Strikepoint, Duluth’s internationally-acclaimed handbell ensemble, will present a holiday concert, “A Bell Noël: Ringing in the Holidays,” at 7:00pm Friday, December 20 at First United Methodist Church (230 E. Skyline Parkway) in Duluth. Joining Strikepoint will be some of their musical friends, including organist Velda Graham Bell, flutist Melanie Sever, and a string quartet. Tickets are available at the door; the cost is $25 for adults and $10 for students and children.

Strikepoint is noted for capturing the enthusiasm of audiences with its dynamic style and accessible music. Concert selections range from a rip-roaring "Sing We Now of Christmas" to a jazzy "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" to the ever-popular "White Christmas." Reviews of Strikepoint concerts have praised their “athleticism and showmanship,” “rhythmic precision, musical nuance, and technical confidence,” with an “exceptionally creative bent!”

Strikepoint rings 6-plus octaves of bronze Schulmerich handbells with additional Malmark aluminum bells, 7 octaves of handchimes, 2 octaves of Silver Melody Bells, 3 octaves of Petit & Fritzen handbells and a variety of other instruments. The 11-member directorless ensemble is unique among touring handbell groups as a combination community/professional/church group and an adult/youth group. Dr. Derek Bromme is the new leader of the ensemble.

Strikepoint, from First United Methodist Church in Duluth, was established in 1984 by Bill Alexander and has toured each summer since 1986. Their travels have taken them to England, Scotland, Japan, Hong Kong, Sweden, Canada, Hawaii and throughout the mainland US, with performances in four national capitals. They have performed at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, Disney World in Florida, and both Disneyland and the Crystal Cathedral in California. In 2016 they were cultural exchange ambassadors to Växjö, Duluth’s Swedish sister city. This summer they were selected to represent the United States in a special concert at the 21st International Handbell Symposium in Hamamatsu, Japan.

Strikepoint concerts are designed to delight listeners. Among the comments most frequently heard after concerts, a favorite is, “If we’d known it was going to be this good, we would have made all our friends come.”
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