Richard J. Colla is artistic director and conductor of the Opus Handbell Ensemble, a post he has held since 1995. He is on the faculty at Modesto Junior College where he teaches Introduction to American Popular Music. Over the years, Richard has taught a variety of courses and has directed all the choral groups. In 2020, Richard retired from his position as Minister of Music and Worship at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Modesto where he had directed a variety of vocal and instrumental ensembles since 1990.
Richard has also served as a member of the voice faculty at California State University, Stanislaus, and is an active adjudicator and lecturer. He has presented lectures on a variety of topics including vocal technique and literature, choral literature and methods, as well as handbell techniques. He and his wife, Ginger, also conduct joint workshops in vocal techniques.
Richard has been active as a bass-baritone soloist and has appeared extensively in recital, oratorio and opera performances. Richard served a four-year term (1993-1997) as the California State Chair for Repertoire and Standards of Music in Worship for The American Choral Director’s Assoc. (ACDA). He has also published articles in The NATS Journal for the National Association of Teachers of Singing, The Cantate California for the American Choral Director’s Assoc., and The Journal for the Choral Conductor’s Guild. Richard received his Bachelor of Music degree with honors from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in vocal performance, and his Master of Music degree at the University of Illinois in choral conducting.
Richard and his wife, Ginger, were honored as the recipients of the 2007 Excellence in Arts Awards for Music by the Stanislaus Arts Council. Richard’s choir at Trinity (Koinonia Choir) was invited to participate in a performance of John Rutter’s Requiem in New York’s famous Carnegie Hall in 2005 with the composer conducting. The Choir and Opus Handbell Ensemble toured to England where they performed Handbell and Choir concerts in June (2008). Richard has also taken his choir on tours to Italy in 2012 and Austria in 2015.
Opus Handbell Ensemble
Opus Handbell Ensemble, Inc., a non-profit organization, has been a group of aspiring musicians in Modesto since 1992. They are currently 13 ringers strong, and have been under the artistic direction of Richard J. Colla since 1995. With over 140 combined years of ringing experience, they perform on five octaves of Malmark handbells, four-plus octaves of Malmark tone chimes and occasionally, a selection of Whitechapel handbells.
Handbells are a unique instrument requiring precision eye-hand coordination, music reading ability and a willingness to work as a team. Repertoire for this art form ranges from classical Bach to Heavy Metal and Rock 'n' Roll. Opus is known throughout the handbell community for reflecting, in bronze, the artistic interpretation of the director. They bring musicality and depth to a performance beyond the expectations of the listening and viewing audience.
Opus has spearheaded the art of handbell ringing in the Central Valley with themed concerts throughout the year. Opus has also hosted and conducted local workshops to raise the level of awareness of handbell ringing in the Modesto community. One of their greatest joys has been to take this artistic medium into the music mainstream through local schools by broadening the dreams of students who have never seen or heard a handbell choir.
Opus has played on the Community Concert Series in Porterville, four years on the Manteca Kindred Arts Council Concert Series and three years on the Sonora St. James’ Concert Series. They also played on two occasions for the Evensong Series in Lodi. These fine musicians have attended festivals and workshops from Riverside to the Bay Area. They were a featured choir to ring at Pinnacle 2000 in Las Vegas, and the Handbell Musicians of America Area Twelve Conference at Belmont in 2006. In June of 2008, Opus joined the Trinity United Koinonia Choir in Coventry, England for an International Choir Festival tour.
Opus has been the host ensemble along with seven other handbell groups for the Modesto Salvation Army Bells of Blessing benefit concert since 2010. For the first time, by an audition process, Opus was chosen to be the featured Showcase Ensemble for the Handbell Musicians of America Area Twelve Bell Odyssey Conference held at UC Davis, in June of 2010. They were honored again in 2016, as a Showcase Ensemble for Area Twelve Handbell Hop Conference held in Modesto.
Opus was featured on the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert at the Gallo Center in 2007, 2008 and 2010. They were also featured guest musicians at the Modesto Symphony’s Candlelight Concert held at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in 2009 through the present. In 2012 Opus presented a handbell drama/concert as part of the Arts Education Program of the Gallo Center for the Arts and paired it with an evening public concert through 2016. The Gallo Center contracted Opus again in 2018, as part of their holiday programs.
For more information contact Opus’ booking coordinator Lisa Traughber at 209-527-2214 or visit our website at opushandbell.org
