A bell choir will make itself an instrument of God’s peace at two services Sunday at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Friday, April 21, 2000

A bell choir will make itself an instrument of God’s peace at two services Sunday at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Led by Ann Flisrand, the bell choir will play a song called "Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace," composed by Kevin McChesney, one of the most prolific composers for handbell in response to the tragedy at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., last year. Fifteen people lost their lives when two students began shooting students and teachers, and eventually themselves. It is the Columbine Benefit Project.

"He was trying to figure out how to help people find something they could do to make some good come of what had happened," Flisrand explained.

The piece begins and ends with 15 chords for the 15 people who lost their lives, and is composed around the Prayer of St. Francis. The composer had hoped to have maybe 100 bell choirs play the piece during the Easter season, but as of February more than 2,200 choirs were taking part.

It also was featured in the Austin Area Ringout, a bell competition and exhibition. The three- to five-octave bell choirs that played it there played in accompaniment with two flutes. This Sunday the choir will play with two trumpets.

"It is not a difficult piece to play," Flisrand said, smiling, "and it really is beautiful.

"Also, when you think of the deaths, and the good that can come from this, it’s perfect for Easter," she said. "From what I have heard, people find this to be a very powerful piece."

The churches and choirs taking part in the Columbine Benefit Project have raised more than $3,000 for anti-violence programs, and have donated a three-octave set of bells to Columbine High School. Not only does the song remind people of what has happened, it helps to give hope for positive changes in the future, Flisrand explained.