Opus Handbell Ensemble, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization, has been a group of aspiring musicians in Modesto since 1992. They are currently 14 ringers strong and now under the direction of Lisa Traughber, as artistic director Rich Colla retired in June of 2024. With over 150 combined years of ringing experience, they perform on five-plus octaves of Malmark handbells, five-plus octaves of Malmark tone chimes and occasionally, a selection of Whitechapel handbells.
Handbells are a unique instrument requiring precision eye-hand coordination, music reading ability and a willingness to work as a team. Repertoire for this art form ranges from classical Bach to Heavy Metal and Rock 'n' Roll. Opus is known throughout the handbell community for reflecting, in bronze, the artistic interpretation of the director. They bring musicality and depth to a performance beyond the expectations of the listening and viewing audience.
Opus has spearheaded the art of handbell ringing in the Central Valley with themed concerts throughout the year. Opus has also hosted and conducted local workshops to raise the level of awareness of handbell ringing in the Modesto community. One of their greatest joys has been to take this artistic medium into the music mainstream through local schools by broadening the dreams of students who have never seen or heard a handbell choir.
Opus has played on the Community Concert Series in Porterville, four years on the Manteca Kindred Arts Council Concert Series and three years on the Sonora St. James’ Concert Series. They also played on two occasions for the Evensong Series in Lodi. These fine musicians have attended festivals and workshops from Riverside to the Bay Area. They were a featured choir to ring at Pinnacle 2000 in Las Vegas, and the Handbell Musicians of America Area Twelve Conference at Belmont in 2006. In June of 2008, Opus joined the Trinity United Koinonia Choir in Coventry, England for an International Choir Festival tour, and were the only full handbell ensemble to do so.
Opus has been the host ensemble along with seven other handbell groups for the Modesto Salvation Army Bells of Blessing benefit concert since 2010. For the first time, by an audition process, Opus was chosen to be the featured Showcase Ensemble for the Handbell Musicians of America Area Twelve Bell Odyssey Conference held at UC Davis, in June of 2010. They were honored again in 2016, as a Showcase Ensemble for Area Twelve “Handbell Hop” Conference held in Modesto.
Opus was featured on the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert at the Gallo Center in 2007, 2008 and 2010. They were also featured guest musicians at the Modesto Symphony’s Candlelight Concert held at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in 2009 through the present. In 2012 Opus presented a handbell drama/concert as part of the Arts Education Program of the Gallo Center for the Arts and paired it with an evening public concert through 2016. A stand-alone Christmas concert was contracted every other year: 2018, 2021, 2023. A new contract was signed with the Stockton Haggin Museum as part of their featured events in December in 2019, 2022, and 2023.
Opus having recorded two CDs: “Rhythmic Intensity” in 2000 and “An Opus Christmas” in 2009 brings many selections from these projects to life during their live concerts.
Opus is grateful to Trinity United Presbyterian Church, which graciously shares its facility and all of the handbell equipment, enabling us to do what we love—ringing! To Opus alumni, past and present, and to family and friends who understand the many hours of preparation: “We love you and thank you for your never-ending support.”
Opus is a member of the Handbell Musicians of American, a national organization established in this country in 1954. www.HandbellMusicians.org
For more information about Opus, please contact Director, Lisa Traughber at 209-527-2214 or visit our Facebook page or website at opushandbell.org