Aivar Mäe, conductor of Arsis chamber choir, stays in the US for the purpose of retraining and hears handbells for the first time. It becomes his fixed idea to found a handbell ensemble also in Estonia.
1993
The representatives of The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers visit Estonia, bringing along first three octaves of bells as a present to Aivar Mäe and his choir.
The idea becomes a reality - Arsis Handbell Ensemble is founded.
The 12-member ensemble, formed from singers of Arsis chamber choir, has its first concert at Christmas, touring in Estonian churches. Estonian audience is fascinated by the new musical instrument.
Passed tours
2009
Great Britain: Oxford, Ely, Cirencester (participating in National Rally, handbell music festival);
2008
Lithuania: Vilnius;
Norway: Oslo.
2007
Lithuania: Siauliai (participating in Music Festival);
Finland: Kuusankoski, Vantaa;
Spain-Andorra: Madrid (performance in a frame of Estonian President's visit), Ordino-Andorra.
2006
Finland: Kuusankoski, Kuopio, Juva, Pori, and Vantaa.
2004
Spain: León.
2003
Sweden: Göteborg;
Belgium: Brussel;
Lithuania: Vilnius, Alytus.
2002
USA: Morris Plains, New Jersey-Lancaster, Pennsylvania-Manheim,Pennsylvania-Betlehem, Pennsylvania-Charlotte, North Carolina-Orlando, Florida (participating in Handbell Festival "Pinnacle 2002") -Wilson, North Carolina-Phoenix, Maryland.
Canada-USA: New York City-Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania-Buffalo, New York-Jamestown, New York-Pittsfield, Massachusetts-Amherst, Massachusetts-Toronto, Ontario-Hamilton,O ntario-Brantford, Ontario-Kitchener, Ontario-Niagara Falls, Ontario-London, Ontario.
1999
Finland: Vaasa (participating in Vasa Music Festival);
USA: San Fransisco, California-Walnut Creek, California-Mi-Wuk Village, California-Las Vegas, Nevada-Goleta, California-Solvang, California-Anaheim, California (performing in Disneyland) - Los Angeles, California (participating to the XXIV West Coast Estonian Festival).
1998
Canada-USA: Montreal, Quebec-Toronto, Ontario-Sudbury, Ontario-Winnipeg, Manitoba-Regina, Saskatchewan-Vancouver, Britsh Columbia-Portland, Oregon-Spokane, Washington-Rapid City, South Dakota-Austin, Minnesota-Chicago, Illinois-Grand Rapids, Michigan-Flint, Michigan-Columbus, Ohio-Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania-New York City;
Finland: Rauma.
1997
South African Republic: Johannesburg-Sun City-Pretoria.
1996
Great Britain-Ireland, with Arsis chamber choir: London-Cork.
1995
Latvia: Aluksne-Gaudiena;
Norway, with Arsis chamber choir: Oslo;
Sweden, with Arsis chamber choir: Skellefteå;
Germany-USA, with Arsis chamber choir;
Mechede, Germany (participating in Estonian Cultural Festival);
Portland, Oregon (participating in XXII West Coast Estonian Festival)- Astoria, Washington-Port Angeles, Washington-Issaquah, Washington-Vancouver, Washington-The Dalles, Oregon-Boise, Idaho-Ogden, Utah-Denver, Columbia-Lincoln, Nebraska-Chicago, Illinois-St.Louis, Illinois;
Italy: Rooma-Salerno (participating in Christmas Festival).
1993
Sweden-Great Britain-France-Spain, with Arsis chamber choir: Malmö,Sweden-Llangollen,Great Britain-London-Espenasses,France-Cantonigrós,Spain;
Italy: Salerno (participating in Christmas Festival).
