Tue 7/15 @ 7PM

There are orchestras and chamber groups and choirs of all types regularly touring through this area, performing at concert halls and churches. But it’s rare that you’ll get to hear a group like the Arsis Handbell Ensemble, hailing from Estonia.

The group was founded in 1993 by conductor Aivar Mäe with 12 members. Its growth has been explosive. It now has two schools and several concert ensembles, each with 10-12 members. It has toured all over the world, played major festivals and records more than a dozen albums. One of its ensembles is currently on tour in the U.S. playing dates around its July 11 showcase appearance at the Pinnacle 2025 handbell festival in Wichita Kansas July 9-12.

Hopefully, they’ll be on a musical high from that experience when they arrive in Akron to perform this week at the First Congregational Church of Akron, located downtown. on the University of Akron campus. The concert is free and open to the public. Freewill offerings to support the ensemble are welcome.

Learn more about the group and the handbell subculture at arsis.ee/en/.