


1997-98 Events --
The Kalamazoo Ringers is a community handbell choir hosted by the First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo, MI. Led by their director Janet L. Van Valey, the ringers have rung for churches, businesses, and civic organizations thoughout the Midwest as well as in Canada and England.
The twelve ringers play a five octave set of Malmark handbells (61 bells) and a five octave set of Malmark CHOIRCHIMES (61 chimes). The choir performs a combination of sacred and secular music, and is noted for the sensitivity and musicianship that it displays.
The choir has produced a cassette tape which includes favorite Christmas carols, hymns, and songs to enjoy thoughout the year. Tapes are available from the director and members of the choir.
The Kalamazoo Ringers is an active supporter of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers - AGEHR. We encourage all handbell choirs to become members, and to take advantage of the many workshops and massed ringing events sponsored by the Guild.
Janet L. Van Valey holds both A.B. and M.M. degrees in music, with emphasis in music education and choral conducting. She has taught public school vocal music at both the middle school and high school levels, and has served a number of churches as director of music. She is the co-author of "Learning To Ring," a handbell curriculum published by Lorenz Corporation. She also owns Handbell Educational Resources, a company dedicated to providing quality training and support for handbell directors. She is a former Michigan state chair for Area V, Chair of the Handbell Industry Council, and currently serves as a member of CHIME (Committee for Handbells in Music Education). She has recently been elected to national office as secretary of AGEHR. And, of course, she is founder and director of the Kalamazoo Ringers.
For more information, you can contact Ms. Van Valey: (616) 655-8081, Jvanvaley@aol.com, or vanvaley@wmich.edu