The award-winning MINISTRY OF BELLz (MOB) was established in June 2007, with its objective of creating an active community handbell ensemble for current and former school ringers, to continue their passion in the art of handbell ringing. The ‘MINISTRY OF BELLZ Limited’ was incorporated in Singapore as a “not-for-profit” arts organisation in April 2013.
As Singapore's Premiere & only-Independent handbell ensemble, the team has amassed more than 450 shows including performances in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, UK, Indonesia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, South Korea, Thailand & Taiwan.
The team's repertoire includes Christmas Carols, Children Tunes, Evergreens, Latin, Disney, Contemporary, Jazz, Fusion, Collection of Singapore & Asian Tunes, effectively fusing the genres with a wide array of ethnic percussive & keyboard instruments, creating a Truly UNIQUELY SINGAPOREAN & DISTINCTLY MOB HANDBELL SOUND.
Our members include London College of Music (LCM) Level 4 & 5 certified Ringers, GOLD w/HONOURS, GOLD & SILVER Award ringers from the Singapore Youth Festival, School Music Teachers, as well as Handbells/Chimes Instructors.
In 2013, the MOB successfully launched its MOB Community/Charity Program, to reach out to the community and under-privileged. The MOB has 4 programs endorsed under the NAC-AEP for schools. The MOB was the 1st arts group in Singapore to have successfully organised and presented a sensory/autism-friendly concert in Singapore, in January 2016 at the Victoria Theatre. The MOB also supports the MOE-NIE in music teacher-education by providing ensemble experiences & assessments to teacher-trainees.
The MOB achieved the Gold with Honours Award, in addition to a Gold & Silver Awards at the Hong Kong International Handbell Olympics 2013. The MOB also co-organised & anchored the Singapore Book of Records LARGEST HANDBELL ENSEMBLE projects in 2013 & 2017, & is a proud holder of the LONGEST HANDBELL PERFORMANCE (24hrs non-stop) records in Singapore.
The MOB was founded, funded & led by multiple-SYF Gold & Gold with Honours plus three-time NAC Friend of the Arts Award recipient, BABA (Dr) DAMIEN LIM. The MOB is a major supporter of the “Handbell Ringers of Singapore (HRSG) Guild & the “London College of Music (LCM) Handbell Examinations”.
Coming together with the common passion of Handbells Ringing & Music Making, the ensemble is recognised as a "Leader in Handbells Music" in Singapore & Southeast Asia.
Our Mission:
“A 21st Century-class Handbell Ensemble on the World-Class stage, continuously Redefining & Re-Inventing the art-form, Making it Connectable & Relevant to Today’s Society”.