Capital Area Handbell Festival

November 9, 2024

North Carolina State Fairgrounds  |  Raleigh, NC | 9 AM-5 PM

Join hundreds of other ringers to work with clinician Brenda Austin at the 35th 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

Brenda Austin is in demand nationally as a conductor and clinician because of her dynamic and energetic approach to connecting musicians through handbells. In 2019, Brenda joined the team at Hope Publishing Company in Carol Stream, IL, as Editor. In 2023, she was named Music Director for Embellish Handbell Ensemble. Before joining Embellish, she served as the Artistic Director for the Detroit Handbell Ensemble since 2016. Under her baton, DHE was honored to open the Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar in 2018 and to be the featured concert for HMA’s Area 2 2019 Festival in Lancaster, PA. Additionally, she has served First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids, MI, as Director of Music since 2003. She is also active in the community directing children’s musical theatre. Brenda graduated with degrees in Vocal Performance from Western Michigan University and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She studied with Craig Arnold, Steve Zegree and Eph Ehly.

Brenda is sought after as a handbell clinician throughout the year and has been the conductor and clinician at numerous festivals and workshops including HMA National Seminar, and many of the area festivals. Additionally, she has had more than 90 titles published for handbells and sacred choral since 2015. For more information about Brenda, please visit her website. www.BrendaEAustin.com

Repertoire

Courage and Grace / Mike Joy (Hope 3030)
Fantasy on All Creatures of Our God and King / arr. Sandra Eithun (GIA MGIG10915)
Shades of Forest Green / arr. Tim Waugh (Jeffers/Ring Out 920202115)
In The Bleak Midwinter / arr. Brenda Austin (Lorenz 20-1900L)
He Is Born, How Great Our Joy / arr. Brenda Austin (Beckenhrost HB708)

Optional: Wade in the Water / arr. Ben Tucker (Alfred 45230)

Cost

$48/person if registered or postmarked by September 30
$55/person if registered or postmarked October 1 or after

Registration

Registration will open this summer.

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/Person (administrative fee)
November 1-November 5 – Registration Minus $15/Person (administrative fee plus expenses incurred)

Additional Weekend Activities

Workshop

Friday, November 8, 7-10 pm at the Kerr Scott Building. $20 per person.
Clinician Brenda Austin will lead ringers through a sight-reading packet and workshop.

Advanced Read & Ring

Sunday, November 10, 1:30-5:30 pm at Raleigh Ringer Central. $20 per person.
Director David Harris will lead this reading session of advanced handbell music.

Registration for these standalone events is done through the CAHF registration (online or paper form).