Lancaster Handbell Choir

The Lancaster Central School District Music Department has been named a NAMM Foundation Best Communities for Music Education for 2026—our 12th Year as an awardee!

Let’s give a standing ovation to the 1,000+ districts and schools that have earned the Best Communities for Music Education Award from The NAMM Foundation!

We applaud your community’s unwavering commitment to creating an environment where each child can learn and grow with music.

Check out who’s on the list and celebrate this incredible achievement: www.nammfoundation.org/bcme

On Friday, December 12th, the Lancaster Handbell Choir under the direction of Aidan Carney performed its annual “A Handbell Choir Holiday” concert at Our Lady of Pompeii.

We joined the Lancaster Concert Choir in Joel Raney’s “Joy to the World!” to kick off the Sounds of the Season!

📸 Chandler Cotter Photography

You are warmly invited to a special evening of festive music as the Lancaster Handbell Choir, under the direction of Aidan Carney, presents its "Handbell Choir Holiday" concert. Join us on Friday, December 12th, at 7:00 PM at Our Lady of Pompeii Roman Catholic Church for a performance designed to fill you with holiday cheer.

The program will feature beautiful selections, including Fantasy on Hyfrydol, Night of Stars, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Additionally, we are thrilled to be collaborating with the Lancaster Concert Choir to perform Joel Raney's spirited arrangement of "Joy to the World."

Please come and share this wonderful, memorable night of seasonal music with us.

The Ethos New Music Society at the State University of New York at Fredonia School of Music will be premiering a new selection for Handbell Choir: How Can I Keep from Singing? by Edward Angelo.

Check it out!

Fredonia Student Composers Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Lancaster CSD proudly congratulates retired music educator Kenneth Kowalski, named Erie County’s Citizen of the Month for the 8th District! His passion for music inspired thousands of students, many of whom have gone on to careers in music, performance, and education, reflecting his lasting legacy. Join us in celebrating Mr. Kowalski for this well-deserved honor!

Lights!💡
Camera! 🎥
Action! 🎬

Get ready for a magical night at the movies with the Fredonia Pops Orchestra featuring Some Like It Hot & Much More Chill!

We’re just one month out from our fall Charity Benefit concert, "A Night at the Movies!" on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025, at 8:00 PM in Harry A. King Concert Hall.

Join us for an evening of cinematic scores, featuring music from your favorite films like La La Land, Harry Potter, and Star Wars!

Mark your calendars—you won't want to miss this!

Happy First Day of Classes, Lancaster Schools!

We can’t wait to see our students tomorrow, 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮, as we kick off another great school year filled with pride, spirit, tradition, and excellence. Let’s make it a legendary year!

Happy Labor Day from the Lancaster Handbell Choir!

Today, we celebrate the dedication and hard work that makes all our music possible. We hope your day is filled with rest, joy, and the sweet sound of freedom ringing true!

Welcoming our new Assistant Conductor, Aidan Carney

Avanti Music is thrilled to announce that Aidan Carney has joined our team as Assistant Conductor. A passionate musician and dedicated educator, Aidan brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to our organization.

Aidan is currently a student at the State University of New York at Fredonia, where he is pursuing degrees in both Music Education and Music History. His academic background is complemented by a deep commitment to community engagement and education. As the Music and Arts Director of the Fredonia Media Music Collective he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in fostering a thriving musical community. This role includes overseeing the direction of both the SUNY Fredonia Pops Orchestra and the SUNY Fredonia Video Game Orchestra, which have become key stages for innovative musical performance.

Beyond his work at Fredonia, Aidan is the conductor of the Lancaster Handbell Choir at the Lancaster Central School District. He is also an active and vocal supporter of music education, consistently advocating for its importance in the Buffalo and Western New York area as well as statewide through his work with the New York State Band Directors Association. His dedication to nurturing the next generation of musicians and audiences aligns perfectly with Avanti Music's mission.

We are incredibly excited to welcome Aidan Carney to the Avanti Music family. His expertise and passion will be invaluable as we continue to push the boundaries of classical music and connect with our community.