SALT LAKE CITY -- The Wesley Bell Ringers began 50 years ago when a few teenagers at a local church decided to try something new, and to celebrate those 50 years the group preformed Saturday at Abravanel Hall.
The group currently consists of 37 teenagers, each responsible to keep count of the music and ring their bells at the right time.
The group has had about 450 members during its 50 years, but this group of 37 is the largest group they’ve had at one time.
Terry Waite, Wesley Bell Ringers director, said the teens are mostly members of the same church.
“They come from high schools all over the valley,” he said. “I'd say two-thirds of them are members of our church, we're from Christ United Methodist Church, and others are friends and acquaintances who have been brought into the choir.”
The teens practice about four hours each week, and they also help raise funds to keep the choir going. More than 300 former members of the choir attended Saturday’s performance.
