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

2026 SMOKY MOUNTAIN RING
LOCATION: Grace Lutheran Church,
9076 Middlebrook Pike
Knoxville, TN 37923
DATES: April 17 - 18, 2026
CLINICIAN: Greig Ashurst
COST: $175 per choir or $25 per ringer up to 6 ringers in an ensemble

 

Our Clinician

Greig Ashurst

Greig Ashurst is a highly accomplished music educator, conductor, clinician, and performer with a career spanning over four decades. His expertise encompasses music education, educational philosophy, technology, musical instrument design, and music performance. And,  he has made significant contributions to the field of handbells.

Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Mr. Ashurst began his musical journey as a percussionist. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting from the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

Mr. Ashurst has held music educator positions at universities and public and private institutions in Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas. He currently serves as the Director of Bands and Director of Technology at Cathedral-Carmel School in Lafayette, Louisiana. He is also the Youth Music and Instrumental Director at Asbury United Methodist Church in Lafayette.

Throughout his career, Mr. Ashurst has received numerous accolades, including being named "Teacher of the Year" at both North Vermilion High School in Maurice, Louisiana (2009) and CW Stanford Middle School in Hillsborough, North Carolina (2003).

As a clinician, Mr. Ashurst is in high demand, having taught at numerous state Music Educator Association clinics, clinics for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Handbell Ringers of Japan, the International Handbell Symposia, and the Handbell Musicians of America national festivals and seminars.

Mr. Ashurst's conducting engagements have taken him to national and international events, including the International Handbell Symposium in Hamamatsu, Japan, and the Indiana and Louisiana All-State Handbell Ensembles. He has also conducted innumerable local and area honor bands, honor choirs, and handbell events.

A pioneer in the world of handbells, Mr. Ashurst is particularly renowned for his work with mallets. He designed the Greig Ashurst Artist Series and the Greig Ashurst Legato Series Mallets, which have revolutionized the timbral landscape of contemporary handbell performance and music. He is also the author of a new book, Mastering Mallet Technique, published by Hope Publishing. Moreover, he designed two new instruments for Schulmerich Bells, LLC. The Glockenspiel by Schulmerich is the most authentic Glockenspiel on the market. It has the same range and transposition as an orchestral glockenspiel but is made using handbell castings instead of steel bars. The SMB (Silver Melody Bell Glockenspiel) is constructed using Schulmerich's Silver Melody Bell Castings.

Ashurst's music has been published by GIA Publications, Hope Publishing, and From the Top Publishing. He is a board member for the Southwest Louisiana Band Directors' Association, chair of the All-State Handbell Ensemble for LMEA, and currently serves on the board of the International Handbell Committee as the president of the Handbell Musicians of America.

Dedicated to music education, Mr. Ashurst is a strong advocate for the use of handbells in schools, believing them to be an ideal tool for teaching music at all age and skill levels.

Greig Ashurst resides in Lafayette, Louisiana, with his wife, Lauren Montgomery Ashurst. They have three children: Katherine (19), Luc (18), and Sam (16).

 

Music Selections

General Session pieces

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.

 MUSIC SELECTIONS

  • Jubilant Praise
    Jantz A Black
    Hope Publishing 2990
    3-6Oct HB
    3-6 Oct HC
    Level 3-

  • Resounding Jubilation
    Dan Edwards
    MAG35312
    Level 3
    3-5 Octaves

  • Joy in the Morning
    Martha Lynn Thompson
    MHP1973
    MHPF9558 Brass and Conductor Score
    3-5 Octaves
    Level 3

  • Change Ring Prelude on Divinum Mysterium (Festival Piece 2007)
    Fred Gramann
    MLC201239L  3-6 Oct
    MLC201537L 2-3 Oct
    Level 3+

  • Sing a Song of Bethlehem
    Chris Burton
    MHP3065
    Level 2
    3-5 Octaves

  • Be Thou My Vision
    Anna Laura Page
    MCGB670
    3, 4 or 5 Octaves  with Flute
    Level 3

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.

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Schedule of Events

Friday, April 17
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 18

8:00am - Doors open, light breakfast
9:00am-10:00am - Rehearsal
10:00am-10:15am  - Break
10:15am-11:30am - Rehearsal
11:30am-12:30pm - LUNCH
12:30pm-1:45pm - Rehearsal
1:45pm-2:00pm - Break
2:00pm-3:30pm - Rehearsal
3:30pm-4:00pm - Set up 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

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Overtones (The Extra Stuff)

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.