The Good Shepherd Handbell Choir hails from Braddock, Pennsylvania, in the heart of the Mon Valley. We are right across the river from Kennywood Park. Good Shepherd School is the parish educational facility associated with Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church. Good Shepherd is the Diocese of Pittsburgh's first reorganized parish, inaugurated in 1985.
The handbell program at Good Shepherd is a progressive graded system that builds on its past successes. There are four choirs at present. Three of the groups are made up of eleven individuals. The other groups is a quintet with only five ringers.
Good Shepherd possesses two sets of handbells. One set is three octaves (37 bells) and is manufactured by Schulmerich of Sellersville, Pennsylvania. Our other set is four and a half octave (54 bells) and is manufactured by Malmark of Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania. Each handbell choir usually performs as an individual group, but occasionally will combine forces and use both sets of bells simultaneously.
Each group is diligently skilled in music notation, handbell notation, and rhythm drills. The students rehearse between three and four hours per week. Membership in the handbell choirs demands a serious time commitment on the part of the students to build the team work and expertise necessary to make beautiful music with the bells.
Each choir has a repertoire of many varied pieces. They can perform either a sacred or secular program as the situation demands. They may also mix both sacred and secular of desired, especially at Christmas time. For an additional fee, special music can be arranged for particular needs provided sufficient notice is given.
In addition to all their hard work, the bell choirs also take part in recreational activities together. We travel to many different places, share meals often, and have the opportunity to meet mnumerous interesting people.
The handbell program is under the direction of Herbert Dillahunt, Minister of Music and Liturgy at Good Shepherd Church.
This page was last updated on July 3, 2002
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