back  bay ringers

Margaret Schurclif and friends ringing on Beacon Hill

photo courtesy of the Boston Public Library

Handbell ringing across the country is becoming increasingly popular through the efforts of professional and community ensembles as well as those affiliated with churches.  Boston has a unique connection to the history of handbell ringing.  In the early 1900's Margaret Shurcliff, a resident of Boston's Beacon Hill brought back from a England a collection of eight handbells.  Over the years her collection grew, as did her love of ringing.  Her Beacon Hill Ringers, the country's first community handbell ensemble, became well know for their caroling at Christmas time as well as other performances throughout the year.  Ms. Shurcliff's work promoting the art of handbell ringing culminated in the first American handbell festival in 1954.  Festivals were designed for the purpose of "spreading new ideas and exchanging music techniques and information."  The Back Bay Ringers hopes to continue in the tradition of Ms. Shurcliff's work here in Boston, by creating an organization dedicated to promoting handbell ringing as a unique musical art for that can be enjoyed by a diverse audience.

boston's ringing history