2027 Florida Handbell Festival

Date:

March 12-13, 2026

Location:

Clinician/Conductor:

Questions?

On-Site Check-in & Set-up

Set-up and check-in are between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm on Friday. If you have your own tables, you are encouraged to bring them. Table rental fees are on the registration form. You should also bring foam, covers, and any equipment needed for ringing. Food and drinks are not allowed on the tables. Drinks should be capped, spill-proof, and kept beneath the tables.

Independents & Independent Hosts

We will try to place independents (formerly known as “orphans”) in your desired ringing position or as close as possible in a ‘host’ choir. Please mark independent on the registration form. Please do not opt out of bringing your own equipment for convenience, as orphan placement is limited. If your choir is bringing equipment and has open independent positions, please indicate those positions on the registration page.

Youth

Youth choirs are welcome to participate in the festival at the level appropriate to their ability. Underage participants (17 and younger) must be chaperoned (one adult, 21 years and older, per 6 ringers under the age of 17). Non-ringing chaperones may register as a guest for $35. Ringing chaperones must register as a ringer. A notarized medical release form is required for underage participants (see page 10).

Bronze Choir

This group is for individuals or groups who would like to ring additional advanced music. To participate, you must purchase additional music and prepare it before arriving at the festival. Additional rehearsals will be held, and you must attend all rehearsals to participate in the Bronze Choir. Fill out the Bronze Choir registration form and complete your registration by January 17, 2027. This choir will require a minimum number of ringers. We will try to send all assignments within the following week, giving ringers several weeks to rehearse the music and their assigned part.

Refunds

A non-refundable $25 administration fee applies to all refunds requested before March 1, 2027. We will not offer refunds after March 1, 2027, but you may transfer the registration to another ringer.

Classes

We will post a description of classes and instructors on our website in February, 2027. If there is a class you would like to see, or if you would like to be considered as an instructor, please email the Florida Chair at fl.area4@handbellmusicians.org. We greatly appreciate your feedback!

Dress

Dress casually; wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers for the AC. Please no cologne/perfumes as your neighbor may have allergies. No special dress is required for the concert, but matching shirts or outfits are encouraged.

Meals

We are pleased to offer the following meal options during the festival:

– Friday: Optional lunch available for pre-order ($12 per person, such as pizza or a similar option)

– Friday Dinner: On your own**

– Saturday: Lunch included with registration.

– Snacks and beverages will be available throughout the festival.

**Due to rising costs, we have decided to eliminate the included Friday dinner rather than increase registration fees. This allows us to keep registration costs the same for our attendees.

Note: If you require vegetarian meals, please order them for the entire event in advance.

Lodging

We will make a hotel list available soon. We will email you the hotel block details in January.

Lighting

The lighting in the ringing room may not be the same in all areas. Please feel free to bring a music light if you prefer.

Music

You must purchase and prepare the music before attending. The clinician will focus on the musicality of the pieces instead of notes and rhythms. No photocopies of the music allowed. If you use an electronic device, you must have written permission from the publisher per the Handbell Musicians of America guidelines (Click here for electronic music guidelines).

Tentative Event Schedule: 

Travel / Accommodations:

Brian Childers, Clinician

Brian Childers is an accomplished composer, conductor, and clinician. His choral, instrumental, and handbell works are performed throughout the world. He is in demand as a featured clinician at music conferences and festivals across the nation. Brian’s compositions and arrangements are available through a variety of publishers.

Brian has earned degrees from Appalachian State University and the M. Christopher White School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University. He has conducted church and community groups and served churches throughout the Southeast US, building vibrant programs for choirs, handbells and instrumentalists at each.

In 2019, Brian accepted the role of Music Editor with Handbell Musicians of America where he oversees and promotes the AGEHR music catalogue. He serves as Director of Handbells and Children and Youth Music at Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC where he has built a comprehensive handbell ministry for children, youth, and adults. In the spring of 2024, Brian was named Artistic Director of the Charlotte Bronze Handbell Ensemble. He regularly shares his insights through “Cued In,” a blog on sacred music in worship sponsored by JW Pepper.

Brian is married to Keely Childers, a professional counselor, and has two adult children, Hannah and Spencer, both of whom served as drum majors in their respective high school and college marching bands. Brian is an avid runner, reader, and a rabid fan of the San Antonio Spurs. You can learn more about Brian, his compositions, handbell devotional book “Ringing Deeply”, and children’s book, “Boo and His Amazing Bells” at BrianChilders.org.