About PHE
PHE, Spring 2024
Established in 2003, the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble (PHE) is a 501(c)(3) organization comprised of auditioned, advanced-level handbell ringers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Its repertoire spans original compositions, transcriptions of classical literature, and arrangements from a wide array of musical genres. An advanced range of ringing techniques allows the Ensemble to move beyond the traditional handbell sound and redefines the character of a single instrument, whether it’s through percussive stopped sounds or poignant echoes or a shimmering decrescendo.
Our ensemble currently plays on six and one-half octaves of Schulmerich bells. In addition, PHE plays two octaves of Schulmerich Silver Melody Bells, five octaves of MelodyChime® chimes, and the lower sixth and seven octaves of Malmark Choirchime® chimes. A large number of percussion instruments round out our ensemble’s artistic presentation.
PHE, Fall 2021
Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble strives to reach higher standards of musical excellence through the use of handbells and to explore the incorporation of other instruments in order to broaden the exposure of handbells to the performing arts.
Through workshops, conferences, and community outreach programs, PHE promotes the art and education of handbell ringing. The ensemble seeks to educate and encourage public appreciation and interest in handbells through musical performance and to expand the use of handbells in music education.
Unlike an orchestra or choir in which each musician is responsible for one line of the texture, a handbell ensemble acts as one instrument, with each musician responsible for particular notes as they appear in the music.
English handbells are tuned, with each bell analogous to a key on a piano. The clapper on an English handbell is on a hinge and moves back and forth in a single direction, unlike a school bell in which the clapper swings freely in any direction. Additionally, the shaft of the clapper is rigid, such that the bell may be held with its mouth facing upward.
Beyond simple ringing, numerous techniques specific to handbells have been developed, including placing the thumb against the bell while ringing for a staccato sound, striking the bell against a padded table for a quickly dampened sound, gently touching the rim of the bell against a table after ringing to allow the sound to decay in echo-like stages, and using a variety of mallets to strike bells hanging or laid on the table.
PHE, 2013
The Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble is a member of the Handbell Musicians of America.
Artistic Director
Ron Bellamy began ringing handbells in 1979, and has been a performer and clinician for Handbell Exploration, the Handbell Musicians of America (HMA), and Solo/Ensemble Extravaganza. A former member of the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble (PHE), he is also a solo handbell artist, was the solo ringing clinician at the 2019 HMA National Seminar in St. Louis, and will be the featured soloist at the 2023 HMA Area 2 Seminar in Lancaster, PA . Ron is presently directing two handbell choirs at two Lancaster area churches, and he has directed the Bucknell University Rooke Chapel Ringers on several occasions in Dr. William Payn's absence. He has conducted several massed ringing festivals, including the Nittany Valley Handbell Festival, the Webster NY ChallengeRing and the Western PA Handbell Festival. A graduate of the University of Scranton and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, his full-time employment is in the field of accounting and finance. Ron is married to Linda Lorgus, church music and handbell editor for J.W.Pepper. They met while ringing for PHE!
Past Artistic Directors
Kermit Junkert
Brian Seemann
Robert James Lamb
Lynn Gary Atkins, Jr.
PHE Musicians
Adam Bergstresser
Corinne Brandt
Jack Burdwood
Michaela Carey
Ellen Draegert
Meg Ehm
Caroline Fitch
Barb Frame
treasurer
Leanne Fiorella
Bob Gardner
vice president
Carl Hersom
ringer representative
Jill Kolojejchick
Becky Landon
Sarah Lipiecki
Gina Matthews
president
Rob Mygatt
Bethan Neely
secretary
Joe Reiter
Andrew Sullivan
Book Our Ensemble
Appealing Sound!
Whether you’re looking for a quartet for seasonal background music, a full concert, or a teaching clinic, PHE can create a customized experience for your special event! Contact us to learn more!
PHE Performs
With 20 years of performing experience, We’ve been a lot of places and have performed concerts for churches, businesses, and community evens and festivals throughout the tri-state area! Our performing history includes:
Kimmel Center; Philadelphia, PA
Walnut Street Theatre; Philadelphia, PA
Wawa Welcome America 4th of July Parade; Philadelphia, PA
Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade, Philadelphia, PA
Laurita Winery, New Egypt, NJ
HMA National Seminar
Auditions Information
Are you looking for more information about joining PHE? Click the picture above!
Contact Us
Do you have a question about our repertoire? Interested in having us perform a concert or teach a clinic? Please contact us, we’d love to tell you more about what we can do to help you out!
Support Us
Whether you are interested in donating your time, your talent, or your treasure, we are so grateful for your assistance! Please click the picture above to find out how you can help us in our endeavor to provide the finest quality music to our area.