BILLINGS – The sound of bells brought a Christmas celebration to Billings on Sunday afternoon.
The Bellissimo! Handbell Choir performed “A Downtown Concert,” its 33rd annual Christmas concert.
The group practices and performs at First Congregational Church on North 27th Street.
Bellisimo! director Wendy Goodheart said ringing the bells is not easy and takes some musical talent.
The group performed two concerts on Sunday.
“The bells are just something that are a little unexpected,” said Goodheart. “It’s a different type of instrument. Not many people hear it or know what it is. It’s like the keys on the piano. We have 11 people ringing approximately five octaves of bells. It’s a very fun and festive thing to have at Christmas time.”
Goodheart said some of the bell musicians have been with the group for 20 years.
