The Hastings College Handbell Choir will embark on a performing tour in western Nebraska and Colorado, Thursday, April 10. The ensemble will perform in a home concert, Tuesday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 621 N. Lincoln Ave, Hastings, Neb.  The concert is free and open to the public. 

Tour schedule:
Thursday, April 10, 7:30 p.m., McCook Memorial United Methodist Church, 105 East  E. St., McCook, Neb.
Friday, April 11, 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 130 S. 4th St., Sterling, Colo.
Sunday, April 13, 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. services, First Presbyterian Church, 531 S. College Ave., Ft. Collins, Colo.
Sunday, April 13, 7 p.m., Mountain View Presbyterian Church, Loveland, Colo.
Monday, April 14, 7:30 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 305 E. 4th St.,
Kimball, Neb.
Tuesday, April 15, 10:30 a.m., Creek Valley High School, Chappell, Neb.

The choir is directed by Dr. Byron Jensen, professor of music. He teaches courses in music history and music education methodologies. Jensen also oversees the string program and is conductor of the Hastings Symphony Orchestra. He has extensive performance experience on electric and string bass, low brass, and voice. Jensen is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, and completed master’s and doctoral degrees at Kansas State University, Manhattan. 

In the early 1980s, Jenson taught music at Banner County Schools, Harrisburg, Neb.

The Hastings College Handbell Choir was initiated in 2003. Handbells and chimes were purchased with grant money from Lilly Endowment, Inc., as part of the college’s Vocation and Values Program.
 

Students in the bell choir include:

Maddy Mayer, senior, Darleen Mayer, Omaha, Neb./Dennis Mayer, Nebraska City, Neb.
Elliott Lockwood, junior, Charles/Susan Lockwood, LaVista, Neb.
Katie Larsen, senior, Robin Larsen/Kenneth Larsen, Blair, Neb.
Lindsey Thompson, sophomore, Kent/Carol Thompson, Louisville, Colo.
Shelby Leyland, junior, Jeffrey/Jo Ann Leyland, Imperial, Neb.
Sabrina Miller, junior, Rex/Cynthia Miller, Lewellen, Neb.
Nick Henline, sophomore, Charles/Leigh Henline, North Platte, Neb.
Zach Schneider, junior, Kurt/Lucy Schneider, Black Forest, Colo.
Eric Micks, sophomore, Ernest/Elizabeth Micks, Bellevue, Neb.
Katie Smith, sophomore, Timothy/Melody Smith, Alliance, Neb.
Emily Spearman, sophomore, Steven/Donna Spearman, Superior, Colo.
(Ms.) Kallan Picha, senior, K.C./Janet Picha, Ft. Collins, Colo.
Melissa Zahller, senior, John Zahller, Westminster, Colo.
Kristen King,senior, Mark King, Ft. Calhoun, Neb./Annette Hill, Bennington, Neb.
Kara McIntire, freshman, Joel/Mary McIntire, Westminster, Colo.
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