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Music Made in Heaven is a unique handbell ensemble. Each of our bells has been donated in memory of a child who passed away and is inscribed in remembrance. The music played by the bells representing our children is unlike any other – it is a beautiful contribution the children are continuing to make to the world each time we ring. The message behind the music is one of faith, hope, joy and gratitude for our children's lives.
We call it Music Made in Heaven
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This year marks the 20th anniversary of Music Made in Heaven. Libby Barnes, creator of MMIH, decided this fall to retire from active bell ringing with the group, but she continues to be involved through her participation on the board. Here are Libby’s reflections on two decades of Music Made in Heaven. | |
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Celebrating 20 years of Music Made in Heaven inevitably brings back so many memories of how it began in 2004 and the adventure that has followed.
The concept was the result of a course project in which I was to create something that contributed to my community while expressing something about myself. After the loss of our daughter, Janet, in a tornado in 1988, I became frustrated that our culture could/would not openly embrace the remembrance of children who had died. This project seemed to offer me a means of countering the resistance to acknowledging children who were no longer here.
Knowing that music can often supersede words in expression, it seemed the ideal vehicle, and handbells were the instrument of choice. I vividly remember the words “Music Made in Heaven” coming to mind, almost as a whisper from somewhere.
Beginning such a venture was challenging as there was nothing like it for comparison. I hesitantly asked the first person if she would consider donating a bell in remembrance of her child and the enthusiasm of her response gave me the courage to ask another and then another. There was also the matter of purchasing the handbells. I learned of an imminent price increase on an initial set of 36 bells at a time when I had only four donations. The defining question for me was, “Are you serious about this or not?” On that basis, I ordered the bells moments before the price increase with no assurance that this idea would indeed become a reality.
My initial idea for finding handbell ringers was to approach the parents of these children. Our original group of ringers were all parents, some of whom had to learn handbell ringing and others who had some experience. Our first director, Sue Crocker, was a family member of our first bell donation, so she enthusiastically embraced our mission and consistently reassured us as we haltingly made music.
We had our first “concert” in the spring of 2005, and we called it The Gathering as its purpose was to gather the parents and families who had donated bells, thinking that it would not be of interest to others. As we practiced and developed musically, we found that others were indeed interested in hearing us play and were touched by our message of healing and hope. Many meaningful experiences have resulted through the years as we have played concerts, community services of remembrance at hospitals and churches, participated in numerous worship services and added a variety of special events (playing for patients receiving chemo, playing the national anthem at Durham Bulls games, playing in a homeless shelter, and most recently, participating in a live-streamed national fundraising event for Handbell Musicians of America). And I never envisioned a renowned composer like Fred Gramann arranging music just for us!
Looking back, I realize that MMIH has far exceeded my expectations of what it could be and what it could offer to others. In celebrating the gift of our children, we have become the family of Music Made in Heaven. We have thrived in accomplishing our mission: Our children are continually remembered and loved.
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Two New Ringers Join MMIH
Two new ringers have joined Music Made in Heaven this fall: Hunter Brooks of Durham and Shawn Yates of Holly Springs. We welcome them to the group!
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Meet an MMIH Member
Name: Bonnie Woodruff
Bell Experience: I had no handbell experience before joining MMIH 20 years ago. I had taken piano lessons for eight years so I did know how to read music, but playing bells was a real challenge for me.
What You Might Not Know About Bonnie: I walk daily on a greenway near my house and pass many of the same people. One day 20 years ago, I noticed a new walker: It was Sue Crocker, who had been my son Ben’s piano teacher. We stopped to speak and she told me about a handbell choir she was directing, formed to honor children who had died. She asked if I would be interested in donating a bell for Ben. I told her not only did I want to donate, but I wanted to become a ringer with the group. That was one of the best decisions I ever made!
Quote: I come each Monday night to practice and know I am one of a group of ringers who really understands the pain of losing a child. We bond in a special way and for a special reason – to honor our children in heaven by making beautiful music.
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In July, Director Barbara Marley attended Handbell Musicians of America’s 70th Anniversary celebration in Hartford, CT, where the first national conference of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, as it was called until rebranding as HMA in 2010, was held all those many years ago.
For five days, the 400+ participants were treated to seven outstanding performances spanning all ages of ringers, had the opportunity to take 14 different class sessions covering a variety of topics from hands-on instruction for ringers and conductors and reading sessions of new music, to bell maintenance, rehearsal strategies for ringers and directors, and roundtable discussions about a wide range of subjects of interest to folks in the handbell world, in addition to a festive celebratory closing night banquet. Throughout the week, there were many other informal opportunities for networking with sponsoring vendors and fellow directors and ringers from all over the country (plus a handful of international representatives!).
“I learned a lot, networked a ton, got new rehearsal and music ideas for MMIH, met new composers – and I actually won something in a drawing, which never happens to me!" Barbara says. "Many thanks to the board of MMIH, which covered my registration fees along with travel and lodging. I hope my attendance at this fantastic seminar will translate into tangible enhancements for both my ringers and our listeners!"
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Four members of Music Made in Heaven were selected to be among 100 advanced handbell ringers from around the world at Bay View Week of Handbells in Petoskey, Michigan, in August. At left, Patricia Smith, Director Barbara Marley, Sterling Smith and Ruth Stevens participated in the intensive four-day event led by Fred Gramann of Orléans, France, an internationally acclaimed composer, conductor, educator, handbell clinician and special friend to MMIH (and arranger of the pieces "Called Home to Heaven" and "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" for our ensemble, along with original composition, "Passacaglia of Remembrance," which was premiered at last spring's Gathering). It culminated in a concert attended by 550 people at Bay View’s John M. Hall Auditorium.
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November 21, 2024, 7:00 pm
Holiday Service of Hope
First Baptist Church
99 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC
December 7, 2024, festivities start at 2:00 pm and the tree-lighting ceremony begins at 6:00 pm; we will perform at 7:30 pm on the Great Lawn Pavilion Stage
Cary Christmas Tree Lighting
Downtown Cary Park
327 Academy St., Cary, NC
December 16, 2024, 6:30 pm
Holiday Handbells
Brier Pointe Retirement Community
5911 McCrimmon Pkwy., Morrisville, NC
We also will be performing at several private events this fall, including Toy Joy at the First Baptist Church of Raleigh on November 16 and a performance of holiday tunes at Duke Hospital in Durham on December 5.
See the Events page on our website for more information.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Sunday, May 18, 2025, 2:00 pm
The Gathering
Our annual concert featuring the performance of several pieces, along with the traditional reading of inscriptions in our bells honoring the children for whom they have been donated.
First Baptist Church
99 N. Salisbury St.,
Raleigh, NC
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At The Gathering in May 2024, Music Made in Heaven premiered Fred Gramann's "Passacaglia of Remembrance." | | | |
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Donate a Chime
Thanks to many donations, the handles of all of our handbells have been inscribed in memory of a child. But we have a whole set of choir chimes available! An inscription of your choice, up to three lines, will be added to the chime you donate, in addition to being listed on our website. When the group performs, each child’s name is acknowledged in the program. The requested donation for each chime is $300.
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Other Ways to Help
We greatly appreciate all financial contributions made to Music Made in Heaven as they help offset costs for the purchase of music and auxiliary equipment, insurance on the bells, printing and communication, and upkeep of our website.
Music Made in Heaven is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
For more ways to donate, please visit our website and don’t forget to choose Music Made in Heaven as your donation recipient when shopping iGive.
As always, thank you for your support!
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