Thanks
to the mediation of Thomas Flynn, conductor of the ‘Southminster
Ringers’ from Pittsburgh (USA), pastor responsible for music
and singing in the Presbiterian Church in Pittsburgh, in 1999 the
company Schulmerich Carillons gave three octaves (i.e. 37 pieces)
of handbells to the Evangelical-Reform Parish in Zelów, Poland.
The biggest one was engraved with the sentence ‘For God’s
glory’, the aim of all our parish’s ventures.
The handbells arrived the Zelów on the 5th
of March 1999. The first rehearsal took place on Saturday eight
days later, and the first concert was given on the first day of
Eastern, 4th of April 1999.
The next concerts celebrated the 500th Anniversary
of the birth of Jan Laski, the Reformer of the Church, October 1999.
After eight of its existence the band begun to render its region
even beyond it. In December 1999 they gave a concert in the National
Polish Bank; in April 2000 (the 1st Anniversary of the band) in
Zelów; in September in Legnica; in October in Zgierz and
Ozorków; in December in Kutno. In 2001 the band played :
in January in Tomaszów Mazowiecki (together with Stanislaw
Soyka and Schola Cantorum from Belchatów) during the charity
concert organised to help to save the monuments of Tomaszów;
in April during its second Anniversary in Zelów, and, as
the concert had been advertised in the local media, it gathered
lots of music lovers from the whole Lódz province.
In June 2001 the band toured across the Czech Republic.
They played in Prague, Marianskie Laznie, Czeski Cieszyn, Liberec,
Tepla, Teplice, Cheba and Šumperk. Since that we played several
times in Zelow and our neighbourhood also for handicapped and in
a voluntary style. Since that time they used to be welcomed in many
different places to play and worship. Also by “Wielka Orkiestra
Swiatecznej Pomocy” Jurek Owsiak’s.
The handbell bands are known as ‘Zelowskie
Dzwonki Parafii Ewangelicko-Reformowanej w Zelowie’, i.e.
‘Zelów Handbells of Evangelic-Reform Parish in Zelów’.
Presently there are three full bands, 11 musicians
each, consisting of young people aged 11-12, 13-15 and 16-19. Altogether,
33 young people play the handbells under the supervision of Master
J. Wiera Jelinek and her assistants: Ewa Milena Jelinek and Emila
Kubik.
Music nobles...Music softens one’s behaviour...
These widely known polish proverbs are nice, but
do not show the whole effect music has on young people. It supports
and enhances the positive development of youth’s personality.
It makes them sensitive and sensible. But that’s not all.
We’ve noticed the development of useful skills such as co-operation,
working in teams and responsibility. These merits are essential
in the mature life. Our work with 33 young people makes their maturing
process more harmonious. Our students’ work deserves admiration.
Every single band member faces very high expectations. It is so,
because every member should attend all rehearsals. Even the lack
of one person makes hearing the full harmony of the composition
very difficult. Besides, everyone learns and remembers not only
his or her part, but also the rest of the melody. Even the lack
of one tone or a mistake is easily heard by a skilful band. Those
teenagers that dedicate certain hours from every week of their lives
deserve praise, encouragement and help.
It is worth knowing that ‘Zelowskie Dzwonki
Parafii Ewangelicko-Reformowanej w Zelowie’ is the only band
playing handbells in Poland. So far, we know about existence of
one such band in Germany. We’re in process of making contact
with it.
We encourage you to support the work of
the band ‘Zelowskie Dzwonki’ Music emerging from the young artists’ hands brings you spiritual experiences and emotions. Come and see for yourself during the next concert.
