In 1989 in Raleigh, a group of people got together to talk about a belief they had in common. They believed that English handbells, which are beautiful percussion instruments, needed a new kind of performing group -- a group that could make handbell music so good and so entertaining that it would deserve a wide audience, deserve a place in the mainstream of instrumental music, and deserve applause, cheers, and encore after encore. The answer? The Raleigh Ringers.

The Arts Council of Moore County will present The Raleigh Ringers at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 20, at R.E. Lee Auditorium on the campus of Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, and may be purchased at the Campbell House (482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines) or by calling (910) 692-4356. MasterCard and Visa will be accepted.

Led by music director and conductor David M. Harris, The Raleigh Ringers is an internationally acclaimed, advanced community handbell choir. Since its founding in 1990, the group has been dazzling concert audiences with unique interpretations of sacred, secular and popular music, including famous rock 'n' roll tunes arranged just for handbells.

The group performs on one of the most extensive collections of bells and bell-like instruments owned by any handbell ensemble in the world. In just 18 years, The Raleigh Ringers has made a significant impact on the world's handbell music repertoire by commissioning more than 70 compositions and arrangements for handbells.

For tickets and additional information on The Raleigh Ringers concert on April 20, call the Arts Council at (910) 692-4356 or visit www.artscouncil-moore.org.