Karl King Bell Ringers

King Ringers
Director, Jan Altemeier

The King Ringers is a community handbell ensemble from the Fort Dodge area. The group's name is a tribute to the legendary Fort Dodge bandmaster/composer, Karl L. King (1891-1971). The King Ringers were founded in 1997 by a group of avid area handbell enthusiasts, and first performed before and at the intermission of a Fort Dodge Area Symphony concert. Since then, they have performed with the Fort Dodge Choral Society, Iowa Central Community College Choir, Hawkeye Community Theatre Christmas shows, "This Is Entertainment", Frontier Days, the state Women's Club Convention, the Gospel Music Festival at The Grotto in West Bend, handbell camps at the Lutheran Camp at Okoboji, and area churches and nursing homes. They have performed in area towns, including Pocahontas, West Bend, Eagle Grove, Laurens, Humboldt, Webster City, Eldora, Gowrie, Sioux City and Okoboji. They also give Christmas and Spring performances at area venues, featuring both sacred and secular works not typically performed by most church handbell choirs.

Currently there are 13 members and several substitute ringers who rehearse on Monday evenings at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge. Their performances include classical, sacred, jazz, patriotic and popular music, as well as original compositions for handbells. They perform with five octaves of Schulmerich handbells (61 bells) and four octaves of Malmark hand chimes. Members of the group come from Fort Dodge, Gowrie, Dayton and Badger.

They will be performing their Christmas Concert, Sunday, December 2nd, 7:00 P.M. at the Downtown Ballroom, 610 Central Avenue, Fort Dodge. There is no admission but a free-will offering will be taken. Refreshments will also be served.

Soprano Chorus
Fair Oaks Middle School Honor Choir
Directed by Leslie Anne Reetz

The members of the Soprano Chorus are Kelsey Albrecht, Sarah Amhof, Lexi Astor, Emma Bruen, Natalie Dillon, Keely Draper, Stephanie Dunbar, Jamie Haden, Alyshia Hamilton, Jamie Harmon, Hope Hugghins, Tiana Mericle, Raven Parrish, Eric Ruden, Tauni Sundermyer and Eric Trunnell.