Saturday, February 22, 2025
Perry Methodist Church, Perry, GA
Clinician: Dr. John A. Behnke
Ring in the Fun at the 2025 Georgia Spring Ring!
Calling all handbell enthusiasts! Mark your calendars for the 2025 Georgia Spring Ring, a fun-filled day of massed ringing for both established groups and individual ringers.
This exciting event, held on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025, will be hosted by Perry Methodist Church in Perry, GA, and is proudly sponsored by Area 4 – Handbell Musicians of America.This one-day event includes both massed ringing and ongoing education opportunities for ringers to hone their skills. Lunch will be provided, and a free public concert will round out the day.
What to Expect:
- Renowned Conductor: The day will be led by the esteemed Dr. John A. Behnke, who will guide you through a joyful day of music-making.
- Group and Individual Ringers Welcome: Whether you’re part of a established ensemble or attending on your own, there’s a place for you!
- Music Preparation: Please prepare the music beforehand to ensure a smooth and harmonious experience.
- Bring Your Own Equipment: Groups are responsible for bringing their own handbells, stands, and other equipment.
- Georgia Casual Dress: Feel free to dress comfortably in “Georgia Casual” attire or your group’s favorite polo shirt.
Registration Details:
- Registration Fee: $25.00 per ringer by January 31st, 2025.
- Lunch Included: A delicious lunch is included in your registration fee.
- Membership Not Required: Participation is open to everyone, regardless of Handbell Musicians of America membership.
- No Refunds: Due to event and meal costs, unfortunately, refunds cannot be processed after January 31st.
Event Location:
Perry Methodist Church (Family Life Center) 1009 Main Street Perry, Georgia 31069
Additional Information:
- Youth Participation: Youth choirs are welcome to participate at their skill level.
- Chaperone Requirement: Underage participants (17 and younger) must be accompanied by a chaperone (one adult, 21 years and older, per 6 youth).
- Parental Consent Forms: Parental Consent and Medical Authorization Forms may be required for underage participants. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
- Individual Ringers: Space is limited for individual ringers. Please indicate “individual” and your preferred ringing position on the registration form. We’ll do our best to place you in a “host” choir that complements your skills.
Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to hone your skills, connect with fellow handbell enthusiasts, and create beautiful music together! Register today for the 2025 Georgia Spring Ring!
2025 Georgia Spring Ring
Perry Methodist Church (Family Life Center)
1009 Main Street
Perry, Georgia 31069
All ringers will need to prepare music before the event, and groups will need to bring their own equipment.
Massed:
- Fantasy on Holy, Holy, Holy arr John Behnke – L2+ – Concordia – CO977972
- Joy and Elation by Cynthia Dobrinski – L2+ – Hope – HP2457
- Grazioso by Arnold Sherman – L2+ – Red River Music – RRHB0042
- Joyous Spirit by Valerie Stephenson – L2+ – Red River Music – RRBL5019
Peaches (Level 2 – 2+)
- Remembering by John Behnke – L2 – JAB Publishing – JAB043
- Gratitude by Alex Guebert – L2- – Ringing Word – RW8274
Peanuts (Level 3+ – 4+)
- On Eagle’s Wings arr John Behnke – L3 – Concordia – CO978028
- Fancye by Tim Waugh – L4+ – Jeffers – JHS9336
Online Registration Form:
https://bit.ly/GASpringRingRegistration
Downloadable Registration Form:
Georgia Spring Ring 2025 Registration Form
Date:
Location:
1009 Main Street
Perry, Georgia 31069
Clinician/Conductor:
Ringers Registration Fee:
Concert Dress:
Registration Deadline
Participants Under 18?
Youth choirs are welcome to participate at the proper level of their ability. Underage participants (17 and younger) must be chaperoned (one adult, 21 years and older, per 6 ringers under the age of 17). There may be a need to have Parental Consent and Medical Authorization Forms filled out. Please email [email protected] for more information.
Questions?
Tentative Event Schedule:
8:15 – Check In and Set up
9:00 – Welcome and Announcements
9:15 – Massed Rehearsal
10:15 – Break
10:30 – Peaches Rehearsal / Classes for Peanuts
11:00 – Peanuts Rehearsal / Classes for Peaches
11:30 – Break
11:45 – Massed Rehearsal
12:15 – Lunch (Provided with Registration)
1:15 – Massed Rehearsal
1:45 – Peanuts Rehearsal / Classes for Peaches
2:15 – Peaches Rehearsal / Classes for Peanuts
2:45 – Massed Rehearsal
3:15 – Break
3:30 – Concert (open to the public)
4:30 – Pack up & Head Home
Dr. John Behnke has a long and successful record of leading handbell choirs at the highest level. His handbell choirs have been chosen three times to play at Handbell Musicians of America National Seminars – Palm Springs, Dallas, and Grand Rapids. He was the director of the Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble from 2003 until 2019 and he directed The Alleluia Ringers of Concordia University Wisconsin from 1986-2015. These groups recorded many of the music on the demo tapes for AGEHR Publishing.
As the former Music Editor of AGEHR Publishing (Handbell Musicians of America), Dr. Behnke enjoys composing and arranging, having over 550+ handbell, choral, and organ compositions in print with nineteen different publishers in the United States, Germany, and Taiwan. A complete works listing can be found online at www.johnbehnke.com. He recently began his own publishing line entitled JAB Publishing.
Dr. Behnke is Emeritus Professor of Music of Concordia University, in Mequon, Wisconsin, where for 29 years (1986-2015) he taught organ and church music courses, and directed The Alleluia Ringers, Concordia’s touring handbell choir. The Master’s program he authored and led at Concordia University Wisconsin was instrumental in the education of countless well-known handbell musicians.
Presently, Dr. Behnke is the organist at Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Charlotte, Florida, and is a board member of the American Guild of Organists, Sarasota/Manatee chapter. He was recently awarded the Honorary Life Membership in 2020 by Handbell Musicians of America, and is a proud member of Area 4.