Overview

With the uncertainty of the pandemic, and knowing that most of our usual ringers are unable to rehearse, we have decide to cancel this program. Please make plans to attend our 2022 Ringing at the Springs conference. The same clinicians featured here have graciously accepted to return.

February 19-21, 2021

Join us for our annual
Ringing at the Springs
Handbell Retreat

You are invited  to a weekend-long handbell retreat that inspires ringers and directors, rehearses great music under skilled direction, and enhances the bond of fellowship among bell choirs.

This retreat is perfect for church handbell choirs seeking new repertoire and new skills for the upcoming liturgical year. Individual ringers are more than welcome to attend and will be joined with a bell choir or combined individual ringer choir. 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. After a successful first year, Ringing at the Springs has continued to provide instruction and renewal for handbell ringers from all over, even outside of the state of Virginia!

Come ring, come play, come make new friendships and leave this special place feeling nourished both musically and spiritually.

Praise him with the clash of cymbals,
Praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Psalm 150:5-6

You may call us at the office with any questions: 540-434-3829

Please contact the Director of Programs with any programming questions, by phone or email.

Clinicians

Joseph H. Kennedy

Joseph Kennedy has served as a Minister of Music and Organist at several Roanoke churches since 1979. Joe has a degree in Organ Performance, and extensive training in choral and instrumental conducting, from the College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati. He has both directed and accompanied several staged shows at Showtimers, The Attic, and Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church. He is also active in various professional musical organizations, including The American Guild of Organists and The Handbell Musicians of America. His wife is also an organist and handbell director and they have 2 daughters – all musicians.

In 2007 he formed the Mill Mountain Ringers, an advanced community handbell group which presents two public concerts each year and plays other engagements.

After many years as a sales representative for Allen Organs, in 2017 Joe formed KennedyMusic of Virginia LLC and became the Allen Organ dealer for southwestern Virginia.

Sarah E. Kennedy

Sarah Kennedy is a lifelong bell ringer and has been directing for over 10 years. She began directing in her hometown of Roanoke, VA, and then directed a bell choir in Charlottesville, VA while obtaining a Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Virginia. While at UVA, Sarah also served as Music Director for Opera Viva (a student run opera group) for a season and studied choral conducting.

Sarah currently rings with the Peace Ringers in Annandale, VA and is a substitute director for a couple of bell choirs in the Northern Virginia area. She has performed in the Virtuoso event sponsored by the Raleigh Ringers since the inception of the event in 2013 and has been a part of multiple other advanced ensembles including Distinctly Bronze and Synergy. In addition to musical pursuits, Sarah is a Project Manager in the healthcare division of Clark Construction Group based in Bethesda, MD.

Testimonial

“Ringing at the Springs comes along at just that point between Christmas and Easter when our bell choir is looking for some fun and a challenge. Spring is just around the corner, and Massanetta is the perfect place to spend a weekend ringing bells with old and new friends. We are remembering Nick Hanson from a few years back, and are looking forward to his leadership again in February. Good music, good friends, good food, and wonderful Massanetta hospitality abound - and that is what brings our bell choir back year after year. Repertoire is already posted on the Massanetta website, so there is plenty of time to prepare. If you've never been to RATS, come and enjoy a great time!”

- Carol Lown

Registration and Repertoire

Save $20 when you register by
January 18, 2021

Cost: $245 for ringing, meals, and double occupancy lodging in Richardson Hotel. ($265 after 1/18/21)

Commuter Cost: $185 for ringing and all meals. ($205 after 1/18/21)

Please write checks to Massanetta Springs and mail registration forms to. . .

Massanetta Springs
712 Massanetta Springs Rd
Harrisonburg, VA  22801

Download this year’s repertoire list above!
All ringers are responsible for purchasing and bringing their own music.

Check out last year’s repertoire.

You may call us at the office with any questions: 540-434-3829

Please contact the Director of Programs with any programming questions, by phone or email.

Schedule

The following is a tentative schedule for Ringing at the Springs 2021

Friday February 19
3:00 Registration and setup begins            
6:00 Dinner                        
7:00 Welcome and Orientation           
7:15 Ringing Rehearsal
9:15 Fellowship, Snacks, & Refreshments              

Saturday February 20
8:00 Breakfast                   
8:45 Ringing Rehearsal                
10:15 Break
10:45 Ringing Rehearsal              
12:30 Lunch                       
1:30 Optional Workshop       
2:45 Optional Workshop               
3:45 Break                        
4:15 Ringing Rehearsal                 
6:00 Dinner                       
7:00 Ringing Rehearsal              
8:00 Cookies & Free Time              

Sunday February 21
8:00 Breakfast                    
9:00 Final Rehearsal - all pieces            
10:15 Prepare for worship
10:30 Worship Celebration with Bells (open to the community)        
12:00 Lunch (family and friends are invited to join for $11.50/per person)