A Brief History

In 1963 nine bored teenagers from Christ United Methodist Church sold sandwiches for six months and made enough money to buy twenty-five hand bells. The Wesley Bell Ringers became the first hand bell choir in Utah. Fast forward 45 years and over 400 high school aged students have played in the choir which has expanded to 10 octaves of English hand bells, and two octaves each of hand chimes, cup bells, silver melody bells and a carillon. All of the money for purchasing equipment and touring to perform has been raised through the fundraising activities of these dedicated youth. The Bells Ringers have recorded 16 tapes and CDs. Each summer the choir travels across North America sharing their music. The choir has performed in all 50 states as well as all of the Canadian provinces. They have played at Mount Rushmore, Disney World, The Cathedral of the Pines National Memorial, the 2002 Winter Olympics and the United States Capitol. They have made joint appearances with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Utah Symphony.The purpose of the choir is to glorify God through the performance of music, and to leave all they encounter with a greater hope for the future by showing what youth can accomplish through hard work, commitment and teamwork.