The Chapel Ringers

The Chapel Ringers were created to function in the chapel music ministry ecumenically, supporting multi-denominational worship services, as well as performing outreach music ministry in the community. In 1989, long time choir member Mary Swicegood donated a four-octave set of Schulmerich handbells to the Memorial Chapel. This was done as a memorial to her daughter, Roberta Swicegood, who had been tragically killed in an underwater cave diving accident while working for National Geographic. That same year, Edward Asten became the founder and director of the handbell choir. At the end of the first year, Mary Swicegood enjoyed the bells so much that she added the fifth octave to the set.