Feel Good Story: TISD Elementary Schools Ringing in New Opportunities through Handbell Instruments

March 21, 2025
TISD Elementary Schools Ringing in New Opportunities through Handbell Instruments

In a unique collaboration that blends tradition with creativity, the Tomball ISD Fine Arts Department has partnered with the Houston Chamber Ringers, a professional handbell ensemble, to introduce handbell instruments to elementary campuses in TISD. This new initiative began through a grant that the Houston Chamber Ringers sponsored, supplying three sets of handbells to the District.

This two-year grant supplied handbells to Decker Prairie Elementary, Creekside Forest Elementary, and Tomball Elementary. They join Canyon Pointe Elementary as the four campuses who have implemented a handbell choir on campus thus far.

The new initiative, launched this year, offers young students a chance to experience the joy of music in an interactive and hands-on way.

“Handbells are a unique instrument where every student plays one note, so it is extremely team-oriented,” said Paulette Tomlinson, TISD Director of Fine Arts. “It requires students to listen and pay attention to their fellow ringers in order to know when to play their note, ultimately, creating ownership in their music.”

The program was born out of a shared goal - to expand access to diverse musical experiences for students and nurture an early love for the arts. With the support of the Houston Chamber Ringers, many elementary students now have access to high-quality handbells, along with expert guidance from seasoned ringers.

“The teachers on these campuses who agreed to take care of the bells and teach the students how to play are also receiving professional development from the Houston Chamber Ringers,” Tomlinson said.

This partnership has allowed Tomball ISD Fine Arts to expand its musical offerings and expose students to an instrument that many have never encountered before, while also reinforcing skills that carry over into other areas of learning.

During sessions, students learn the fundamentals of handbell technique, music reading, and ensemble performance. The shimmering sound of the bells has been met with excitement and curiosity from students, many of whom are experiencing the instrument for the first time.

Teachers have said that the program not only enhances music instruction but also fosters cooperation, teamwork, patience, and listening skills. Several campuses have showcased their early learning in performances district wide and at the state level. In fact, Canyon Pointe Elementary handbell students took part in the TASA/TASB student performance back in September in Austin and Decker Prairie Elementary students performed during a holiday show at TISD’s Central Office.

The Tomball ISD Fine Arts Department hopes this is just the beginning of expanding handbell education and creating more opportunities for more campuses and students to participate.

Several handbell concerts are scheduled for the Spring semester:

• Creekside Forest Elementary: May 1 at 6 PM
• Canyon Pointe Elementary: May 8 at 9:30 AM
• Decker Prairie Elementary: Fine Arts Festival, April 26 at TMHS
• Tomball Elementary: Fine Arts Festival, April 26 at TMHS