Japanese handbell choir to perform

The Glee Handbell Choir of Tokyo, Japan, will perform in Northwestern College's DeWitt Theatre Arts Center on Tuesday, July 26, at 7:30 p.m.

The choir, which tours the States every other year, has performed to enthusiastic audiences in the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif.; at the Handbell Exploration in Phoenix; and on television and radio in Japan and elsewhere.

From Meiji Gakuin Higashimurayama High School and Meiji Gakuin Junior High School, the choir has been part of the school's Christian program since 1978. This year's 17-member handbell choir is touring the Twin Cities, Omaha, Waterloo, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and California.

Directors of the choir are Takanobu Onoda and Kazuyoshi Inagaki. Tour director Nori Odate is a 1980 alumnus of Northwestern College.

In addition to the concert, the group will give a handbell workshop July 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. in DeWitt Theatre Arts Center. No admission will be charged for the workshop or concert, but donations will be received.

The event is sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council and Northwestern College Intercultural Affairs.

For more information, check www.orangecityarts.net.