A core part of the BBR mission is to introduce handbells and choirchimes to the widest possible audience. It is well known that music education benefits children in countless ways. BBR wants our community’s children to experience firsthand the joy of music through playing and hearing choirchimes. We hope a donation of a set of choirchimes will provide a valuable resource for one of our local schools.

Any music educator who teaches in a Boston-area school is eligible to apply for the donation on behalf of their school or schools. BBR will select the winning schools from the completed applications received by the March 31, 2024 deadline.

BBR will present a two-octave set of Malmark Choirchimes to the selected recipients at the Boston Handbell Festival on May 21, 2024. In addition, BBR will provide a support package to help introduce the use of choirchimes in the recipients’ schools. This will include a collection of choirchime resources and a mentorship with BBR Artistic Director Griff Gall, who has developed a successful choirchime program in his own elementary school classroom.

Choirchimes are lightweight aluminum tubes which operate on the principal of a tuning fork but use a clapper/striking mechanism similar to handbells to create a gentle, lulling sound. Choirchimes offer several advantages over handbells for use in a school setting. Choirchimes are lightweight, durable, easy to grasp, and easy to damp. Chimes that are sharps and flats are black as on a keyboard for easy recognition, and all chimes have a note and pitch designation that is prominent and easy to read. Sets are compact and easy to transport. Within minutes, a group can successfully play melodies and experience the joys of making real music regardless of their musical training.

Fill out the online application form. Once you have submitted the online application, download the signature form, and fill it out. Please either send the signature form by mail or email to the Boston Handbell Festival committee contact (found on the form) by the deadline. Please note that applications will not be considered complete until both the online application and the signature form have been received. Further details about the application process can be found in the application guidelines document.

If you have questions about this chime donation program, please contact: chimeapp@backbayringers.org

• Application Guidelines
• Signature Form
• Online Application Form