Ensemble History

The idea for having a community handbell Ensemble was first conceived by Ann Nethery in 1995. She had already fully engaged the church members of all ages at Holland  First United Methodist Church in handbells and handchimes. Ann was a member and past Michigan State Chair of Area V of the AGEHR (American Guild of English Handbell Ringers). Her vision was to create a community handbell choir outside of the typical church setting.

When Ann died, in November, 2001, Howard Gould was asked to be the interim handbell director until a permanent director could be found. This experience, along with previous and subsequent popular handbell educational programs for youth and adults, led him to form The Zeeland Community Handbell Ensemble. Rehearsals began in January, 2003 and the Ensemble had their debut at the L.A.M.B. Ring (Lansing Area Ministry of Bells) in March, 2003.

The group is comprised of area ringers from the surrounding communities of Holland, Zeeland, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, and Hudsonville.

"Community Handbell Ensemble" is a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation DBA Zeeland Community Handbell Ensemble.