From Dec. 5 to Dec. 7, St. Olaf will host its annual Christmas Fest performances in Skoglund Athletic Center. The ensembles typically included in Christmas Fest are the St. Olaf Orchestra, St. Olaf Choir, Chapel Choir, Cantorei, Manitou Singers and Viking Chorus. This year, another group is joining: the St. Olaf Handbell Choir.

A handbell choir is a group of people — often called “ringers” — who perform music using a set of handheld bells. The St. Olaf Handbell Choir, known as Ole Bells, is one of four handbell ensembles at St. Olaf. This will be their sixth appearance in Christmas Fest. Associate Professor of Music and conductor of the St. Olaf Orchestra Chung Park invited Ole Bells to join one of the orchestra’s solo pieces.

“I’ve never played handbells with an orchestra before — and I don’t think any of us have — so that’s been a new experience,” Ole Bells member Katie Nail ’26 said. “I think it’s really fun to play along with them.”

Ole Bells began rehearsing for Christmas Fest on Nov. 1. In rehearsals, the ensemble has focused on both musicality and the visual element of bell ringing.

“We’ve been practicing every rehearsal, upping the tempo each time,” said Jill Mahr, adjunct instructor in music (handbells, flute). “We always have to think ahead, and I want them to be very visual. They’re quite talented, so it didn’t take them long to learn [the piece].”

Ole Bells is excited to showcase handbells in front of a larger audience.

“It’s a fast, exuberant, sparkly piece,” Mahr said. “Handbells, being so visual, are really a feast for the eyes as well as the ears.”