The Arkansas State University Ringers handbell choir will present its annual Christmas Concert in Riceland Hall at Fowler Center, located at 201 Olympic Drive, on Monday, Nov. 26, at 7:30 p.m. The performance group is directed by Dr. M. Ellis Julien, professor of music.

Earlier in the day the Ringers will perform the same program for more than 800 elementary and middle school students who attend nine different schools in the Northeast Arkansas. The choir will be ringing four octaves of Schulmerick handbells and three octaves of Malmark handchimes.

Established in 1986, the handbell ensemble is open to members of the student body as well as members of the faculty and the community. Although most of the students are music majors, several other academic majors are also represented.

In the past eight years the ASU Ringers have toured Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana and Florida. This fall the tour will extend from Nov. 18 through 20 and will include concerts in England, Hickory Ridge, Magnolia and Prescott.

The program will primarily feature music appropriate for the holiday season. Music will include "O Come, All Ye Faithful" arranged by Arnold Sherman; "Zimbelstern" by Douglas Wagner; "Away in a Manger" arranged by Kevin McChesney; "Glockenchorspass" by Patricia Sanders Cota; "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" arranged by Cynthia Dobrinski; "Gloria" arranged by Frances Callahan; "Frosty the Snowman" by Nelson & Rollins, arranged by Douglas Wagner; and "Carol of the Bells" arranged by Kevin McChesney.

Members of the choir include Karen DeBaun of Hickory Ridge; David Butler, Amy Crow, David Gilmore, Liz Gilmore, Whitney McCoy, all of Jonesboro; Chris France of Little Rock; Paula Shafer of Monticello; Rhonda Herring of North Little Rock; Crystal Richards, Laura Richards, Marlo Richards, Rusty Shields, all of Osceola; Russell Niemyer of Prescott; and Brian Sutton of West Memphis; Corey Emerson of Jacksonville, Fla.; Roby Johnson of East Prairie, Mo.; and Donnie Rawlings of Wardell, Mo.

The free concert is open to the public. For more information, contact the Department of Music, 870-972-2094.

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