On November 19, 2016, 664 handbell musicians from across the country gathered at the Mall of America to break the Guinness World Record for largest handbell ensemble. The event, which was organized by Handbell Musicians of America, Salvation Army, and Mall of America, gained local and national news attention. To qualify for the record, all 664 musicians had to perform a 5 minute piece while being monitored by Guinness World Record observers. Hart Morris was commissioned to create the arrangement and conduct the mass choir. Since I wasn’t able to attend the event, I’ll let those in attendance tell the story through their social media feeds and #TheBigRing.
#TheBigRing pic.twitter.com/jTa5l1pcXZ
— Jacqueline Thompson (@jktlb) November 19, 2016
Let it ring! Nearly 700 musicians gathered in the Rotunda for #TheBigRing to break the @GWR for largest handbell ensemble! @salarmynorth pic.twitter.com/LYyTKG9hlo
— Mall of America (@mallofamerica) November 19, 2016
@GWR #GuinnessWorldRecord for #handbell performance BROKEN! 664 ringers for #TheBigRing @mallofamerica for @salarmynorth! pic.twitter.com/WE7uOK5ero
— Tiff Pua (@tiffpua) November 19, 2016
@DudePerfect does he look familiar? We broke the record for largest handbell ensemble (Photo cred. to my friend Lincoln) #TheBigRing pic.twitter.com/U70Qvi2FA7
— Tim Soper (@tsoper63) November 19, 2016
700 people break @GWR to kick off @salarmynorth bell ringing season #TheBigRIng https://t.co/ftw9icmZYo
— FOX 9 (@MyFOX9) November 20, 2016
What a joy to work with Sara from @mallofamerica and Jenny from the Handbell Musicians of America on #TheBigRing! We did it ladies! 🎉🔔 @GWR pic.twitter.com/Q7Ol5KQC2V
— Julie Orlando (@julieorlando) November 19, 2016
