Welcome
Welcome to the website of the Bay View Week of Handbells. Founded in 1978 by Donald E. Allured, this event has become a destination for advanced handbell ringers from throughout the world. The intensive five-day event takes place in northern Michigan on the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan. Ringers are assigned positions in ten choirs, using sets of handbells and chimes ranging from five to eight octaves. The rehearsals begin at noon on Monday and continue through Thursday afternoon. The closing concert is held at 7:30 pm on Thursday evening and is professionally videotaped. The week concludes with a farewell breakfast on Friday morning.
Our Concert
The 2026 concert will take place on Thursday, August 13 at 7:30pm in the John M. Hall Auditorium. We would be delighted to have you join us! Admission is free with a special offering taken to benefit the Bay View Summer Music Academy Scholarship Fund.
NEVER PARTICIPATED IN THE BVWOH EVENT ?
Each year ten new bronze-level musicians are invited to attend. If you are an experienced bronze-level handbell musician interested in attending the event in the future, you will find the application form on the Information tab. This year’s application deadline was December 1, 2025.
2026-new-attendeesYOUNG RINGER SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2026
We consider that encouraging young adult ringers to attend the BVWOH is essential to our future. Thanks to the Carl Wiltse Scholarship Fund, financial assistance in the amount of $750 is offered to one or two bronze-level ringers between the ages of 18 and 30. The application form will be found on the 2026 Information tab. The application deadline was December 15, 2025.
2026-Wiltse-Scholarship-RecipientsHAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
You are encouraged to seek answers to your questions by contacting Fred Gramann at gramannfred@gmail.com
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