The Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble

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2018-2020 Ringers
Over the past 17 years, the Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble (MHE) has gained wide popularity in our community and beyond. MHE is an auditioned community handbell ensemble under the direction of Kaethe Grabenhofer with fourteen ringers who play 73 handbells and 73 hand chimes.

Within these 17 years, MHE has become known for amazing memorized performances, for premiering new arrangements of popular music, as well as being the recording choir for AGEHR Publishing. They have been guest performers with the Midwest Vocal Express, Bel Canto Chorus, Present Music and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. In fact, MHE has performed five times with MSO under conductors: Doc Severinsen, Stuart Chafetz, Jeff Tyzik, and Andreas Delfs.

Over the past four years, MHE has expanded their reach by taking mini-tours to Minnesota, South Dakota and Michigan performing by invitation at the Area 7 Handbell Festival in Sioux Falls in 2016 and most recently, in the summer of 2018, played the closing concert of the National Seminar for the Handbell Musicians of America in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In May of 2013, the Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble became a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  Their mission is "To further the art of handbell ringing by educating, inspiring and informing others on the art form" by showcasing advanced handbell repertoire while being a musical resource for the Milwaukee metropolitan area and beyond.

MHE has recorded two CDs, An American Sampler (boogie-woogie blues, jazz, gospel and more) and their more recent release, An MHE Christmas Celebration.  Each CD may be purchased for $15 or order both for $25! Contact us to order yours today!
*An MHE Christmas Celebration may be purchased online. Visit cdbaby to order your copy!*


Auditions

MHE holds auditions every two years, unless otherwise noted. The next auditions will be held in August of 2020. Contact us if you would like to audition. 

Rehearsals

MHE holds regular rehearsals every other Monday night at St. John's Lutheran Church in Glendale. Rehearsals begin at 6:15 pm and end at 8:45 pm. Occasionally, MHE will meet every week depending on their concert schedule or for sectional rehearsals.

Scheduling

Whether it's a seasonal concert, a corporate event or any other church, school or business function, please consider the Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble as a musical resource. MHE also provides traveling workshops to educate others on the beautiful art form of handbell ringing. Email us for more information regarding fees and scheduling.