The Embellish Family is comprised of two groups: Embellish and Campana. Both are community handbell ensembles representing the greater Grand Rapids area. Embellish was founded in the fall of 1995 to be a professional-level group that promotes the art of handbell ringing by providing a high-quality musical experience for diverse audiences. Yearly auditions are held for all positions in the ensemble, and you can get more information on ringing with us here.
Campana was created as a less intense version of Embellish. The ringing season is shorter, and the level of music is slightly easier, but we still have just as much fun. There are no auditions required, so if you’d like to join, please reach out!
The Embellish Family is governed by a Board of Trustees and is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization.
Our Musical Director
Both Embellish and Campana are under the musical direction of Brenda E. Austin. She is a dynamic and energetic conductor, clinician, and composer connecting musicians through handbells. She is widely admired for her impeccable ictus.
Brenda was named Musical Director for both Embellish and Campana in 2023. In 2019, she joined the team at Hope Publishing Company in Carol Stream, IL as an Editor. Before accepting the position to lead Embellish, she served as the Artistic Director for the Detroit Handbell Ensemble. Under her baton, DHE was honored to open the Handbell Musicians of America (HMA) National Seminar in 2018 and be the featured concert for HMA’s AREA 2 2019 Festival in Lancaster, PN. Additionally, she has served First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids, MI, as Director of Music since 2003. She is also active in the community directing children’s musical theatre.
Brenda graduated with degrees in Vocal Performance from Western Michigan University and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. She studied with Craig Arnold, Steve Zegree, and Eph Ehly.
Brenda is in demand as a handbell clinician throughout the year and has been the conductor and clinician at numerous festivals and workshops including HMA National Seminar and many of the Area festivals. Additionally, she has had more than 85 titles published for handbells and sacred choral since 2015.
Our Honorary Associate Director
Fred Gramann has been a friend of Embellish for many years, and he graciously accepted the title of Honorary Associate Director at Embellish’s “Ringing Out” mass ring in 2018.
He holds organ performance degrees from Syracuse University and the University of Michigan. Fred was the Director of Music at the American Church in Paris from 1976 to 2022.
As a well-known composer and internationally known conductor, educator, and handbell clinician, Fred is frequently invited all over the world to conduct handbell festivals.
Embellish’s Equipment
Embellish rings seven octaves of Malmark handbells and five-and-one-half octaves of Malmark ChoirChimes, totaling over 130 bells and chimes. All bells and equipment are owned by the group. The fully loaded trailer weighs over 2400 pounds, so we literally have a “ton” of bells!
Embellish FAQs
How did Embellish get started?
In the spring of 1995, several experienced handbell ringers got together and brainstormed the idea of forming a community handbell group. Most of them had been ringing for many years and were looking for an opportunity to ring a wider range of more challenging music. A board was formed, auditions were scheduled, bells were borrowed, and the rest is history!
Why the name “Embellish”?
Ric Wiltse (brother of founding director, Carl Wiltse and husband of the current director, Stephanie Wiltse) thought up the name, and we all liked it.
Who owns all of those bells?
Embellish owns the bells, chimes, tables, and all the rest of the equipment we use. Right now we own 7 octaves of Malmark handbells and 5 ½ octaves of Malmark Choirchimes, along with a multitude of related equipment and sheet music.
How much do those things weigh?
Our largest bell is an Aluminum F2, which is 18-1/2″ in diameter and weighs 10 pounds 7 ounces. Our heaviest bell is a brass G2, which is 12-7/8″ in diameter and weighs 12 pounds 15 ounces. It’s kind of like swinging a bowling ball with a handle! Our tiniest bell is a C9, affectionately known as a “thimble.” It weighs just a few ounces. All of our equipment together is literally “A Ton of Bells”! (Yes, we did actually weigh our equipment!)
What are the bells made of?
Handbells are made of bronze: an alloy of copper and tin. The ratio of copper (around 80%) to tin (around 20%) has to be the perfect balance to allow flexibility and resonance without being too brittle.
Where are the bells made?
Our set of English handbells was manufactured by Malmark Inc. in Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania.
Wait. English handbells are made in America ?
“English” handbells are the type of handbells we ring: they are designed with a clapper that moves only forward and back, not from side to side. American-made English handbells are still in their relative infancy—most handbells before the 1960s were made in London at the Whitechapel foundry, the same foundry that cast the Liberty Bell. The first US manufacturer of English handbells was Schulmerich Inc., which began making handbells in 1962. Malmark was started by Jake Malta, who left Schulmerich in 1973 to start his own company.
What is the origin of handbells?
Handbells were first used by change ringers who grew tired of practicing their “changes” in drafty bell towers. Using smaller “hand bells” allowed them to practice in the comfort of a warm church (or pub!). Later, handbells began to be used for tune ringing, and P.T. Barnum was the first to bring handbell ringers to the United States in 1844. They were the Lancashire Ringers of England, whom he dressed up in colorful costumes and called “Swiss Bell Ringers.” They weren’t allowed to speak in public so people wouldn’t discover their true origin.
Why do you wear black gloves?
Because the white ones were in the wash!
No really, why do you wear gloves?
Gloves help protect the bells from oil and perspiration on our hands, and they also protect our hands from the bells. Some of our bass ringers wear leather gloves, which help protect their hands and allow for a better grip on the handle.
Why do the ringers move around between pieces?
Because it’s more fun! Moving around gives ringers a chance to work with other stand partners and expand what they hear beyond the limited pair of notes that might be in a fixed assignment. It also allows the director to assign each piece based on the individual strengths of each ringer.
How do you get to be a member of Embellish?
Every June, Embellish holds auditions. All returning members must re-audition each year. Any experienced ringer who is looking for a challenge, a high level of commitment, and a good amount of fun is encouraged to audition. You’ll never know unless you try! Reach out for more information!