2025 Florida Handbell Festival

March 21-22, 2025 – Brandon, FL

March 21-22,
Nativity Catholic Church, Brandon, FL
Clinician: Karen Buckwalter

Join Us for the 2025 Florida Handbell Festival!

We are excited to announce the upcoming 2025 Florida Handbell Festival, set to take place on March 21- 22 at the beautiful Nativity Catholic Church in Brandon, Florida, just east of Tampa. This is an incredible opportunity for handbell musicians of all levels to come together for a weekend of music, learning, and camaraderie.

World-Class Instruction

Learn from the best! Karen Buckwalter will be our esteemed clinician, guiding participants through a variety of challenging and rewarding repertoire. Karen’s expertise and passion will elevate your handbell skills to new heights.

Why You Should Attend:

  • Elevate Your Skills: Learn from Karen Buckwalter,a respected figure in the handbell community, and challenge yourself with exciting repertoire.
  • Connect with Others: Network with fellow handbell enthusiasts and build lasting friendships.
  • Immerse Yourself in Music: Experience the joy of ringing together in a supportive and inspiring environment.

This festival promises to be a memorable experience filled with music and community spirit. We invite you to mark your calendars and join us for a weekend dedicated to the art of handbell ringing!

Registration forms will be available soon!

We look forward to seeing you at the 2025 Florida Handbell Festival!

2025 Florida Handbell Festival
March 21-22, 2025
Nativity Catholic Church
705 E Brandon Blvd,
Brandon, FL 33511

A Diverse Repertoire

This year’s festival features a diverse selection of pieces, catering to ringers of all levels:

  • Massed:
    • Easter Joy – John Behnke – AGEHR AG35260  Level 2+
    • Alleluia (Honduras Alleluia) – Patricia Hurlbutt – GIA G-10221  L3
    • A Highland Blessing – Derek Hakes – From the Top 20788 L3
    • The Lord Now Sends Us Forth – Cathy Moklebust – Choristers Guild CGB1331 L2+
  • Coppers:
    • In the Shadow of Your Wings – Karen Buckwalter – Beckenhorst HB787   L3
    • Gypsy Song – Glen Adkins and Tammy Waldrop – Alfred AP36510 L3
  • Tins:
    • Larghetto in D minor – Matthew Mazzatenta – Lorenz  20/2142   L2
    • Hosanna, Loud Hosanna – Shawn Gingrich – Choristers Guild CGB1351  L2
  • Bronze:
    • Prayer for Healing – Karen Buckwalter AG46017 L4 
    • American Carillon – James Weber – Beckenhorst HB625  L4

Online Registration: 

Downloadable Registration: 

Registration Deadline: 

 

Date:

Friday, March 21 – Saturday, March 22, 2025
 

Location:

Nativity Catholic Church
705 E Brandon Blvd,
Brandon, FL 33511
 
 

Clinician/Conductor:

Karen Buckwalter
 
 

Ringers Registration Fee:

$TBD

 

Guest (Non-ringers) Registration Fee for meals:

$TBD
 

 

Concert Dress:

TBD
 

 

Group Registration

If multiple people from the same organization want to attend, one person can pay for all attendees, but each attendee will need to fill out a separate form with their own email address.

 

Ringing Position Assignments

Ringing positions will be determined by the event organizers.

 

Questions?

Please reach out to [email protected] for more information or any questions.

Participants Under 18?

For participants under 18 years old, a notarized parental consent and medical authorization form MUST be filled out. Please email [email protected] for more information.

 

Event Schedule:

Coming soon!

Karen Buckwalter, a distinguished organist, pianist and composer, served as a full time Minister of Music for 37 years in Hanover, PA. A graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ and The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, she is internationally known in the field of handbell composition.  Recognized for her original compositions such as “Soliloquy for Bells” and “Nocturne in a minor,” she now has over 140 handbell/choral compositions in print.  She has earned enthusiastic praise for her creative compositions, her colorful harmonies and her use of chromatics that have raised the musicality in handbell music as a genre.  Sought after as a handbell conductor/clinician throughout the country, her works have been performed and recorded in the United States, Asia and Europe.