Capital Area Handbell Festival

November 7, 2026

North Carolina State Fairgrounds  |  Raleigh, NC

Join hundreds of other ringers to work with Fred Gramann at the Capital Area Handbell Festival. Massed pieces (plus an optional piece) will be rehearsed in preparation of a concert at the end of the day. In addition to the massed ringing, choirs may choose to perform a solo. Registration includes lunch and a lunchtime concert by The Raleigh Ringers. Saturday’s activities begin with a downbeat at 9:00 am and conclude with a free massed choir concert at 4:00 pm.

Clinician

An internationally known composer, conductor, educator and handbell clinician, Fred Gramann is frequently invited all over the world to conduct festivals. He has been the director of the Bay View Week of Handbells since 2018 and has conducted both Distinctly Bronze East and West three times. He holds organ performance degrees from Syracuse University and the University of Michigan. With his wife, Nancy, he went to Paris, France in 1972 for organ study with Marie-Claire Alain and Maurice Duruflé. What was to be a nine-month stint evolved into a fifty-year musical adventure in the City of Light. Fred held the position of Director of Music at the American Church in Paris from 1976 to 2022 where he was organist and conducted the choral and handbell programs. Fred and Nancy now reside in the French city of Orléans.

 

 

Repertoire

Alleluia / arr. Fred Gramann (Sheet Music Plus – 3-4 Octaves Click Here – 5 Octaves Click Here)
Lead On, O King Eternal / arr. Judy Phillips (Ringing Word RW8147)
Shall We Gather at the River / arr. Shawn Gingrich (From The Top Music 20240)
On Christmas Day in the Morn / arr. Fred Gramann (Hope 1594)
We Three Kings / arr. Lloyd Larson (2-3 octave version is Beckenhorst HB884; 3-6 octave version is Beckenhorst HB885 – available by 4/1/2026)

Optional: Jingle Bells / arr. Sandra Eithun (Beckenhorst HB882 – available by 4/1/2026)

Jeffers Handbell Supply has created a link to order the music. We Three Kings and Jingle Bells will be added when available. Alleluia will be available through Sheet Music Plus. CLICK HERE 

Cost

$50.00/person if registered or postmarked by September 30
$60.00/person if registered or postmarked October 1 or after

Cancellations/Refunds

If you or a member of your group registers but cannot attend, we are offering refunds on the following schedule:
Before November 1 – Registration Minus $5.00/Person (administrative fee)
November 1 – November 4 – Registration Minus $15.00/Person (administrative fee plus expenses incurred)

Additional Weekend Activities

Workshop

Friday, November 6, 7-9:30 pm at the Kerr Scott Building. ($20.00/person)
Clinician Fred Gramann will lead ringers through a sight-reading packet and workshop.

Advanced Read & Ring

Sunday, November 8, 1:30-5:30 pm at Raleigh Ringer Central. ($25.00/person)
Director David Harris will lead this reading session of advanced handbell music.

Hotels

Rates are for a certain number of of rooms blocked for booking for our event. They may sell out earlier and not be available before the cut-off date. Book as soon as possible to get these rates.

Ramada Inn
1520 Blue Ridge Road
Raleigh, NC 27607
Room: $109/night plus tax
Call hotel directly at 919-832-4100 and request Handbell Festival 26 to book.
Cut-off date for reservation: October 16, 2026

Holiday Inn
5630 Dillard Drive
Cary, NC 27518
King room: $169/night plus tax
Call hotel directly at 919.851.1220, or email hicary@apaventures.com, and use group code “RMI”
Cut-off date for reservation: October 1, 2026

Fairfield Inn
2201 Summit Park Lane
Raleigh, NC 27612
King room: $139/night plus tax
Call hotel directly at 919.881.9800 and request Capital Area Handbell Festival or book online
Cut-off date for reservation: October 16, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Rates good for Friday and Saturday nights

Four Points by Sheraton Raleigh Arena
1200 Hurricane Alley Way
Raleigh, NC 27607
Double queen or King room: $160/night plus tax
Call hotel directly at 919.854.0502 and request Capital Area Handbell Festival or book online
Cut-off date for reservation: October 20, 2026
Rates good for Friday and Saturday nights

Registration

You may register for any of these events online using the link below or you may download, print, and return the paper-based registration form found here.