It can be difficult for school kids to think of their teachers as having lives outside of the classroom, but one Bremerton teacher is bringing her students into her personal life in a very public way.

By day Wendy McPhetres is the junior high choir teacher in Bremerton. By night, and weekends, she is a member of the elite Bells of the Sound, a group of 14 musicians who perform on traditional English handbells.

This the busiest time of the year for the handbell ensemble, since their music is so well suited to holiday tunes, but they are taking time to come to Bremerton for a joint concert with the Bremerton High School Choir. Many of them are former students of McPhetres.

The groups have not been able to rehearse their two numbers together, but McPhetres said, “I think it will come together nicely.” The bellringer’s director has worked with the choir and they will have a run-through before the concert.

The groups perform at 4 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center. The concert is a fund raiser for both groups, and they will split the proceeds from admission. The high school choir is raising money for an upcoming trip to England.

It will perform two songs with the handbell ensemble, “Silent Nights” and “Personant Hodie.”

McPhetres said “Silent Nights,” yes, that’s plural, was arranged in 4/4 time by bellringer Brenna Lehman.

“Personant Hodie” was written by the bellringers 10 years ago for a performance with the Seattle Men’s Chorus. It will be accompanied by harp and piano, as well as the bells.

The high school choir members may not fully appreciate how fortunate they are to have the opportunity to perform with Bells of the Sound.

McPhetres said the group is rated as a “bronze,” or first class, group by the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.

Many of the 14 members, including McPhetres, have been playing handbells since they were youngsters.

Scott Barker began ringing bells in 1976 when his grandparents purchased a set from a Seattle church. Donna Timbrook began ringing handbells when she was 12, while Jennifer Vangolen started at 10. McPhetres also began when she was 10, in Haines, Alaska.

Others took to the unique musical instrument later in life, but all share a passion for their handbells. All of them have at least bachelor’s degrees, and work in a variety of careers, from Microsoft to accounting and air traffic control. Many have a penchant for the brain game Sudoku. That’s probably a good mental exercise, given the demands of their music.

Together they perform with almost 100 bells, ranging over seven and a half octaves. Each person plays a range of bells. It takes three trucks to move all their gear, but once they get set up it’s worth the hassle. Nothing says “Christmas” like “For Unto Us a Child is Born” played on bells. It also adds beauty to favorites such as “Greensleeves.”

The group has five concerts booked in the holiday season, but McPhetres said they play a wide variety of music at other times of the year, including a Beatles medley.

“We’re hoping to bring in new audiences,” she said.

For now, the holiday concert is “a great way to ring in the holiday season,” McPhetres said. Bell puns just come with the instrument.

Bells of the Sound perform with special guests, The Bremerton High School Choir, 4 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center.

Tickets are $10 adults, $8 seniors and youth, available in advance from Bremerton High School Choir members, or at the door.