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DURHAM, NC · SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026 · LIBRARY

Bell Durham Concert - Songs of Hope

The theme for our spring concert, "Songs of Hope," is intended to inspire resilience, unity and healing through music.

Freelibraryartsmusickids

An artist's still-life corner with sketches and brushes, woodcut illustration

Fig. 01 — Main Auditorium, Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St)

About the event

The theme for our spring concert, "Songs of Hope," is intended to inspire resilience, unity and healing through music.

Selections will include three new arrangements by Bell Durham Artistic Director Mitchell Eithun. The first, "Total Praise," is a handbell version of the popular composition by Richard Smallwood, the well-known gospel artist who died in December. The second, "What the World Needs Now Is Love," captures the 1965 Burt Bacharach hit recorded by Jackie DeShannon. The third, "I Dream a World," is based on the celebrated Langston Hughes poem and the choral music of André J. Thomas.

Bell Durham will be joined by two accomplished vocalists, Imani McKoy and Tyra Scott, on "I Dream a World." In addition, McKoy will be featured in "Come Sunday," a Duke Ellington piece arranged for handbells and voice by Eithun.

Another highlight of the repertoire is "The Bells," a musical setting of the Edgar Allen Poe poem for handbells and chorus by David York. The piece evokes the changing stages of life – from joyous wedding bells to mournful funeral tolls. The concert also will include handbell music from Hong Kong and Puerto Rico.

This family friendly event is free and will last about an hour.

Bell Durham is Durham’s first community handbell ensemble. Using six octaves of handbells, handchimes, and various other instruments, the ensemble plays advanced music from around the world and across the musical spectrum including traditional handbell music, classical music arranged for handbells, pieces by modern handbell composers, and seasonal classics with a handbell twist.

For more information, visit their website (https://belldurham.org/) or email (ring@belldurham.org).

Parking is available in the library parking lot or at the North Queen Street Garage located at 115 North Queen Street which is behind the apartments directly across the street from the library. Parking at the garage is free. Please bring your parking ticket to a service point for validation.

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