Utah Valley Hand-Bell Ringers and David Tolk

Christmas bells are ringing today on Highway 89! Founded by Karen Eskew-Wyllie in 1993, the Utah Valley Handbell Ringers have performed in a variety of stunning venues including Salt Lake City’s Cathedral of the Madeleine, the Provo Tabernacle, and Disneyland. There are 56 bells in their collection, cast in aluminum or bronze and each tuned to a single, beautiful note.  In our interview with founder Karen Eskew-Wyllie, she demonstrates various bell-ringing techniques to host Tim Slover, including malleting, table damping, and plucking. They discuss protecting the bells, and how the music of bells touches the soul and brings the feeling of Christmas.  David Tolk is also visiting today as accompanist and solo pianist. He’s released 8 CDs, one of which reached #8 on Billboard’s New Age Chart in 2010. David frequently performs on-stage with his good friend singer/songwriter Peter Breinholt, and all of the solos he shares today are his own arrangements of Christmas favorites.  Enjoy the beautiful sound of Christmas bells and piano as we kick off our Holiday Season here at Highway 89.  Repertoire: Nutcracker Medley; I Wonder as I Wander; The Holly and the Ivy; Fum, Fum, Fum; Silver Bells; Good King Wenceslas; O Come, O Come Emmanuel; Carol of the Bells; Ding Dong Merrily on High;  Follow Highway 89 on twitter @byuh89