On Friday May 4th, Embellish, the premier handbell ensemble of the greater Grand Rapids area, will present a concert entitled “Sounds of Spring.” The concert will take place at the magnificent Basilica of St. Adalbert, 624 Davis Ave NW, Grand Rapids. “Sounds of Spring” will feature Embellish Handbell Ensemble, Campana (Embellish’s companion ensemble), special guest conductor Fred Gramann of Paris, France, and Peter Kurdziel (organist and music director of the Basilica).

Fred Gramann will conduct three of his own compositions: “Change Ring Prelude on ‘Divinum Mysterium’” and “Lumiere” will be performed by Embellish and Campana together, and “Alleluia, the Strife Is O’er” will be performed by Embellish with Peter Kurdziel at the organ. Embellish and Campana will also combine forces for the haunting “Invocation” by Michael Joy, a piece which will lend itself well to the resonant Basilica sanctuary. Music Director Stephanie Wiltse will also conduct solo numbers by Embellish and Campana.

Affectionately dubbed “Not Your Grandma’s Handbell Choir,” Embellish presents music with many moods on their own set of 6+ octaves of Malmark handbells and chimes. If you have not yet experienced an Embellish performance, you are sure to be pleasantly surprised.

Embellish was founded in the fall of 1995 to be a professional level group that provides a high quality musical experience for diverse audiences through performance and teaching the art of handbell ringing. Their CDs, “The Colors of Bronze,” “Embellish the Season,” and the brand new “Celtic Dreams” will be available at the concert.

Tickets for the concert are available in advance by visiting EmbellishHandbells.com, and will also be available at the door. Tickets are $12 in advance or $14 at the door. Students are free.