Ten years ago, a small group of handbell enthusiasts met to discuss a new concept . . . a music ensemble made up of musicians and directors from the community at large who would perform handbell literature with passion and musicality. From that vision was born Bells of the Lakes. We are church musicians, engineers, accountants, homemakers, secretaries, teachers, and chemists. We have kids, dogs, cats, fish, mortgages, lawns to mow, and travel plans. Oh, and we love to ring handbells.This CD offers some of our favorites, a baroque sonata featuring the glorious marriage of handbells and oboe, an energetic arrangement of a hymn standard, ancient airs originally scored for lute, a pop classic from the 60's and a toe-taping rag featuring the unlikely combination of handbells and accordion. It's the best ofour past and a hint of what's yet to come. Thanks for celebrating with us!The DirectorWilliam H. Mathis is Minister of Music and Fine Arts at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis and Chair of Director Education for the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. As a festival conductor and workshop clinician, he leads local, area, and national AGEHR events. His compositions appear in the catalogues of 13 publishers.The MembersMarilee Anderson, Nancy Einertson, Kate Graber, Kristen Haakenson, Anne Jeddeloh, Sarah Kaufenburg, Joanne Kerns, Kristen Koch-Wahl, Paul McKenzie, Deb Olsen, Gail Onan, Kevin Shull, Scott Ward, Kyle WieseThe EquipmentBells of the Lakes performs on six octaves of Schulmerich handbells and seven octaves of Malmark Choirchimes.AcknowledgementsTim Almen: All recording, editing, and mastering (except for the singing portion on Track #9, Song of Peace) Tim Almen Professional Music Services, 763-537-3789, tjalmen@msn.com.The Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus, Dr. Stan Hill, Music Director, for use of their live recording of singing on Song of Peace, Track #9.John Snow, oboist, on Sonata in C, Tracks #13-16. John Snow is Associate Principal Oboist with the Minnesota Orchestra and has been a member since 1999. He has been sought out as a guest principal player for orchestras across the U.S., appeared in festivals around the world, is currently on the faculty at the University of Minnesota, and is the winner of the 2004-2005 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Performing Musicians.Nancy Einertson, accordionist, on Wait for the Robert E. Lee, Track #19. Nancy studied accordion at Johnny's Music in Duluth, Minnesota and played in the Duluth Accordionaires under the direction of Johnny Copiskey.Marilee Anderson: Photography/ ArtworkDeb Olsen: TypesettingHennepin Avenue United Methodist Church: Rehearsal space and equipment.Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and Thrivent Financial, Minneapolis, MN: Recording space.Produced by Bells of the Lakes © ℗ 2006PO Box 3907, Minneapolis, MN 55403www.bellsofthelakes.orginfo@bellsofthelakes.org