This Chicago-based, auditioned community handbell ensemble was founded in 1992 by David L. Weck, and since then has been privileged to share its joy of ringing with concert audiences across the U.S. and in England.  The group's members have served as workshop educators at numerous handbell events across the country, and church musicians throughout the ringing world have enjoyed their artistry on promotional recordings released by Hope Publishing Company, and on their own CD recordings.

 

Currently, sixteen musician-ringers comprise The Agape Ringers, who commute to LaGrange, Illinois for regular Monday night rehearsals from communities in Illinois  and Wisconsin.  Concerts are scheduled monthly, featuring the group's set of 203 bronze handbells and 73 aluminum handchime instruments, which spans a total of six and one-half acoustical octaves.

 

The Agape Ringers have performed for national events of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR, Inc.), have toured England, Puerto Rico, and concertized throughout the United States, with plans to head to Japan in 2009.  They have been featured on WTTW's Artbeat Chicago, and have performed with many professional musical organizations and artists based in the Chicago area.