february 12-14, 2027
Ringing at the Springs
Annual Handbell Retreat
Join us for a weekend-long handbell retreat featuring great music under skilled direction
and fellowship among bell choirs. Individuals as well as full choirs are invited to attend.
Our 2027 program includes leadership from clinician Brian Childers, an optional reading session and advanced ensemble,
plus the music, fellowship, and worship that have made this weekend retreat special for over 20 years!
Registration will open september 2026.
Questions? Contact Colleen Earp, Program Director, at colleen@massanettasprings.org.
This handbell retreat began in 2005 under the leadership of Kath Wissinger and Laura Holbrook (former Director of Programs) who saw the opportunity and imagined the possibilities for a handbell event in the Shenandoah Valley.
2027 PRICES PER PERSON:
Commuter: $195
Richardson Double (single dorm-style room, shared bath): $269
Richardson Single (single dorm-style room, private bath): $305
Hubler Double (shared hotel-style room): $319
Hubler Single (private hotel-style room): $385
WHO MAY ATTEND? Individuals as well as choirs come to this retreat. If you come as an individual, you may decide what bells to bring and what position to play, or request to be matched with a choir that might be missing a member. Choirs of 2, 3, 4, and more octaves have attended. If you wish to bring youth participants, please contact Colleen Earp, Program Director (colleen@massanettasprings.org) to discuss chaperones and other Child Protection Policy measures.
WHAT DO WE PLAY? Each year, the repertoire is chosen by the guest clinician. You may order the music yourself, or opt to purchase a packet with your registration. There is no expectation to prepare before the retreat— we’ll all learn it together!
The music includes a range of skills and playing levels. The repertoire tends to touch on a variety of of the church’s liturgical seasons, as well as some plain old fun! The retreat culminates Sunday morning with an ecumenical worship service featuring the practiced handbell pieces.
WHAT SHOULD WE BRING? Handbells and any equipment like table pads, mallets, music stands, stand lights (let us know if you can’t and we’ll do our best to help coordinate); clothes and toiletries (we provide linens); other friends who play handbells!
WHAT DO WE WEAR FOR WORSHIP? We are at camp, so feel free to dress comfortably! Some people are comfortable wearing jeans and t-shirts, others feel more centered if they’re wearing so-called “Sunday best”. However you prefer to come to worship, you will be welcome.
CAN WE INVITE GUESTS FOR WORSHIP? Yes! Guests are welcome in closing worship, as well as for lunch after. Announcements will be made during the weekend to get a head count for worship and lunch; guest lunches may be purchased on their way into the meal.
WHERE DO WE STAY? Participants will have the option to stay in single or double occupancy rooms in Hubler Lodge (hotel-style rooms) or Richardson (dorm-style rooms). There is a commuter option for those who live nearby.
WHY SHOULD I ATTEND THIS EVENT? Ringing at the Springs is an opportunity to practice and hear new handbell music, learn from a skilled director, and enjoy the fellowship of other people who love playing handbells!
HOW DO I REGISTER? Registration opens in September 2026. An online form will be available for individuals and choirs to register, or you may register by phone. We do not offer or accept paper forms.
HOW DO I PAY? Payment may be made by mailing a check or calling the office to make a credit card payment. A nonrefundable $25 deposit is due upon registration; 50% of the balance is due 60 days before the beginning of the program; the remaining balance is due by the start of the program.
WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY? Cancellations 60 days or more before the program begins will receive a refund, less the $25 non-refundable deposit per registration (and a 5% processing fee if a credit card was used for payment). Cancellations between 59 and 10 days of the start of the program will receive a 50% refund. Generally, there are no refunds for cancellations within 10 days of the program start date.
QUESTIONS? Contact Colleen Earp, Program Director, at colleen@massanettasprings.org or 540-434-3829.
Brian Childers
Brian Childers is an accomplished composer, conductor, and clinician. His choral, instrumental, and handbell works are performed throughout the world. He is in demand as a featured clinician at music conferences and festivals across the US. Brian’s compositions and arrangements are available through a variety of publishers.
Brian has earned degrees from Appalachian State University and the M. Christopher White School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University. He has conducted church and community groups and served churches in the Southeast US, building vibrant programs for choirs, handbells and instrumentalists at each. He currently serves as Director of Handbells and Children and Youth Music at Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC where he oversees a comprehensive handbell ministry to children, youth, and adults. In the spring of 2024, he was named Artistic Director of the Charlotte Bronze Handbell Ensemble. Brian shares his insights into the role of music and worship through “Cued In,” a blog on sacred music in worship sponsored by JW Pepper.
Brian is married to Keely Childers, a professional counselor and has two adult children, Hannah and Spencer, both of whom served as drum majors in their respective High School and College marching bands. Brian is an avid runner and a rabid fan of the San Antonio Spurs. You can learn more about Brian, his compositions, handbell devotional book “Ringing Deeply” and children’s book, “Boo and His Amazing Bells” at BrianChilders.org.
Our clinician, Brian Childers, has planned the repertoire lists to trace the liturgical year. This year’s program will feature two ensembles: a conference ensemble for everyone to participation, and an advanced ensemble for those looking for a little extra challenge. A reading session will also be offered. See “music purchasing” tab for buying options for each.
conference ensemble
Advent: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (arr. Cathy Moklebust), level 2, 3-5 octaves
Ordinary Time: O God, Our Help in Ages Past (arr. Brian Childers), level 2+, 3-5 octaves
Thanksgiving: Give Thanks (arr. Kevin McChesney), level 2, 3-5 octaves
Easter: Thine is the Glory (arr. Brian Childers), levels 1-2, 3-5 octaves
advanced ensemble
Christmas: On Christmas Day in the Morning (arr. Tammy Waldrop), level 3+, 3 or 5 octaves
Pentecost: Quickening Spirit (by Phoebe Young), level 3+, 3-5 octaves
Katelyn Finch
Katelyn Finch is a dear friend of Massanetta, having served in a variety of leadership roles with our Middle School Conferences, as well as photographing a number of our retreat and conference programs. She is a student at Union Presbyterian Seminary pursing ordination through the Presbytery of East Tennessee while under care of First Presbyterian Church of Knoxville where she was a youth director. She is from Fairhope, AL and holds a degree in hospitality from Auburn University. When Katelyn is not studying, she enjoys hikes with her German Shepherd, trivia nights with her boyfriend, or doing energizers at Massanetta.
Registration WILL OPEN SEPTEMBER 2026.
Please submit the form below for each individual participant. If you prefer to register by phone, please contact our registrar Cherokee Adams at 540-434-3829.
2027 PRICES PER PERSON:
Commuter: $195
Richardson Double (single dorm-style room, shared bath): $269
Richardson Single (single dorm-style room, private bath): $295
Hubler Double (shared hotel-style room): $309
Hubler Single (private hotel-style room): $375
See Music Ordering tab for repertoire prices and options
Please read carefully, and contact Colleen with any questions: colleen@massanettasprings.org.
You may order music through us, or you may order it directly from your preferred music distributor (for more information about individual pieces, view this list). There is no expectation to prepare in advance, but some groups prefer to order the music directly and have it ahead of time anyway. If you’d like to order through us and have it waiting at the retreat, select what you need below.
Every bell choir will need one copy of “Thine is the Glory,” which may be copied for everyone in your ensemble. We’ll make copies for you ahead of time if you buy it through us! If you are coming as an individual, we’ll make sure you’re included in that piece— you do not need to purchase a full choir piece as an individual (unless you want to bring it back home for your choir!).
The rest of the pieces are grouped together for the conference ensemble (for both 2-3 octave and 3-5 octave choirs) and the advanced ensemble.
Reading session music will be available at the retreat. All may participate in the reading session at no additional charge, and copies may be purchased after the session at a discounted price.
Below is a tentative schedule for our 2027 program. The final version will be available in January. Printed copies of the schedule will be available at check in.