"They're really chipper," the 17-year-old said. Compared to a violin, it's easier to get the hand bell to produce sound, Mignote said. Just ring a bell and the sound pours out.

Viewers may see more than just ringing by hand. Ebersole said handbell players have invented new techniques and pay close attention to their choreography as well as sound.

To make a sound, the player dips the brass bell forward, the clapper making it ring. The bells are of different sizes, the highest in tone the smallest.

Bell-ringing takes muscle as well as musical sensitivity. “It’s the only exercise I get, but I could probably arm wrestle with the best of them,” said Brian Christopherson, flexin… ...