Ringing in the holidays in Streamwood

A group of talented suburban musicians rang in the holidays - quite literally - Sunday at the Poplar Creek Public Library in Streamwood.

More than 100 music lovers listened to the handbell choir Random Ringers play songs such as "Good King Wenceslas," "Up On the Housetop " and "We Three Kings."

"People are kind of shocked that we can get the sound that we get. They tell us that it sounds peaceful," director Beth McFarland said. "Some people have never heard bells before. They are pleasantly surprised and enjoy it a lot."

The Random Ringers, an 14-member ensemble, performed popular and classic holiday music on five octaves of Schulmerich Bells and three octaves of Malmark Handchimes.

For 21 years, the community-based choir has been entertaining with handbell music in the North and Northwest suburbs. They perform secular, popular and religious pieces at churches, libraries, senior centers and elsewhere.