Activities for Retarded Children & Adults (ARC) Hand Bell Choir
The ARC Hand Bell Choir interprets of the seasonal favorite, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” Since 1985, the Bell Choir has performed throughout the community in churches, schools, businesses and for holiday and special events in hotels. The bell ringers entertain with selections of traditional Christmas and Hanukkah music. Their popularity keeps them busy, especially during the holiday months.
The Bell Choir is the brainchild of Dixie Henrikson, the original co-founder and musical director of ARC who passed away in April 2006. Dixie drew inspiration from a hand bell choir in her home state of Missouri and envisioned this for her ARC "Kids." A local businessman offered to buy the first set of expensive hand bells with the promise the Choir would entertain at his business holiday party. The promise was kept and the Choir was well on the way to what has become just one of ARC's successful programs. Dixie created a program that facilitates approximately 120 clients with weekly activities and respite for families.
Jane Sarture, who now directs the choir, came on board in 1991 as a day program counselor for the ARC developmentally disabled clients. With her proficient musical talents - as pianist, singer and editor of musical selections for the choir - she carries on the program begun by Dixie.
Each adult and child bell ringer plays at least two English hand bells. The hand bell instrument enables this developmentally disabled group to learn how to play musical notes via a color-coded system. The performers are accompanied by a keyboardist while they follow the musical director’s lead. They view their notes from a scroll on the director’s podium in front of the bell choir.
Through music, the hand bell choir has learned one of life’s important lessons - how to work together. They have learned to produce music collaboratively. They load the ARC vans with their many pieces of equipment, then set it up and break it down again after the performance. Each step takes them about 20 minutes, but they develop a great sense of accomplishment and their audiences are made aware of the talents that can be brought out in people with disabilities.
The organization has received recognition for their community service and work with the developmentally disabled from Los Angeles by various service groups, such as the Rotary and Knights of Columbus and the Angel of the Year Award.
