
  • Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. at Bower Hill Community Church in Mt. Lebanon.
  • Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Evans City.
  • Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. at St. Stephens Church in Sewickley.

Admission to all concerts is free. Donations will be accepted.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here