Handbell Choirs

All handbell rehearsals are at the Arden Hills Campus,
Room S109.

Peals of Joy, Beginner (grade 4 & above)

An intergenerational beginning choir for persons who have never played handbells or have limited experience in music. Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 5:45-6:25pm Contact Carol Scheel at 651-797-7496 or bells@nhlc.org.

Sounds of Praise, Intermediate
(grade 6 & above)

An intermediate level choir for persons who have played handbells at least one year or who have a few years of experience on another instrument. Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 5:00-5:40pm Contact Carol Scheel at 651-797-7496 or bells@nhlc.org.

Celebrate Handbells

An intermediate level choir for high school ­students and adults who want to continue their handbell experience. Adults who want to try handbells are ­welcome.
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 7:10-8:15pm  For more details, contact Joann Kerns at 651-483-8646 or bells@nhlc.org. 

Ring Praise, Advanced (adult by invitation/audition only)

This is a committed, concert-level choir for post-high-school adults who are experienced at playing handbells. Sight reading capabilities are necessary. If you are an experienced handbell musician, this choir is for you.
Rehearsal: Thursdays, 5:30 -7pm Contact Joanne Kerns or 651-483-8646 or.

Directors

Carol Scheel

Director of Peals of Joy and Sounds of Praise

Carol Scheel's passion in music is focused on handbells. She has been ringing since 1992 and directing at North Heights since 1996. Carol now co-owns a handbell sheet music and accessories store, Heitz Handbells and Music. Since handbells tend to be thought of as a "traditional" instrument, Carol, along with the young ringers she directs, have been working hard to include handbells in the North Heights worship experience. Frank is Carol's loving, supportive husband. Carol enjoys reading and working jigsaw puzzles.

Joanne Kerns

Director of the Handbell Program

Joanne Kerns has been the director of the North Heights handbell program since its inception in 1977.  She is a charter member of Bells of the Lakes, an auditioned, community handbell choir, teaches treble bell techniques at area conferences, and is the Chairman/Coordinator of Kids Ring, a handbell ringing event for elementary and middle school youth. She attended St. Olaf College, played flute in the St. Olaf band, majored in Chemistry/Biology and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Medical Technology. Joanne always has her suitcase packed as she loves to travel. When she's not ringing or directing, she reads international intrigue/spy thrillers.