Now in his third year as director of the choir, Wells is proud of what he and fellow teacher Ann Cockerham have accomplished. The campus supports five hand bell choirs; more than 40 students auditioned for an opening in the elite Bells.

Third-year ringers Dustin Hunter and Elissa King say Wells is a noisemaker they can relate to. Wells "makes the bells fun," says Dustin, 14. "He also makes it challenging," says Elissa, 16. "And I like a challenge."

Hand bells require incredible coordination and a large dose of teamwork; Wells likens it to 13 people sitting down to play on piano. The hand-cast bronze bells number 66 and span five octaves. ("We’d love to do seven," Wells says.) The sound ranges from very low (think Barry White) to very high (think Mariah Carey).

"Pretty standard stuff as far as bells go," Wells Says. "What sets us apart from other choirs is our level of intensity during our performances."

Sheet music is rarely in sight when this high-voltage group performs. Choir members have memorized most works, including such difficult pieces as Rossini’s "William Tell Overture." "I want to maintain eye contact with each ringer at all times," Wells explains. "It’s crucial for the precision of each of our pieces."

For the sake of musicianship, Wells requires each member to play every instrument. That means being able to lug the huge 25-pounders as well as gently lift bells that weigh as little as 10 ounces.

Those efforts are seen on the group’s first CD and video, "Ring of Fire." A testament to their expertise, the recordings feature 16 of the most-challenging pieces for hand bells from both secular and sacred realms.

The young people let their music be their witness; There’s no Bible-thumping on the CD or video or at the Bells’ concerts. Instead, choir members celebrate life by whacking the heck out of bells in a style that could only be described as "heavy metal." The teen-agers jump, hop and jab with their instruments like so many lightweight boxers. They put so much gusto into each and every wallop at their concerts (they’ve performed more than 100) that they’ve broken six bells so far—to the tune of $800 each. Still, Wells says, "I want them to hit as hard as they can."

When the bells took part in a mass ringing of bells in downtown Portland last spring, their fierce style of play drew the attention of Nancy Hascall, director of The Bells of the Cascades, a local group composed of hand bell directors. Hascall’s recommendation helped secure the invitation to Pinnacle 2000.

The young people, who practice twice weekly at 7:15 a.m., are pumped up for the big trip to Vegas.

"I think it’s cool, but I don’t think people really understand bell ringing," Elissa King says. "I do think our bell ringing can show a positive example of what kids can do."

Adds Dustin Hunter, "It shows our passion for life."

Wells agrees: "There is a lot of good in the world. These kids prove that. If the kids, and I, have a message, it’s that ‘God wins.’"

And although he would like to take the kids on a tour to Europe—and maybe one day to Palau ("even if it was just to play to the fish") –Wells realizes there will be very few opportunities for the young people to ring bells once they leave the academy after their sophomore year.

Still, "I would love to see them directing their own choirs all over the nation. It’s very empowering."