About Us

Every December since 2011, L.A. Bronze has rung by candlelight alongside the Pasadena
Symphony at All Saints Church, performing from memory, without tables or stands, for
thousands of listeners across the northern Los Angeles region. Founded in 2010, this
semi-professional ensemble brings an elegant, musical approach to the instrument, ringing
five octaves of handbells and five octaves of handchimes, along with two octaves of Silver
Melody Bells generously on loan to the ensemble. Its mission is to inspire audiences
through musical excellence, to foster the growth of handbell ringing, and to give its
musicians the opportunity to master challenging literature.
Drawing ringers from across the region, from Santa Clarita to Palm Springs, L.A. Bronze
proudly reflects the diversity of the city it represents. Its members include directors,
educators, and arrangers who lead handbell, choral, and school music programs throughout
Southern California, and two founding members still ring with the ensemble today. Three
Artistic Directors have shaped the ensemble’s sound: Kemp Smeal (2010–2014), Alex
Guebert (2014–2022), and Dr. Lynn G. Atkins, Jr., who was appointed in 2022 and is now
in his fifth season.
In 2017, L.A. Bronze performed at the Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar in
Anaheim. Each spring, the ensemble presents a concert series in venues from North
Hollywood to Palm Desert. Beyond the concert stage, it shares its experience with other
ringers, hosting a “Back to Basics” Handbell Ringer Workshop in 2024 and a Read and
Ring session in 2026.
Many compositions by former Artistic Director Alex Guebert, a nationally published
composer, have been part of the ensemble’s identity since his tenure. To celebrate its 15th
anniversary, L.A. Bronze commissioned new arrangements from Mark Longfield (“In the
Bleak Midwinter” and “I Had a Farm” from Out of Africa) and Greg Urban (“Love Theme”
from Cinema Paradiso). The ensemble is always eager to expand the literature for
handbells through new commissions, bringing fresh voices to the instrument and new
listeners to the music.
Whether ringing beside a symphony orchestra or teaching in a workshop, L.A. Bronze
strives to be an example of excellence in handbell performance and education and to help
carry handbells into the musical mainstream.