MONROE — Help ring in the new year – literally – with a one-hour performance by the Ringing Badgers Handbell Ensemble of Madison. Directed by Dr. Mark Bloedow, the group will present its annual Sounds of the Season! concert in the Grand Hall of the Turner Hall of Monroe, 1217 17th Avenue, on Saturday, January 4, at 3:00 pm.  Although this is the first time the group will be performing at Turner Hall, it will be the ensemble’s fourth visit to Monroe, with previous appearances in January of 2019 and 2020, and December 2023. The Ringer Badgers’ Sounds of the Season! will feature a colorful selection of beloved traditional Christmas carols and arrangements of well-known popular songs of the season, which will also include guest percussionist, Greg Riss.  

The Ringing Badgers is an auditioned handbell choir based in Madison that includes handbell musicians from primarily south-central Wisconsin.  The group made its debut in 2012, and currently performs with 5 octaves of handbells and 7 octaves of handchimes, all made by the Malmark Bellcraftsmen of Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania.  The ensemble enjoys an exciting performance schedule each season presenting concerts, as well as guest appearances with other groups and solo concerts.

All are welcome to attend, with a free-will donation to be accepted for the ensemble.  To make the afternoon complete, the lower level Ratskeller Restaurant will be open following the concert.  The Ringing Badgers’ performance is the opening event of Turner Hall’s 2025 Swiss Heritage Series.  Turner Hall is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity, listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places, and is handicapped-accessible.