Commissioned for the Handbell Musicians of America, Area 8 2016 Festival/Conference, Despite the Storm is an original composition for handbells, optional handchimes, and optional flute. It features a nautical, Celtic-flavored melody in G minor with a gentle LV accompaniment. The second section is in C minor and includes a repetitive, turbulent 16th-note handbell ostinato played over the bass and lower treble handchime melody. The next section returns to the original melody, but now in G major, full and chordal, with a soaring flute descant. The work ends with calming singing bells. The two editions for 2-3 and 3-6 octaves are compatible for massed ringing.