Capital Ringers is a new community handbell ensemble located in Dover, Delaware. We ring 5 octaves of Schulmerich handbells and 5 octaves of Malmark choirchimes. We are dedicated to musical excellence and service to the community through artistic handbell performances and educational outreach to promote the art of English handbell ringing. Our regular rehearsals are Sunday evenings at 7PM at Wesley College Chapel, Division & Bradford St., Dover, DE.

We are a member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) Area III.

We are available to play for your event (concerts, weddings, special celebrations and dinners, community events, civic and corporate functions, and Christmas parties). We are also available to conduct reading sessions and workshops for local ringers.

If you are interested in becoming a member of Capital Ringers or want to book a performance, please e-mail us at director@capitalringers.org We’re also interested in those who may want to become substitute ringers.

Members of Capital Ringers

Linda S. Simms Dover, DE is the founder and artistic director of Capital Ringers, Inc. She is the also the director of handbells at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Dover, Delaware. Linda earned her master’s degree in music from West Chester University in Pennsylvania. A past Delaware chairman for Area III of AGEHR (The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers), Linda continues to mentor and assist handbell directors and ringers by conducting workshops. She is currently the Chair-Elect for AGEHR, Area III. She has taught and conducted at local, Area I, Area III, and National AGEHR events. Recently, Linda has been appointed to serve on the National AGEHR Education Committee. After teaching music in public schools for 20 years, Linda opened a full-time piano studio. In addition, Linda is a certified group fitness instructor at Gold’s Gym, Dover. Linda shares her “free time” with husband, Jim, and sons, Nathan and Jason.

Randy Bachand is originally from Cape Cod, where he got his conducting start at the tender age of 16. Now from Easton Maryland, Randy is the director of the Easton Church of the Brethren's Peachblossom Bells, and he also sings with Bach to the Future. Randy currently serves as a District Representative of the AGEHR for Area III. A self-described "jack of all trades", he works for a yacht interior business, does voice-over work, and is a stained glass artist. 
 

Renee Baldwin has been playing bells with the Easton Church of the Brethren since 2003 and the Capital Ringers since 2007. In addition to handbells, Renee plays hammered dulcimer in Alexander's Goodtime Band for the Dover English Country Dancers.  She enjoys traditional music jams and is always looking for people to play with. Her sons also play bells, and one is learning the dulcimer.

Linda Coles joined Capital Ringers in 2007. Prior to moving to Delaware in 2006 she played handbells for a number of years at the First United Methodist Church of Haddon Heights, NJ.  She and her husband Craig are retired and live in the Smyrna area with their two whippets, Montgomery and Rosie. Linda also volunteers at the Smyrna Public Library. She enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with her ten grandchildren. 

Karin Faulhaber learned to play handbells while attending college at Wake Forest University. Since then she has played in church choirs. She is currently a member of the Bells of Praise at the Presbyterian Church of Dover. Karin works as the Human Resource Manager for Sitel in Milford and is the mother of two children Kristin and Drew.

Karen Jerolamon* of Dover began ringing with The Bells of St. Andrew’s in 1993. She is the librarian at her alma mater, Dover High School. After graduating from Catawba College, Karen and her stand-up comedian husband lived in numerous states landing, finally, in North Jersey to be nearer to New York City clubs. Now back in Dover, Karen enjoys her job, church activities, reading, and cross-stitching. She is the proud grandmother of two beautiful grandchildren.

 Dawn O’Connell started ringing handbells as a founding member of the Mitten Memorial Handbell choir at Wyoming United Methodist 19  years ago. She expanded her enjoyment of ringing when she joined Capital Ringers and has played bass bells for the last 3 years.  She is employed at Bayhealth Medical as a certified pharmacy technician.   Dawn has 2 grown children and 2 grand-dogs and  lives in Wyoming with her husband. 

Andy Siegel was born and raised in Dover, DE. He joined the U. S. Navy after high school and retired as a Chief Petty Officer after 21 years of service in nuclear submarines. He is currently employed with the City of Dover as a network administrator. He plays trumpet in the church orchestra at Grace Presbyterian Church and has been a coveted bass in many choirs over the years. He is married to his high school sweetheart, and they have five wonderful children.

Velvet Siegel is an experienced musician who earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary music education from the University of Hawaii. This is her third year as a Capital Ringer. She is currently the fifth grade band director at William Henry Middle School and founder of “Capital Strings.” She’s married to her high school sweetheart, too. In addition to her children and foster children, she’s also got a gaggle of animals who reside at Ohana Farm.

Vicki Stockslager* has enjoyed ringing with the Mitten Memorial Handbells at Wyoming Methodist Church (WUMC) since that choir was formed in 1987.  She also plays vibes for WUMC ‘s Praise Band, and piano for the Choralier Children’s Choir.  Vicki is DelMarVa Regional Supervisor for MidAtlantic Farm Credit, where she has enjoyed working for more than twenty years.  A Delaware native, Vicki resides in Camden with her husband, Al, and daughters, Bree and Katie.

Ruthie Vidrine* is a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church where she sings in the Chancel Choir and has rung in the Bells of St. Andrew’s for the past 13 years. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. Married to her husband, Bill, Ruthie is now retired from teaching and works as a sales associate. Her hobbies include bowling, playing piano, traveling, and spoiling her seven grandchildren.

Jim Willard* has been ringing handbells since 1985 with the Bells of St. Andrew’s during which time he has participated in many handbell festivals. Jim is the assistant director of the youth handbell choir, the RAD Ringers, at St. Andrew’s. When not ringing, Jim is an inside salesperson for United Electric Supply Co. in Dover. In his spare time, he enjoys watching NASCAR racing, NFL football, and spending time with his daughter and family.

* denotes Charter Member

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