The premier handbell ensemble in St. Cloud, Minnesota
Great River Resonance exists to bring vibrant, high-quality handbell music to the widest possible audience and to grow handbell ringing through education for ringers and communities of all ages.
Great River Resonance (GRR) is the premier community handbell ensemble in the greater St. Cloud, MN area. Established in 2021 under the direction of Jordan Goodwater and incorporated as a Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2022, GRR plays on five octaves of Schulmerich Handbells, two octaves of Schulmerich Silver Melody Bells, and seven octaves of Malmark Choirchimes, and draws ringers from throughout Central Minnesota. GRR's repertoire ranges from secular to sacred, both cutting edge and classic.
In addition to our regular concert offerings, GRR is proud to host sight-reading sessions for those interested in new handbell music as well as handbell techniques classes several times a year.
GRR rings two seasons a year, fall and spring, each built on a rehearsal cycle of about ten weeks and ending in public concerts. We also partner with area churches, take part in Handbell Musicians of America Area 7 festivals, and host sight-reading sessions and handbell technique classes. Our repertoire is routinely at Handbell Musicians of America level 4, with some level 4+ and level 5 works.
Great River Resonance is an independent Minnesota nonprofit and 501(c)(3) organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. Ringers join by invitation and come from about seven area churches. If you're an experienced ringer interested in joining us, get in touch.
We choose concert venues with step-free access wherever possible, and our concerts are free or low-cost. If you need an accommodation to attend, contact us ahead of the concert and we'll do our best to help.
All are welcome. No tickets required; a free-will donation is appreciated.
This community benefit concert features short sets from several area choirs. GRR is honored to be a part of this event again!
Great River Resonance exists to bring vibrant, high-quality handbell music to our communities, and your support makes that possible. From purchasing music and maintaining instruments to expanding our outreach and programming, every gift directly supports what you hear in the concert hall. Donations of any size make a difference and ensure that Great River Resonance can continue to ring for years to come.
What does a gift do? About $80 buys one new piece of music for the whole ensemble. About $400 buys a table and foam padding of our own to replace borrowed equipment. Larger gifts bring us closer to our long-term goal of adding a sixth and seventh octave of bells.
Donate to GRRGreat River Resonance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 88-0599615. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
GRR performs for churches, community venues, festivals, and libraries across Central Minnesota. We're based in St. Cloud and regularly travel within about 100 miles.
That depends on your space and your event. We can bring anything from a quartet to the full ensemble, which sets up at tables in a U shape and needs an open, level floor area, load-in access, and nearby parking. Tell us about your space and we'll suggest what fits.
116 8th Avenue SE, Little Falls, MN 56345
90 Riverside Drive SE, St. Cloud, MN 56304
25 8th Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301
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A few acknowledgements from Great River Resonance – these folks deserve recognition too!
Our bells and chimes are a combination of Schulmerich and Malmark. We get the best of both worlds!
We're a part of the Handbell Musicians of America, and we proudly represent Area 7 (MN, WI, ND, and SD).
Finally, thanks to Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Atonement Lutheran Church in St. Cloud for providing the bells, chimes, and rehearsal facilities.