Welcome!

A letter from our director,
Dr. John Behnke

I have announced to my ringers, the Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble, that the 2018-2019 season will be my last one with them. The official end is Wednesday, June 19, 2019 after we present a hymn festival for the AGO Regional Convention in Milwaukee. Before that, we will be playing Holiday Pops concerts with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, hosting a handbell festival on Sunday, March 24, 2019 and doing a mini-tour up north to Fond du Lac, Wausau and Minocqua. 

​When we began this adventure in 2003, we set some goals that I'm happy to say have been achieved. Come July 2019, it is time for a new director with new ideas to set some new goals and forge ahead.

I have loved my time together with this group and I will always cherish our memories of playing at the Area 7 Festival in Sioux Falls, SD and playing the 2018 National Seminar closing concert for the Handbell Musicians of America at the DeVos Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. To past and present members of the Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble, I say "thank you". 

The ringers of MHE, past and present, are forever grateful for Dr. Behnke's time and dedication given to our group. We would not be where we are today without him. Please consider attending a concert this season to help us bid farewell to our director. Blessings on all your future endeavors, Dr. and Mrs. Behnke!
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MHE has released a CD entitled An MHE Christmas Celebration! It would make a great gift for any of your music-loving family and friends!
​Visit cdbaby to order yours today!
We also encourage you to take some time to browse our website and learn what makes the Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble a unique musical group that plays a unique musical instrument. Visit the "About" page to learn of our history, ringers and directors! Take a glimpse of MHE behind-the-scenes by visiting our "Galleries" page! You may hear the magnificent sounds that handbells create by listening to audio recordings, such as What is this Lovely Fragrance arranged by Fred Gramann or watch a video recording of MHE in action as we perform Tin-Tin-A-Rumba by Andrew Duncan.  

Last but not least … HIRE US! 
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Not only can you hire us to perform for a special event or party of yours, we also provide traveling workshops to achieve our mission of "… educating, inspiring and informing others on the art form."  Contact us for more information!
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Events at a Glance


Holiday POPS
Guests of Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

Friday, November 30
8:00 pm
Saturday, December 1
8:00 pm
Sunday, December 2
2:30 pm
​​Marcus Center for the Performing Arts 
Milwaukee, WI

Click here for a Holiday POPS preview!

Ring and Sing Christmas
Sunday, December 16
4:00 pm
Historic Washington House
Two Rivers, Wisconsin

Monday, December 17
7:30 pm
We are sorry to say that this concert is SOLD OUT!
St. John's Lutheran Church
Glendale, WI

MHE Handbell Festival
Sunday, March 24
1:00 - 8:00 pm
St. John's Lutheran Church
Glendale, WI

Northern Wisconsin Tour
Friday, May 31
7:30 pm
Church of Our Savior
Fond du Lac, WI

Saturday, June 1
7:30 pm
Ascension Lutheran Church
​Minocqua, WI

Sunday, June 2
Sunday morning worship
Merrill, WI

Sunday, June 2
3:00 pm
Zion Lutheran Church
Wausau, WI

Summer Concert
Monday, June 3
7:30 pm
St. John's Lutheran Church
​Glendale, WI

AGO Regional Hymn Festival
Wednesday, June 19
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Concordia University
Mequon, WI

Testimonials ... 

"Your group is something very special. Yes, it's entertainment and there's nothing wrong with that. But entertainment works when you can back it up with great playing. You were artistic, detailed, technically flawless, amazing."

~ By noted composer, Kevin McChesney,  handbell music composer, arranger, director and editor,  following our performance at the National Seminar closing concert for the Handbell Musicians of America in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (2018) 
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"The Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble has become a highly anticipated and much loved part of our Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops tradition. MHE’s ringers are a talented, professional group that bring tremendous joy and energy to every performance."

~ By Mark Niehaus, MSO president and executive director, following our performance with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at their Holiday Pops concert. (2017)


"Our Concert Series has brought a variety of artists to Rockford for eleven years.  Without a doubt, Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble's performance was one of the best.  MHE was great to work with and the variety of music they offered was a big hit with our audience. We received many, many positive comments.  On a scale of 1 to 10, MHE is an 11!"
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~ By Martha Rolf, Concert Series Committee of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rockford, IL following our concert. (2017)

"The Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble, led by director John Behnke for one number, performed several times, including an unconducted, memorized number from the lip of the stage. They played with spirit, precision, and the almost balletic grace the bells require."

~ By Elaine Schmidt, Special to the Journal Sentinel, following our performance with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at their Holiday Pops concert. (2015)

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