Beach Festival
Date | March 6-7, 2026
Location | Rehoboth Beach Convention Center | 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE
Guest Conductor | Kathryn Jurado
The Beach Festival will include two different events – one for ringers and the other for directors. The ringers will be ringing in mass and having two classes led by Kathryn Jurado. There will also be a challenge piece for those organizations who are up for the challenge. The directors will have the opportunity to attend a director’s track designed just for directors. Directors with 0 to 2 years’ experience will be together while directors with over 2 years’ experience will be together. This festival has a maximum of 200 ringers.
Southern Festival
Date | April 17-18, 2026
Location | Mt. Tabor UMC | 3543 Robinhood Rd., Winston-Salem, NC
Guest Conductor | Brenda Austin
The Southern Festival will include ringing in mass as well as the opportunity to attend two classes of your choice. There will also be a challenge piece for those organizations who are up for the challenge.
This festival has a maximum of 100 ringers.
- Beach Festival Details
- Director's Track Details
- Southern Festival Details
- Clinicians
- Register Online
- Download Pdf Forms
Beach Festival
Date | March 6-7, 2026
Location | Rehoboth Beach Convention Center | 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE
Guest Conductor | Kathryn Jurado
The Beach Festival will include two different events – one for ringers and the other for directors. The ringers will be ringing in mass and having two classes led by Kathryn Jurado. There will also be a challenge piece for those organizations who are up for the challenge. The directors will have the opportunity to attend a director’s track designed just for directors. Directors with 0 to 2 years’ experience will be together while directors with over 2 years’ experience will be together. This festival has a maximum of 200 ringers. ore information will be available by August 1st.
Repertoire:
Massed:
- The First Noel| arr. Brenda Austin | Beckenhorst HB503 | 3-5 oct | L3-
- Thank We All Our God | arr. Jason Krug | Grassy Meadow | L3-
GMH230034 | 2-3 oct
GMH350055 | 3-6 oct
- You Raise Me Up | arr. Sandra Eithun | Alfred 31743 | 3-6 oct | L3
- Contemplation on Beautiful Savior| arr. Matthew Compton | Agape 2856 | 3-5 oct | L2+
- Rondo Giubilo | Robert W Gardner | Unpublished | 2-3 oct or 3-5 oct | L3
Area 3 Composition Contest Winner – will be sent to you after you register
Challenge Piece:
- Campanae Celebrare| Cathy Moklebust | Agape 2626 | 3-5 oct | L4
Ringer’s Tentative Schedule:
Friday:
4:00 pm – 6:30 pm Registration & Set-up
6:30 pm – 6:45 pm Opening/Announcements
6:45 pm – 7:30 pm Massed Rehearsal
7:30 pm – 7:40 pm Break
7:40 pm – 8:25 pm Massed Rehearsal
8:25 pm – 8:35 pm Break
8:35 pm – 9:00 pm Challenge Piece Rehearsal
Saturday:
9:00 am – 9:50 am Massed Rehearsal
10:00 am – 10:30 am Guest Conductor Led Class
10:40 am – 11:30 am Massed Rehearsal
11:30 am – 1:00 pm Lunch (on your own)
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Challenge Piece Rehearsal/Group Activity
1:40 pm – 2:30 pm Massed Rehearsal
2:40 pm – 3:10 pm Guest Conductor Led Class
3:20 pm – 4:10 pm Massed Rehearsal
4:10 pm – 4:30 pm Break
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm Festival Concert
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Pack-up/Clean-up
GENERAL INFORMATION
Why Should I Attend??
- To ring with other handbell ensembles who love handbell ringing too
- To make some unforgettable moments
- To have fun while ringing handbells
- To learn under a wonderful Guest Conductor
Who May Attend
- This festival is designed for full or partial handbell ensembles as well as individual handbell ringers of high school age and adults.
- Handbell ensembles must learn the festival music prior to coming.
Registration
- Due to space limitations, the number of registrants will be limited, so register early!!!
- Significant discounts are offered for early registrations.
- Director Registration: $65
- Ringer Registration: $75 (if postmarked /entered online by October 31, 2025)
- Ringer Registration: $80 (if postmarked/entered online by January 15, 2026)
- Ringer Registration: $110 (if postmarked/entered online after January 15, 2026)
- HMA membership is NOT If you are currently not a member and would like to join, you will have that option as part of registration. HMA Membership – add $95 (optional).
- You have a choice of registering & paying online or registering and paying by check through the mail.
- When sending in your registration form, please include only one (1) check from your organization with full payment – partial payments will not be accepted.
- Make your check payable to Handbell Musicians of America Area 3 and mail to: Christine Fox-Roberts, Registrar – 202 Pinebrook , Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
- The Registrar will acknowledge registration within two weeks of receipt.
Refund Policy
- $25 per registrant is nonrefundable when requested prior to January 15, After that date, there will be no refunds regardless of reason including medical issues and family emergencies.
- **ONLINE REGISTRATION PROCESSING FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE**
Email Information
- Event Information Packets will be sent to your provided email address.
- The Information Packet will include: what to bring, directions, what to wear, copyright information, special needs, insurance coverage information, unloading equipment, on-site registration, rehearsal notes, and a copy of Rondo Giubilo.
- So that information does not go to your junk mailbox, please add the following email addresses to your contact list:
Debbie Henning – [email protected]; Registrar: Christine Fox-Roberts – [email protected]; Event Chair: Teri Gregory – [email protected].
Classes
- This year, the Area 3 Board decided to change the format of this The Guest Conductor, Kathryn Jurado, will be leading two classes during the massed ringing rehearsals.
- There will be a special Director’s Track for ALL See Director’s Track brochure.
NEW THIS YEAR – DIRECTOR’S TRACK
- While your ringers are rehearsing, the Area 3 Board has designed two ringing tracks for ALL directors whether you bring a choir/ensemble to the festival or not.
- See the Director’s Track Brochure for all the details
Repertoire
- Purchase the repertoire from your favorite handbell music supplier.
- Photocopied music is NOT permitted.
- Learn the repertoire in Rehearsal notes will be included in the Information Packet that will be sent to you after you register.
- On the registration form, please check the box if your choir will be ringing the Challenge Piece – Campanae Celebrare.
- Area 3 had a winner in the 2025 Composition Contest. This piece, Rondo Giubilo, is included in this year’s This piece will NOT be published until after the event. You will receive one copy in the Information Packet that you will receive after you register. You will be responsible for making copies for your choir. These copies will only be for the festival. After the festival, you will need to destroy your copies and purchase the piece from your favorite music supplier.
Tables
- Tables will be supplied by the convention center.
- All choirs will ring in a straight line.
- On the registration form, please note the amount of table footage that you need.
- Choirs must bring pads, notebooks or music racks, bells, chimes, mallets, Table covers and skirts are optional. All equipment must be clearly marked!
Layout of Massed Ringing Area
- All choirs will ring in a straight row (there is no room to turn any tables).
- Since the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center is much smaller than the previous location, choirs may need to be divided into two rows.
Parking
- Since the convention center is located four blocks from the ocean and on the main road to the beach, parking is going to be limited.
- Please have your group carpool as much as possible.
- There is NOT a lot of space for large church vans in the parking lot.
- You may need to use on-street parking.
- Good Thing – you will NOT need to pay the parking meters in March!!!!!
Meals
- NO meals are included in your registration fee.
- A list of restaurants will be provided in your registration packet for Friday dinner & Saturday lunch.
Individuals without a choir
- An opportunity will be provided for individuals who wish to ring in the festival by filling vacancies offered by other choirs, on an available basis, or by bringing bells and pads.
- Individuals will ring the same repertoire as the massed choirs and participate in the festival concert.
- If you are a director with vacant positions, please indicate the positions available on the Registration form.
Lodging
- There is not an official festival hotel.
- There are many different hotels near the convention center and along Route 1.
Photography Policy
- By registering for an Area 3 event, you give permission to use pictures from the event on the Area 3 website, in the Area Historian’s Photo Album, and in future publications. Individuals will NOT be identified or pictured in potentially embarrassing Parents who do NOT wish to have their minor child (ren) included in pictures must complete the Area 3 Photography Form for Minors and return it with their registration. This form is available in the registration packet.
Director’s Track
Date | March 6-7, 2026
Location | Rehoboth Beach Convention Center | 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Whether you bring a choir/ensemble to the Beach Festival or not, the Area 3 Board is offering a Director’s Track at the Beach Festival. On Friday night after the Area 3 Forum, the directors will have a Read and Ring session featuring the repertoire for the 2027 Spring Festivals as well as other new repertoire. On Saturday, the directors will be divided into two groups – one group for beginning/ new directors and the other group for the seasoned directors.
Foundations for New Handbell Directors will experience: This practical, hands-on course is designed for handbell directors with two years or less of experience. Whether you’re forming a new group or stepping into leadership of an established ensemble, this course equips you with the essential tools to build a successful, sustainable program. Topics that will be covered: Ensemble Organization, Repertoire Selection, Bell Assignments, Building a Cohesive Ensemble and Practice Aids & Skill Development. Directors will leave this course with practical rehearsal tools, organizational strategies, and the confidence to lead an engaging and effective handbell program.
The Seasoned Directors will experience: During the morning session, you will experience a quick refresher on how to teach proper handbell techniques and then you will embark on a journey from the selection of a handbell piece to the performance of the handbell piece. During the afternoon session, you will be guided through multiple bell techniques such as weaving and four-in-hand which will lead into ringing repertoire with fewer ringers. Finally you will practice your conducting skills as we play a friendly game of incorrect rhythms and notes in Who Wants To Be A Conductor? Or Who Is Smarter Than the Conductor?.
Director’s Tentative Schedule
Friday:
6:30 pm – 6:45 pm Welcome/Announcements
6:45 pm – 7:15 pm Area 3 Forum
7:30 pm – 8:25 pm Read & Ring (all directors)
Saturday:
9:00 am – 11:30 am Session I (Beginning & Seasoned)
11:30 am – 1:30 pm Lunch (on your own)
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm Session II (Beginning & Seasoned)
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm Break
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm Festival Concert
Southern Festival
Date | April 17-18, 2026
Location | Mt. Tabor UMC | 3543 Robinhood Rd., Winston-Salem, NC
Guest Conductor | Brenda Austin
The Southern Festival will include ringing in mass as well as the opportunity to attend two classes of your choice. There will also be a challenge piece for those organizations who are up for the challenge. This festival has a maximum of 100 ringers. More information will be available by August 1st.
Repertoire:
Massed:
- The First Noel| arr. Brenda Austin | Beckenhorst HB503 | 3-5 oct | L3-
- Thank We All Our God | arr. Jason Krug | Grassy Meadow | L3-
GMH230034 | 2-3 oct
GMH350055 | 3-6 oct
- You Raise Me Up | arr. Sandra Eithun | Alfred 31743 | 3-6 oct | L3
- Contemplation on Beautiful Savior| arr. Matthew Compton | Agape 2856 | 3-5 oct | L2+
- Rondo Giubilo | Robert W Gardner | Unpublished | 2-3 oct or 3-5 oct | L3
Area 3 Composition Contest Winner – will be sent to you after you register
Challenge Piece:
- Campanae Celebrare| Cathy Moklebust | Agape 2626 | 3-5 oct | L4
Ringer’s Tentative Schedule:
Friday:
4:00 pm – 6:30 pm Registration & Set-up
6:30 pm – 6:45 pm Opening/Announcements
6:45 pm – 7:30 pm Massed Rehearsal
7:30 pm – 7:40 pm Break
7:40 pm – 8:25 pm Massed Rehearsal
8:25 pm – 8:35 pm Break
8:35 pm – 9:00 pm Challenge Piece Rehearsal
Saturday:
9:00 am – 9:50 am Massed Rehearsal
10:00 am – 10:50 am Red Classes/Blues Rehearsal
11:00 am – 11:50 am Blues Classes/Red Rehearsal
12:00 am – 1:00 pm Lunch (on your own)
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Challenge Piece Rehearsal/Group Activity
1:40 pm – 2:30 pm Red Classes/Blues Rehearsal
2:40 pm – 3:30 pm Blues Classes/Red Rehearsal
3:40 pm – 4:10 pm Massed Rehearsal
4:10 pm – 4:30 pm Break
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm Festival Concert
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Pack-up/Clean-up
GENERAL INFORMATION
Why Should I Attend????
- To ring with other handbell ensembles who love handbell ringing too
- To make some unforgettable moments
- To have fun while ringing handbells
- To learn under a wonderful Guest Conductor
Who May Attend
- This festival is designed for full or partial handbell ensembles as well as individual handbell ringers of high school age and adults.
- Handbell ensembles must learn the festival music prior to coming.
Registration
- Significant discounts are offered for early registrations.
- Registration: $75 (if postmarked /entered online by October 31, 2025)
- Registration: $80 (if postmarked/entered online by January 15, 2026)
- Registration: $110 (if postmarked/entered online after January 15, 2026)
- Registration fee includes Saturday lunch.
- HMA membership is NOT If you are currently not a member and would like to join, you will have that option as part of registration. HMA Membership – add $95 (optional).
- You have a choice of registering & paying online or registering and paying by check through the mail.
- When sending in your registration form, please include only one (1) check from your organization with full payment – partial payments will not be accepted.
- Make your check payable to Handbell Musicians of America Area 3 and mail to Gail Williams, Registrar – 7903 Glenbrook Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814.
- The Registrar will acknowledge registration within two weeks of receipt.
Refund Policy
- $25 per registrant is nonrefundable when requested prior to January 15, After that date, there will be no refunds regardless of reason including medical issues and family emergencies.
- **ONLINE REGISTRATION PROCESSING FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE**
Email Information
- Event Information Packets will be sent to your provided email address.
- So that information does not go to your junk mailbox, please add the following email addresses to your contact list: Debbie Henning – [email protected]; Registrar: Gail Williams – [email protected]; Event Chair: Ednamae Fisher – [email protected]
Information Packet & Class Pre-Registration Packet
- Once you are registered for the festival, the Information Packet and Class Pre-Registration Packet will be emailed to you.
- The Information Packet will include: what to bring, directions, what to wear, copyright information, special needs, insurance coverage information, unloading equipment, on-site registration, rehearsal notes, and a copy of Rondo Giubilo.
- The Class Pre-Registration Packet will include: the class titles, class descriptions, faculty bios and the class pre-registration form for classes. By pre-registering for classes, we can make sure that the Equipment Manager gets enough equipment for the classes.
Repertoire
- Purchase the repertoire from your favorite handbell music supplier.
- Photocopied music is NOT permitted.
- Learn the repertoire in Rehearsal notes will be included in the Information Packet that will be sent to you after you register.
- On the registration form, please check the box if your choir will be ringing the Challenge Piece – Campanae Celebrare.
- Area 3 had a winner in the 2025 Composition Contest. This piece, Rondo Giubilo, is included in this year’s This piece will NOT be published until after the event. You will receive one copy in the Information Packet that you will receive after you register. You will be responsible for making copies for your choir. These copies will only be for the festival. After the festival, you will need to destroy your copies and purchase the piece from your favorite music supplier.
Tables
- All choirs will need to BRING their tables.
- All choirs/ensembles will ring a straight line.
- On the registration form, please note the amount of table footage that you need.
- Choirs must bring pads, notebooks or music racks, bells, chimes, mallets, Table covers and skirts are optional. All equipment must be clearly marked!
Meals
- A list of restaurants will be provided in your registration packet for Friday dinner.
- Lunch on Saturday IS included in the registration fee. Lunch will be catered by Mt. Tabor UMC or Chick-fil-a. You will have a choice of a sandwich bar along with chips, dessert and a drink OR a market salad or a Cobb salad and a drink.
Individuals without a choir
- An opportunity will be provided for directors or individuals who wish to ring in the festival by filling vacancies offered by other choirs, on an available basis, or by bringing bells and pads.
- Individuals will ring the same repertoire as the massed choirs and participate in the festival concert.
- If you are a director with vacant positions, please indicate the positions available on the Registration form.
Solo Performance Opportunity
- Ensembles will be given the opportunity to perform a solo of their choice during the final concert.
- This opportunity is limited to the first five (5) ensembles that register.
- If your ensemble is interested in performing, please check the box on the registration form.
- The title, composer and arranger will be due by January 31, 2026.
Classes
- Registrants will have the opportunity of taking several educational classes during the event – one on Saturday morning and one on Saturday afternoon.
- The Class Pre-Registration Packet will be emailed to you after you register for this festival.
Lodging
- There is not an official festival hotel.
- There are many different hotels within a 20 minute drive of the church – several that offer a complimentary breakfast.
Photography Policy
- By registering for an Area 3 event, you give permission to use pictures from the event on the Area 3 website, in the Area Historian’s Photo Album, and in future publications. Individuals will NOT be identified or pictured in potentially embarrassing Parents who do NOT wish to have their minor child(ren) included in pictures must complete the Area 3 Photography Form for Minors and return it with their registration. This form is available in the registration packet.
Beach Festival: Kathryn Jurado
A musician with over 30 years of performance experience, 20 years of non-profit volunteer work, and lifelong church music ministry service, Kathryn Jurado has quickly gained prominence in the handbell community as a ringer and director. She is starting her first year as the Director of Handbell Activities at Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland, where she will lead students from grades 5 through 12. Kathryn also serves as President-Elect on the national board of Handbell Musicians of America, and is the Handbell and Instrumental Editor of Alfred Handbell, a division of Jubilate Music Group.
Originally born in Puerto Rico, Kathryn holds both a Bachelor and Master of Music degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa. As a freelance oboist and private teacher, she has performed with groups such as Opera Tampa, the Venice Symphony, The Tampa Bay Symphony, The Villages Philharmonic, and performances of La La Land Live, and with Ray Charles, the Irish Tenors, and pop superstars Hanson.
Previously, Kathryn served as one of the music directors and Vice President of Magic of Bronze, a community handbell ensemble based in the Orlando area, which was one of the featured performance choirs at the 2020 HMA National Seminar, as well as a term as Associate Director of the Suncoast Bronze Ringers community handbell ensemble in the Tampa Bay area. Kathryn also led a handbell ensemble at the University of South Florida, taught music in the Hillsborough County Public Schools for over a decade, served as Province Officer with Sigma Alpha Iota, International Music Fraternity, and was the handbell director at Lake Magdalene Church (formerly UMC) in Tampa.
In 2022, Kathryn had the privilege to be the clinician for Reaching for Bronze (now known as Crescendo) in New Bern, North Carolina. Most recently, she was the handbell clinician for the Florida Chapter of the Fellowship of Worship Artists’ Worship Arts Week in Fruitland Park, Florida in 2024 and 2025, HMA Area 4’s Bells of the Caribbean in 2024, HMA’s 2025 College Ring-In, and the 2025 Utah Spring Ring. Kathryn was a faculty member at HMA’s 2025 Pinnacle event in Wichita, Kansas, and is looking forward to leading handbell festivals in Delaware, Montana, and Nebraska in 2026.
In her spare time, Kathryn, along with her husband, William J. Murphy, enjoys traveling to Disney, cruising the Caribbean, and watching movies with their clowder of cats.
Southern Festival: Brenda Austin
Brenda Austin is in demand nationally and internationally as a conductor and clinician because of her dynamic and energetic approach to connecting musicians through handbells. In 2019, Brenda joined the team at Hope Publishing Company in Carol Stream, IL as Editor. In 2023, she was named Music Director for Embellish handbell ensemble. Embellish was one of the premier ensembles to perform at Handbell Musicians of America’s Pinnacle in 2025. Before joining Embellish, she served as the Artistic Director for the Detroit Handbell Ensemble since 2016. Under her baton, DHE was honored to open the Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar in 2018 and be the featured concert for HMA’s Area 2 2019 Festival in Lancaster, PA.
Additionally, she has served First UMC in Eaton Rapids, MI, as Director of Music since 2003. She is also active in the community directing Children’s musical theatre.
Brenda graduated with degrees in Vocal Performance from Western Michigan University and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She studied with Craig Arnold, Steve Zegree and Eph Ehly.
Brenda is sought after as a handbell clinician throughout the year and has been the conductor and clinician at numerous festivals and workshops including HMA National Seminar, and many of the Areas’ festivals. Additionally, she has had more than 110 titles published for handbells and sacred choral since 2015.
For more information about Brenda, please visit her website at www.BrendaEAustin.com
Director’s Track:
Larry Henning – Clinician “The Seasoned Director”
Larry, Music Director of Westminster Ringers, is a retired seventh grade mathematics teacher. Early in his teaching career, he established the Carrolltowne Ringers – a children’s handbell program for grades third through fifth. Under his direction, they received the National Exemplary School Award from Handbell Musicians of America. He has also directed the Agape Ringers from the Westminster Church of the Brethren and Wesley Carillon from the Westminster UMC. Larry has been a clinician with Handbell Musicians of America Area 3 for their Bronze Conference Choir, Read & Ring Workshops and the Ocean City & Hampton Festivals. He studied conducting under William Payn. Larry and his wife, Debbie, are the co-founders of the Westminster Ringers, Inc.
Alan Payne – Clinician “Foundations for New Handbell Directors”
Alan started his handbell journey about 18 years ago when his kids were playing handbells at Fairfax United Methodist Church. Church policy required a 2nd adult present for all youth-related activities and Alan became bell-dad. Since he had played instruments before, the director often asked him to fill in when a ringer was absent and that was all he needed to get hooked. Alan soon began ringing with the adult choir at the church and slinging the low bass bells. After his 3rd child left for college, Alan auditioned for a community group in Northern Virginia. He rang with them for 4 seasons and also served as Vice President and President.
In September of 2020 Alan formed Music To Free, a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to teach handbells at low/fixed income senior living centers. These programs are provided at no cost to the residents or the facilities. In 2022, to help fund these programs, Alan formed Bronze Unlimited, a new community ensemble for advanced ringers. In addition to doing public concerts, Bronze Unlimited does private events and community outreach events. Bronze Unlimited’s May concerts, Hope & Remembrance – a concert for those affected by cancer, will help raise money for Music To Free as well as local cancer support groups.
Online Registration for 2026 Beach Festival: https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/BeachFestival
Online Registration for 2026 Director’s Track: https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/DirectorsTrackAtTheBeachFestival
Online Registration for 2026 Southern Festival: https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/SouthernFestival