MONROE — The Ringing Badgers Handbell Ensemble of Madison, under the direction of Mark Bloedow, will present a free one-hour concert at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 at the United Methodist Church of Monroe, 2227 4th Street. 

Titled “Sounds of the Season,” the program will feature a mix of festive music, including traditional and popular Christmas favorites, and a setting of “Winter Wonderland” by Joel Raney. This is the third year the handbell ensemble has presented a concert at the Monroe United Methodist Church.

The Ringing Badgers Handbell Ensemble, part of the Madison-based Maestro Productions, is an auditioned community handbell choir that includes musicians from primarily southern Wisconsin. In addition to Madison-area performances, the group has performed at festival conferences of the national handbell organization, Handbell Musicians of America, in Duluth, Minnesota; La Crosse; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and most recently, Rochester, Minnesota. The ensemble enjoys an exciting performance schedule each season presenting concerts in collaboration with Maestro Production’s ensembles, as well as guest appearances with other groups and solo concerts.

Director Mark Bloedow is an Assistant Professor of Music at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, Wisconsin; the Executive/Artistic Director of Maestro Productions, Inc.; and Organist/Music Director at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Madison. He received his undergraduate degree in music from UW-Oshkosh, and a master’s degree from Concordia University in Mequon. The composer of several pieces for both organ and handbell choirs, his works appear in catalogs of major music publishing houses.

All are welcome to attend. The church is handicapped-accessible with ample off-street parking. A free-will donation for the group will be accepted.