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[STATION NAME] Rings in the Holidays
With the Raleigh Ringers

They're the latest rage in the music world. They've performed in many venues and can play any style—classical, contemporary, religious, country, or even rock and roll. Who are they? The Raleigh Ringers. On [INSERT AIRDATE AND TIME], you can experience this exhilarating group on [INSERT STATION CALL LETTERS] with a new holiday special, The Raleigh Ringers: One Winter Evening at Meymandi, in Raleigh's beautiful Meymandi Concert Hall.

Bells are some of the oldest instruments known to the world. Since its introduction in New England in the early 1900s, the art of handbell ringing expanded throughout the United States—thanks largely to its popularity in liturgical circles. The Raleigh Ringers take handbells a few steps further, incorporation different styles of music in any type of venue. Their tours have taken them to the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West Coast and even France.

Under the direction of David M. Harris, The Raleigh Ringers is a community handbell choir consisting of auditioned musicians performing sacred and secular music. Performing on the largest collection of handbells in the world, The Raleigh Ringers have earned widespread recognition. Their massive collection includes a seven and one-half octave set of Malmark handbells, five octaves of Whitechapel handbells, four octaves of Whitechapel Cup Bells, three octaves of Petit and Fritsen handbells, two octaves of Silver Melody Bells, and six octaves of Malmark Choirchimes—27½ octaves of bells in all.

The Raleigh Ringers: One Winter Evening at Meymandi opens with Sarajevo/Christmas Eve 12/24, the energetic Savatage/Trans-Siberian Orchestra neo-classic. Selections from The Nutcracker Suite along with more contemporary holiday favorites, including Blue Christmas and Sleigh Ride, round out the rest of the hour and the program concludes with a glorious rendition of Stille Nacht (Silent Night).

Make plans to enjoy this all-new holiday classic—The Raleigh Ringers: One Winter Evening at Meymandi, only on [INSERT STATION CALL LETTERS].

For over 40 years, American Public Television (APT) has been a major source of programming for the nation’s public television stations.  APT has more than 10,000 hours of available programming including Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter, Globe Trekker, Muhammad Ali: Through the Eyes of the World, Nightly Business Report, Rick Steves' Europe, Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home, Ballykissangel, Brian Jacques’ Redwall and The Three Tenors Christmas.  APT is known for identifying innovative programs and developing creative distribution techniques for producers.  In four decades, it has established a tradition of providing public television stations nationwide with program choices that enable them to strengthen and customize their schedules. Press should contact Donna Hardwick at 617-338-4455 ext. 129 or via email to donna_hardwick@aptonline.org. For more information about APT's programs and services, log on to www.aptonline.org.

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