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Londonderry schools accept donation of three‑octave handbell set for music program
Summary
A parent and a local church donated a complete, three‑octave handbell set with cases, tables and music — estimated value about $25,000 — and the board accepted the gift unanimously.
The Londonderry School Board voted Feb. 18 to accept a donation of a full three‑octave handbell set and supporting equipment — including cases, performance tables, polishing supplies and a filing cabinet of music — from members of a local church.
Devin DeBernardo, the district's high‑school music teacher, described the set as complete and in good working order; the presentation said replacement parts for normal maintenance are modest and that the district could start an after‑school handbell club to build interest. The donor contact, parent Kristen McAuliffe, said the instruments came from Christian Orchard Fellowship Church and the church was offering the full set.
DeBernardo said the district would initially run the handbells as an after‑school club to gauge student interest and could expand to involve middle and elementary grades in the future. The board approved accepting the donation by a unanimous voice vote recorded as 5‑0.
Board members thanked the donor and praised the potential enrichment for students. The district said there is no anticipated cost to accept the equipment and that parent volunteers have offered instructional support to help start the program.
