Brenda Austin
Snake River Handbell Conference
February 7-8, 2025
Central Elementary Gym
1415 6th Street S
Nampa, Idaho
Clinician: Brenda Austin
Information *** Registration *** Repertoire
Come and join many other handbell musicians ringing six great pieces under the direction of Brenda Austin. The pieces are level 2-3 incorporating various music styles, techniques, and seasons. The weekend begins with set-up Friday, February 7 in the late afternoon with the opening rehearsal at 6:30 pm. It continues Saturday beginning at 9:00 am and concludes with a concert for the community at 6:30 pm. Cost is $60 per person postmarked on or before December 13, 2024 and $70 after December 13. This includes all conference activities plus snacks on Saturday. A $10 discount is offered for 2 or more from the same immediate family. The first family member pays full price; each additional person from the family is $10 less.
Brenda Austin is in demand nationally as a conductor and clinician because of her dynamic and energetic approach to 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, PN. 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 from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She studied with Craig Arnold, Steve Zegree and Eph Ehly. Brenda is sought after as a handbell clinician throughout the year and has been the conductor and clinician at numerous festivals and workshops including HMA National Seminar, Area 10 Handbell Conference in 2023, and many other Area festivals. Additionally, she has had more than 90 titles published for handbells and sacred choral since 2015.
Coppers Classic – About
Coppers Classic is a massed ringing event for advanced coppers handbell musicians held annually in October, in Portland, Oregon with participants from all over the United States and Canada. Musicians rehearse for three days, Friday through Sunday and present a public concert on Sunday afternoon.
Our handbell musicians are solidly coppers musicians. They have good handbell skills, a commitment to their ensemble and are the backbone of their choir. Passion and the desire to learn and grow as a handbell musician are the qualities that characterize those who will have a great Coppers Classic experience.
Do you love handbells? Do you have a passion to learn, to create the most musical experience of each composition and to celebrate your music making with others who share your joy? Then Coppers Classic is definitely for you!
Ellie Hodder
ELLIE HODDER is the Founder/Director of Coppers Classic.
Click here to view past repertoires. Lots of fun music!
Visit the Coppers Classic website for all the details and to register. Registration is now open.
Big Sky Handbell Festival
Clinician: LeAnna Willmore
April 25-26, 2025 Ammon, ID
Awe and Wonder
Siskiyou Summit Handbell Conference 2025
May 2-3, 2025 Ashland, OR
Mark your calendars for the 2025 Siskiyou Summit Handbell Conference. This year’s Guest Clinician is Jason Krug, our theme is “Awe and Wonder” featuring music that expresses the feeling when we experience the grandeur and beauty of God’s creation and His gift of love to us. Our weekend begins on Friday night with Massed Ringing rehearsal and continues Saturday with Massed, Division ringing and workshops with a closing concert in the evening. Click on the following links for Schedule, Repertoire List and Registration Materials. Registration opens January 1, 2025—Early Bird Registration Fee is $80/ringer before March 31 and $85/ringer after March 31. A $5 discount/person is available for choirs with 5 or more ringers attending.
Repertoire Schedule Registration
Jason Krug
Jason W. Krug (b. 1978) is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. He holds a degree in music from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Jason is a full-time freelance composer, arranger, clinician, and teacher. Since his first publication in 2006, he’s had over 500 compositions and arrangements accepted for handbells, piano, strings, organ, and choir. His works have been featured at numerous festivals and workshops in the United States and beyond. He is also handbell editor for Beckenhorst Press, as well as the owner of and editor for Grassy Meadow Music.
In his spare time, Jason enjoys writing. He has spent several years working on a young adult fantasy series, The Sadonian Chronicles, and has released a non-fiction book, The General Theory of Creativity. He also enjoys solving the Rubik’s Cube and similar puzzles, and has participated in several competitions sponsored by the World Cube Association.
Jason continues to live in Indianapolis with his wife Ellen, his sons Daniel and Malcolm, and his feline creative consultants Figaro and Nocturne. You can find him on the web at jasonwkrug.com and grassymeadowmusic.com.
Questions—contact me, Diane Barnes at [email protected]