February 16-18, 2024
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!
Registration is open until Monday, February 5, 2024.
For questions about the program contact Colleen Earp: colleen@massanettasprings.org.
For questions about registration contact Sarah Grace Hall: sarahgraceh@massanettasprings.org.
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. We’ll provide the music, which is included in the cost of 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, including an optional challenge piece. 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!
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 2023. An online form will be available for individuals and choirs to register, or you may register by phone. Payment may be made by mailing a check or calling the office to make a credit card payment.
QUESTIONS? Contact Sarah Grace Hall, Reservations Manager, at 540-434-3829 or sarahgraceh@massanettasprings.org for more information.
Kath Wissinger
Kath Wissinger is all about the bells - and bell people!! She is a composer, director, teacher, ringer, known for her clear and encouraging directing style and her clever teaching methods. Kath loves working with ringers of all ages and levels. She directs Mosaic (an advanced community group) and Gloria Dei (an adult church group.) She taught 5th-8th graders for 18 years and directed church youth ringing groups for almost 30. Recently elected as a Board member for the national handbell guild (Handbell Musicians of America), Kath has a long history of service: on the Area 3 Board, planning and leading events, coordinating both the Area 3 Chime Loan program and the Handbells in Education Column for Overtones (HMAs periodical), mentoring new directors and events. With over 250 pieces in print, her innovative compositions span all levels and genres including hymns, small ensembles, bell trees and her Level 1 curriculum, Square One. She lives in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley just a few minutes from Massanetta Springs.
music purchasing options
New this year: full packets will be available for purchase for $25 as part of registration! We will learn all music together during the weekend, so no need to pre-purchase and prepare. Packets will be at Massanetta Springs waiting for you.
Participants may purchase music in advance if desired, or may already own some of the pieces and wish to only buy some of the titles. Links are included below.
repertoire and clinician’s notes
HP2992 L3 3-5 oct. (3-5 oct. chimes)
bright and snappy, based on a old gospel tune, mallets in bass, TD in treble; Kath shares some ideas about chime assignments here.
RE8001 L3 3-5 oct. (3-5 oct. chimes)
original, for communion, Lent or general use; a few mart lifts, chromatics, haunting, in ¾
Sing We Now of Christmas (Larson)
BEHB169 3-5 oct. L3/4
Easter or Christmas, Mallets and chromatics. A fun piece.
Rejoice He is Risen (Rejoice in the Spirit) (Moklebust)
L2 CGB720 (2-3 oct.) or CGB721 (3-6 oct.)
original, syncopated, everyone involved, BIG chords, general use, Easter
LC201147L L3 3-5
original, one of my favorites, soft and flowing
Andrew Byrd
Andrew hails from Charleston, South Carolina, and graduated from Charleston County School of the Arts. He received his Bachelor of Sacred Music degree from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, where he studied organ and harpsichord with Dr. Joby Bell. After three years as Minister of Music and Organist at Sea Island Presbyterian Church in Beaufort, SC, he began his studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA, and will graduate with a Master of Divinity this coming May. In the meantime, he serves as the organist at Ginter Park United Methodist Church in Richmond.
Registration will open September 15, 2023
The early bird deadline is January 15, 2024. Get $20 off your registration with the discount!
Registration closes on Monday, February 5, 2024.
Pricing: HUBLER LODGE IS FULL! Please see other registration options below:
Commuter Rate: $185
Richardson Single Occupancy (private suite): $285
Richardson Double Occupancy (single room, shared bathroom): $249
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!
Here is our 2023 schedule to give you an idea of the program until our 2024 schedule is planned.
Friday February 18
3:00-6:00 Check in, set up, settle in Stewart
6:00-6:45 Dinner Dining Hall
7:00-7:30 Welcome, Introductions, and Orientation Stewart
7:30-9:15 Ringing Rehearsal (with breaks) Stewart
9:15-9:45 Fellowship, Snacks, & Refreshments Stewart
Saturday February 19
8:00-8:45 Breakfast Dining Hall
9:00-12:15 Ringing Rehearsal Stewart
12:30-1:15 Lunch Dining Hall
1:15-2:15 Rest
2:15-3:15 Workshop: Team Handbell* Stewart
3:00-5:45 Ringing Rehearsal (with breaks!) Stewart
6:00-6:45 Dinner Dining Hall
6:50-7:00 Group Photo Stewart
7:00-8:00 Ringing Rehearsal Stewart
8:00-9:30 Refreshments, Games, AMA with director Stewart
Sunday February 20
8:00-8:45 Breakfast Dining Hall
9:00-10:15 Final Rehearsal - all pieces Stewart
10:15-10:30 Prepare for worship
10:30-11:45 Worship Celebration with Bells Stewart
12:00-12:45 Lunch Dining Hall
1:00 Check out and departure
*This workshop will focus on rhythmic precision, artistry in ringing and team building. Ours is an instrument which requires anywhere from 2 to 30 hands to play. In order to achieve musical excellence, we have to work together as a well-oiled machine. We’ll utilize rhythm exercises and listening skills (and tennis balls!) to help build the team all without handbells!