Marlborough: Holiday handbells concert

Dec. 8, at 7 p.m., First Church Congregational in Marlborough, 37 High St., will host a holiday concert by the Merrimack Valley Ringers, an auditioned community handbell choir based in Chelmsford. MVR has a full complement of 15 ringers from Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and their instrumentation for this performance includes six octaves of handbells, six octaves of handchimes, sleighbells, slapstick, bongos, and even a crash cymbal! To celebrate the release of their third CD, “Ring We All Noel,” their holiday tour includes several of your favorite carols, as well as the recent Trans Siberian Orchestra’s hit “Wizards in Winter.” Admission is free!