Larry and Carla Sue, handbell clinicians, began ringing handbells in 1987… on different continents! They each rang with several ensembles in England and the US. Carla performed with the South East Regional Bell Orchestra (SERBO) and the Rowland Ringers. Within British handbell circles, she was also known for being a member of two ensembles: the trio Pizzazz (which represented the UK in a festival in Tallinn, Estonia), and the Finchampstead group Inspiration (which was nominated for a Queen’s Award for charitable service in 2012).
Larry rang with several church handbell choirs, and was a member of Bay Bells, a long-running West Coast handbell ensembles. He is best-recognized as a bass ringing specialist. For eight years (2005-2013) was the Artistic Figurehead and conceptual founder of Low Ding Zone, the World’s First Bass Handbell Ensemble. He also authored of the Bass Ringer’s Notebook, an internationally recognized reference volume on the subject of bass handbell ringing.
Larry and Carla met online on a site for handbell aficionados, and later got to know each other on Facebook and Skype. They (finally!) married in September 2012. True to the form of the relationship, they livestreamed their wedding for family and friends.
They are West Michigan’s Smallest Handbell Choir, specializing in playing duets written for eight handbells. They have transformed that genre from a novice educational medium to full-scale professional repertoire. Their performance music includes hymns, Christmas carols, folk songs, and classical works. These works are available for purchase at Choraegus, along with works for six, twelve, and sixteen handbells; full-sized handbell choirs; handbell ensembles of various sizes; and choral/vocal scores.
As performers and handbell clinicians, they are available for concerts, church services, weddings, memorial services, background music, workshops, and classes.