Smoky Mountain Ring (A Knoxville Area Handbell Festival)
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Our Mission:

Ring.

This is your chance to join hundreds of handbell enthusiasts from all around the East Tennessee area.

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Who we are

Smoky Mountain Ring, formerly known as the Knox Area Handbell Festival, had its beginnings in 1996 and is held every year during the spring. Nationally known clinicians lead the festivals. The goal is to provide an educational event in a multi-choir environment. Handbell ringing can bring together, in a unique way, people of all ages, experiences, backgrounds, and interests into one cohesive, musical ensemble. Ringing provides an outlet and a common ground for people who otherwise would not have anything to bring them together.

It’s great if you can bring your whole handbell choir, but if you can only get a few ringers together, that’s okay, too. (In massed ringing, someone is likely doubling or tripling your part already.) “Orphan” ringers are always welcome, and we can give you a spot in a handbell choir in advance so that you can be prepared when you arrive. We strive to make our festivals a positive experience for both the advanced ringer and the beginner. Our clinician will lead rehearsals and direct us in a final concert, oftentimes with brass, keyboard or other instruments joining us. It’s a wonderful way to get re-energized and focused on this wonderful musical art.

 
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Our Festival

2025 SMOKY MOUNTAIN RING
LOCATION: Grace Lutheran Church,
9076 Middlebrook Pike
Knoxville, TN 37923
DATES: April 4 - 5, 2025
CLINICIAN: Brenda Austin
COST: $175 per choir or $25 per ringer up to 6 ringers in an ensemble

 

Our Clinician

Brenda Austin

Brenda E. Austin is a dynamic and energetic conductor, clinician and composer 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 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 form the University of Missouri – Kansas City.  She studied with Criag Arnold, Steve Zegree, and Eph Ehly.

Brenda is in demand as a handbell clinician throughout the year and been the conductor and clinician at numerous festivals and workshops including HMA National Seminar, and many of the Areas’ festivals.  Additionally, she has had more than 85 titles published for handbells and sacred choral since 2015.

For more information about Brenda, please visit her website at www.BrendaEAustin.com

 

Music Selections

General Session pieces

Choirs will select either Tins or Coppers for their alternate pieces to allow for various difficulty levels to be presented during the final performance.  All choirs are expected to play the Massed Selections.

It is important that you fully rehearse these selections before the festival, as we have limited rehearsal times during the event.  Music can be purchased from www.handbellworld.com and found using the links below.

 MASSED SELECTIONS for Tins and Coppers

TIN Selections

COPPER Selections

Each group is responsible for purchasing enough copies of the music for their choir.  Photocopied music is not allowed even if you have a master backup.  This Festival will be a Handbell Musicians of America, endorsed event.  Thank you for your understanding.

Schedule of Events

Friday, April 4
11:00am–4:00pm - Choirs may set up tables and music
4:00pm-5:00pm – Drills, Thrills and Skills

During this hour, ringers and directors will not only experience a good review of techniques and skills – all while having FUN!!

5:00pm–6:45pm - Choirs may set up tables and music
7:00pm–9:00pm - OPENING SESSION: General Music

Saturday, April 5
7:30am - Doors open for attendees
8:00am - Light breakfast available
8:30am – 9:30am - SESSION: General Music
9:30am – 10:00am – SESSION: Tin Music only
10:00am –10:10am – Break
10:10am –10:45pm – SESSION: Copper Music only
10:45pm –11:15pm - SESSION: General Music
11:15pm – 11:30pm – Break
11:30am – 12:00pm – SESSION: General Music
12:00pm – 1:00pm – LUNCH
1:00pm – 1:45pm – SESSION: Copper Music only
1:45pm – 2:15pm - SESSION: Tin Music only
2:15pm – 2:30pm – BREAK
2:30pm – 3:30pm – SESSION: General Music
3:30pm - Set up playing space for concert
4:00pm - CONCERT. The public is invited to this free event.

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Smoky Mountain Ring
Festival Registration Form

COST: $175 per choir or $25 per ringer up to 6 ringers in an ensemble. Payment information is below form.

PAYMENTS

We cannot take online payments at this time, so please send $35 deposit or full amount to the address below. Make your check payable to Knox Area Handbell Festival.

SETUP

Participating handbell ensembles should please bring bells, chimes (if owned), tables, foam, gloves, mallets, and stands as needed to rehearse and perform all desired selections.  Setup will only be allowed during the times noted on the Festival schedule.  Chairs, snacks and drinks will be provided throughout the Festival

Knox Area Handbell Festival
c/o Les Beaver
4700 Nocona Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37909

Overtones (The Extra Stuff)

Optional Lunch ($10.00)

Chicken salad sandwich on whole grain white bread (chicken, dill, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, finely diced celery)

Fruit salad (no dressing, seasonal fruit such as grapes, apples, pineapple, blueberries and strawberries)

Choice of chips

Cupcake, vanilla or chocolate with buttercream icing (NOT gluten-free, and they contain eggs and dairy, no cream cheese)

Assorted sodas and water available

Gluten-free offering:   Chicken salad on lettuce, Fruit

Vegetarian:        Pimento cheese on whole grain white bread, Fruit

No vegan offering except for fruit.

SMR Committee Members

Becky Kidd, Chairman
Les Beaver, Treasurer
Ashley Burell
Deborah Cain
Tim Lett
Neri Beaver

Participating handbell ensembles should please bring bells, chimes (if owned), tables, foam, gloves, mallets, and stands as needed to rehearse and perform all desired selections.  Setup will only be allowed during the times noted on the Festival schedule.  Chairs, snacks and drinks will be provided throughout the Festival.