Like the fabric and thread of a woven tapestry, we are a blend of traits and talents that produce a fine texture of music.
About Us
Tapestry began in July 2001 as a daytime ministry. The original quartet has twice expanded to a quintet. After living through the Covid-19 pandemic, we are thrilled to be rehearsing again. Our friend, Al Reese, who rang with us for several seasons has become a full-time professor at Norfolk State University and no longer has time to ring with us. We give thanks for his joy in making music, his sense of humor and for the time he spent with us. We miss him! However, we welcome back Lucy Rankin, who after stepping out for a few seasons, has rejoined us!
Tapestry performs several concerts each year, primarily at nursing homes, retirement communities, churches, civic groups, schools, and also performs in various concert series in the Tidewater area of Virginia. We enjoy ringing a wide variety of challenging repertoire and sharing the stories behind the music we play. With great anticipation, we look forward to playing for live audiences again in 2023.
Highlights of past years include attending and performing at the Handbell Musicians of America Area III Director’s Seminar, the International Handbell Symposium in Toronto, Canada, the Area III Intergenerational Handbell Festival in Hickory, NC, the Solo to Ensemble Extravaganza in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and the International Handbell Symposium in Orlando, Florida. Tapestry was a featured performing ensemble for the Tidewater Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) Region III Convention where we premiered a commissioned, unpublished quartet arrangement, Variations on "Prospect", by Michael Keller. The Ruth Morse Wilson Handbell Award from the National Federation of Music Clubs was awarded to Tapestry in 2004.
Monumental United Methodist Church in downtown Portsmouth, Virginia, sponsors Tapestry Handbell Ensemble and allows us to use their Schulmerich Handbells for rehearsals and concerts. Click on the link to learn more about our sponsoring church.
Tapestry Members:
Lynn Dash
Lynn joined Tapestry in 2012. She has been ringing handbells since 1990 and is also a member of Virginia Handbell Consort. Other musical activities include playing the flute and singing. In her spare time Lynn loves knitting, quilt making, reading and beach combing.
Ann Morgan
Ann is an orginial member of Tapestry and has been ringing handbells for more than twenty five years. She is also a charter member of Virginia Handbell Consort. Ann is an avid quilt maker and loves baseball and her beloved Orioles.
Go O's!
Lucy Rankin
