In 1981, Louise Frier* conceived of the bell tree technique while watching teens put away bells. She authored a manual on how to ring bell trees and began teaching the technique. She composed and arranged music specifically for bell trees, and many of her compositions were packaged in a unique combination of bell tree, chimes, and malleted bass. Bell trees are now used as solos, duets, trios, as well as accompanying full choirs ̶ all because of the foundation first laid by Louise Frier. Louise recognized what could have simply been a bunch of teenagers goofing off as a potential new handbell technique. She created that technique, saw it through to a new art form, wrote compositions for it, and was continually willing to teach it to others.
