In August 1999, Mrs. Marisol Matos began to work in Ceiba at the Roosevelt Roads schools as a music teacher. Mrs. Matos met the E.S.D. staff and students and became a volunteer at the school. The E.S.D. teachers and Mrs. Matos began a friendship. Mrs. Matos offered to volunteer by teaching music to the deaf students using handbells which she had been awarded under a proposal from EDUCOOP. With some reservation and much curiosity on the part of the school director and friend, Elisabeth Hoke, Mrs. Matos was given time and assistance to work with the students in the dormitory in the evenings.
We soon learned that the students were enthusiastic and quickly learned to understand music. The Handbell Choir of E.S.D. was born. It was an effort that brought immediate satisfaction for all involved. Mrs. Matos learned some sign language while the students learned to read music and to follow the director of the bell choir to make music even without the ability to hear the music they were making. Also some of the children who had hearing aids but refused to use them, began to wear their hearing aids so that they could better hear the music they were making. Many other skills were developed including teamwork and visual-motor skills.
In October 2002, the children played their bells before the Senate of Puerto Rico and they delighted their listeners with El Coqui, Ode to Joy and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. It as a great opportunity for everyone including the 4 and 5 year old students who participated.
When it was time for Mrs. Matos to leave Puerto Rico as she moved to the USA, the teachers of E.S.D. willingl accepted the challenge of continuing the handbells to teach music to the students.
Every school year, the students have been improving their skills with the bells. Students who have been playing the bells for four or more years are able to handle from 4 to 8 bells in some pieces of music. They enjoy practicing duets, trios, and quartets with their bells.
Every year, we include new students to the school in learning handbell and music skills. As new younger children come to school or older students transfer to E.S.D. they quickly develop a desire to play music with our handbell choir. Everyone participates on a voluntary basis and the students who have developed better skills are jealous about their bells.
Since 2004, the handbell choir has played for church services, luncheons, weddings and graduations. It is a joy to serve through music and to show the abilities of the students in the handbell choir.
In January 2005 and 2006, we played as part of the Whitefield Crusade in the Fine Arts Center of Guaynabo.
We continue to play in churches for special meetings, at missions conferences, luncheons and various other activities around the island.
In September 2008, the choir took their first trip to visit supporting churches in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.