MEQUON, Wis. - Concordia University Wisconsin's nationally-renowned Alleluia Ringers will be hosting a concert on Sunday, April 29, at 3:30 p.m. in Concordia's in the Chapel of Christ Triumphant. Admission is $7 for adults and children under 18 are free.  Tickets may be purchased at the door. All seating is by general admission.  For more information call 262.243.4405.

The program is entitled a Year in Review, and will include original works, hymn arrangements, and orchestral transcriptions for handbells and handchimes. It begins with a new original piece entitled Festive Bell Flourish.  

In May, the group will be making a concert tour of the Midwest with stops in the Twin Cities, Omaha, Kansas City, Jefferson City, St. Louis, and Springfield, Illinois. In July the group will be performing at The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers National Conference in Dallas, Texas.

The Alleluia Ringers are an auditioned group of 13 student musicians who play six-octave 72 bells, and five-octave 61 handchimes. Since its inception in the fall of 1986, The Alleluia Ringers have earned the distinction of being one of the finest handbell choirs in the United States.

In December, this group played to over 15,000 in 3 days playing with Doc Severinsen and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in their Holiday Pops concerts. This was the fourth time they have played with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Doc Severinsen. They have also made two tours to Germany and two tours to Norway, Sweden, and Estonia. In 2001, they were selected to play for Handbell Spectacular in Palm Springs, CA. The group also records the demo CDs for The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc.  

This is Dr. Behnke's 21st year of directing this exceptional group of young people. He is a highly acclaimed organ recitalist and teacher, handbell director and clinician, and composer of church music. Behnke's compositions are in print with 17 different publishers in the United States, Taiwan, and Germany, and he has been the recipient of ASCAP composers grants each year since 1998.