The Emerald Bells were formed in 1991 by a group of handbell ringers who were interested in playing for local schools to educate children about handbells. The idea for a handbell ensemble originated with Judi Churchill Opalak, a member of the board of the Education Enrichment Foundation of Greenwood County. This organization supports public schools with small grants to teachers for innovative projects in the classroom. One of its Great Idea Grants in 1990 was called Munchin' to Music at Lakeview Elementary School. Each school day for a month, Lakeview students enjoyed a variety of musical performances by local musicians during their lunch time. Mrs. Opalak, who had played handbells for many years with the First Presbyterian Church handbell choir, was so taken with the idea of children being exposed to many different kinds of music and musical instruments that she organized the Emerald Bells to play for children in other schools in the community.
Since 1991, the Emerald Bells have played at many of the elementary schools, both public and private in Greenwood, as well as civic organizations, churches, retirement centers and nursing homes. Thanks to the generosity of First Presbyterian Church, the Emerald Bells are able to use the church's handbells when they perform and rehearse.

"Have bells, will travel" is their slogan!

Emerald Bell pictures! Click   here