OBU University Ringers Performing in Spring Concert

May 1, 2000

The University Ringers, Oklahoma Baptist University's10-member handbell ensemble, will present their spring concert Tuesday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the university's Yarborough Auditorium. The concert will include a Memorial Day medley in preparation for the group's upcoming tour to Washington D.C. during the May holiday.

The medley includes two songs that emerged during World War I to encourage soldiers, "Over There," and "My Buddy," and a Hart Morris arrangement of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," a World War II tune.

The last piece on the program, "Reflections on the Plains," by Cathy Moklebust, was commissioned by the Central Oklahoma Ringers and Directors for the 1999 Handbell Festival in Oklahoma City. The piece consists of three movements, "Sunrise and Wheatwaves," "Rodeo Jubilee," and "In Memorium: April 19, 1995."

This will be the final concert for five of the ringers, three of whom have been members for four years.

The University Ringers are recognized as one of the top collegiate handbell programs in the nation. They have presented feature concerts at the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference, at the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers' Director's Convention, and have appeared on Diane Bish's syndicated television program, "The Joy of Music." The group has toured in 31 states and several foreign countries.

The University Ringers were organized in 1983 by Mary Kay Parrish, associate professor of music theory at OBU. Parrish is widely known as a handbell clinician and composer and has recently been elected to serve on the national board of AGEHR. She was named 1992 composer of the year by the Jeffers Publishing Company.

The ensemble is part of OBU's Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts, which has been recognized for its outstanding music programs. More than 175 music and non-music majors participate in the ensemble program at OBU.

The handbell concert is free an open to the public.