Joyful Ringing: Bells on Temple Square Celebrates 10th Anniversary

This article was originally written by Lottie Peterson for Deseret News. The following is an excerpt. 

Every time the Bells on Temple Square performs the frantic, fast-paced “Flight of the Bumblebee,” one ringer on the back row hits the massive bells with a mallet — while wearing a beekeeper’s hat.

“I brought (the hat) to practice one day and (our director) thought that was fun and she let me wear it, and now it’s just developed into a little routine,” said Ferris Derbidge, who has been a member of the group since it was formed. “It’s a lot of fun.”

The choir began performing this piece, written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, in 2011 when LeAnna Willmore became the ensemble’s director. Since then, the song has served as a staple for the choir and its listeners.

“Everybody loves the bumblebee song,” said Warren Worsley, who has been a member of the group since 2012.

With the Bells on Temple Square of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now in its 10th year, the choir’s director and three of its ringers reflect on the ensemble’s musical and spiritual growth throughout the decade.

Read the full article at deseretnews.com.