The Mumaw Handbells

Otis and Lucille Mumaw have spent over thirty years working with handbell ringers.  Otis served for many years as the Schulmerich Handbell Representative in western Missouri and eastern Kansas.  His influence, however, stretched well beyond those borders.  As Chair of Area VIII (Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Nebraska) of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR), Otis was instrumental in organizing training events and ringing festivals across mid-America.  Lucille not only assisted with these events, but also served many years as handbell director at Platte Woods United Methodist Church in Kansas City, Missouri.  Each summer she traveled with her church youth to ringing events.  For over ten years, they have served the AGEHR as members of the Missouri State Committee.  The membership of Area VIII honored Otis in 1996 for his work and leadership.

Since 1989, the Columbia Handbell Ensemble has worked to develop funding sufficient for the purchase of a five-octave set of handbells.  In early August of that year, it came to our attention that a five-octave set of it Schulmerich handbells might soon be available in the Kansas City area.  When we discovered that the set was for sale, we were delighted to learn that our dear friends and long time CHE supporters, the Mumaws, were eager to offer the bells to the ensemble.

Thanks to major contributors, Vivian and Allan Purdy, as well as a host of other contributors, Sharon and Skip Kinden, Kee and Diana Groshong, Keith and Nancy Dreier, Gary and Patricia Kespohl, John and Marvellee Ridgeway, Steven and Kathie Rollins, Sigma Alpha lota Alumnae, Dave and Susie Bennett, Dale and Diane Lonis, the late Mrs. Athleen Buckner, and members of the Chancel Handbell Choir of First Baptist Church, Columbia, the CHE was able to purchase the bells from the Mumaws.

Though Otis passed away in February of 2000, the influence, dedication, service and gentle spirit of this couple will forever be remembered.  We deeply thank the Mumaws and our local contributors for their generosity and kindness.  It is an honor to present these beautiful instruments in concert. 

CHE performances on two five octave set of Schulmerich handbells.  One set is courtesy of First Baptist Church and our second set was purchased from Otis and Lucille Mumaw, who for over ten years served the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) for the Missouri State Committee plus much more.  Thanks to our many contributors CHE was able to dedicate our concerts in loving memory of Otis who passed away in February of 2000. 

Our sixth octave bells are courtesy of Centenary United Methodist Church in St. Louis, Missouri  

We also use three octaves of Malmark choir chimes.

Missouri Arts Council

Financial assistance for the ensemble has been provided by MAC, a State agency, and the Office of Cultural Affairs, an agency of the City of Columbia.

Columbia Handbell Ensemble

Mission Statement and History of CHE

The Columbia Handbell Ensemble is proud to continue its  charter to promote the excellence of music through the media of handbells.  CHE is a member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) and is a community-based choir. The choir is composed of auditioned ringers from throughout the central Missouri area.  CHE is a nationally recognized choir who have performed throughout the central United States.

Established in 1989, the Columbia Handbell Ensemble is one of the most respected and longest running community based ensembles in the nation.  Since its inception, the ensemble has sought to raise the stands of handbell performance and instruction, while advancing the viability of the art of handbell ringing. 

The idea for an ensemble developed during a lunch gathering in a Columbia restaurant.  Co-founders Tom Brintnall, Deborah Carr and Ed Rollins discussed the possibility of organizing a community-based ensemble.  Though community ensembles were quite rare, it was thought that such an ensemble would offer challenges and a variety of music not always possible in churches where handbells have been traditionally centered.  Such a group would also provide a forum for the development of ringing and directing, would encourage the composition/arrangement of more advanced literature, and would promote the art of handbell ringing within our community.  Years later, the CHE continues to promote musical excellence through the medium of hanbells.  In addition, the nationally recognized ensemble has emerged as one of the models for community based ensembles across the nation.

The ensemble promotes the following goals:

* Committed to musical excellence and educational leadership development

*Promote the art of handbell ringing within the community, state and country

*Provide hands-on ringing experience to those who have never seen handbells

* Assist ringers in the development and improvement of their ringing skills

*Provide leadership in the development of literature for advanced ensembles and training for their directors

The Columbia Handbell Ensemble is grateful to:

First Baptist Church

1112E Broadway

Columbia, Missouri 65201

who continued to support and provide for the CHE with  space for rehearsal, concerts, and handbells.

Regional and National Events

While the CHE is active on the local level, it has had the privilege of performing for numbercus regional and national events, conferences and concert series including:

*1992 Area VIII Conference, St. Joseph, MO

*1995 Nations AGHER Director's Seminar, St Louis, MO

*1997 National AGHER Western Festival Conference, Kansas City, MO

*2000 University Concert Series, University of Missouri, Columbia

*2005 National AGEHR Handbell Festival - Springfields, MO