Overview
February 18-20, 2022
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 17, 2022
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
Friday February 18
3:00 Registration and setup begins at Stewart Hall
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Welcome and Orientation
7:15-9:15 Ringing Rehearsal
9:15 Fellowship, Snacks, & Refreshments
Saturday February 19
8:00 Breakfast
8:45-10:15 Ringing Rehearsal
10:15-10:45 Half-hour Break
10:45-11:45 Ringing Rehearsal
11:45-12:15 Ringing Rehearsal: Challenge Piece
12:30 Lunch
1:30-2:30 Workshop: How am I supposed to play that?
2:30-2:45 Short Break
2:45-3:45 Workshop: Marking time!
3:45-4:15 Half-hour Break
4:15-5:45 Ringing Rehearsal
6:00 Dinner
6:50 Group Photo
7:00-8:00 Ringing Rehearsal
8:00 Cookies & Free time
8:30-9:00 Informal Forum
Sunday February 20
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-10:15 Final Rehearsal - all pieces
10:15-10:30 Prepare for worship
10:30-11:45 Worship Celebration with Bells
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Farewell! Have safe travels!
Worship
Join us for closing worship on Sunday, February 20 at 10:30AM in Stewart Hall.
Rev. Keith Phillips, preaching (Genesis 8:20-22, Revelation 22:1-5)
Joe Kennedy and Sarah Kennedy, directing
Questions? Contact Colleen Earp, Program Director, at colleen@massanettasprings.org.
Evaluation
We value your feedback! Please fill out the form below after the conference is complete.