Ringing Up!
Area 11 Festival
June 11-14, 2026 – Loveland, Colorado
- Clinician
- Registration
- Schedule
- Hotel
- Concerts
- Repertoire
- Ringing Tracks
- Classes
- All in One Information
- Membership/Payment
- Contact Info
David Harris
David M. Harris has been the director of The Raleigh Ringers since January of 1990, when he was instrumental
in the formation of the group. Under his leadership, The Raleigh Ringers have performed across much of the
United States; in France, England and Canada; on International Television on the “Hour of Power” program; as
a showcase choir for the Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar and Area Festivals; with the North
Carolina and Virginia Symphony Orchestras; and as special guest performers at the Chautauqua Institution in
Chautauqua, New York. The Raleigh Ringers are in constant demand as featured guest performers for various
artist series and handbell festivals around the country.
The Raleigh Ringers have premiered hundreds of handbell compositions by nationally-known handbell
composers including William Payn, Hart Morris, Arnold Sherman, Karen Buckwalter, Sandy Eithun, Cathy
Moklebust, Bill Griffin, and Fred Gramann. The group has worked with major handbell publishers to produce
both The Raleigh Ringers Series, and The Legacy Series; sets of handbell publications intended for advanced
choirs. To date, The Raleigh Ringers have released eight very popular CDs and two full-length DVDs. Both
DVDs have been featured in PBS Holiday specials syndicated across 250+ PBS stations and affiliates in 45
states. The Raleigh Ringers also record demonstration music several times a year for some of the leading
publishers of handbell music.
David is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and has studied conducting privately with Dr. William
Payn (Bucknell University). David was the director of the handbell program at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian
Church, and has served The Handbell Musicians of America in several capacities: as All-Star
Conductor, Crescendo Conductor, Ringing Track Conductor, Instructor for the National Seminar, North
Carolina State Chairman, and as Area III Treasurer. He chaired the HMA national committee that planned the
first Community/Professional Handbell Choir event, Pinnacle 2000, held in Las Vegas. He was elected in
March 2023 to a six-year term on the HMA National Board of Directors. In July 2023, David was awarded
Honorary Life Membership in HMA, the highest award presented by the organization. This distinction is
reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the art of handbell ringing. Because of his
strong interest in the development of community handbell programs, David and The Raleigh Ringers developed
and sponsor the biennial event, Virtuoso, a performance-focused event for advanced ringers. In addition,
David has led well over 200 handbell festivals and workshops in 39 states as well as in England, Singapore,
Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the Caribbean. He also serves as Honorary Consultant for Hong Kong
Bronze, an advanced handbell organization in Hong Kong. He has been the primary handbell clinician for
several denominational music events, including Montreat (NC), Lake Junaluska (NC), Lutheridge (NC), Mo-
Ranch (TX), Massanetta (VA) and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (KY). David is also one of
the co-founders of the very successful Capital Area Handbell Festival, held annually in Raleigh.
David has taken on a position as adjunct professor at Meredith College in Raleigh, where he leads the Meredith
College Ringers. He also conducts the educational groups sponsored by The Raleigh Ringers, the Millbrook and
Atlantic Ringers. He has written several articles for Overtones, the national publication of The Handbell
Musicians of America.
After growing up in the Northeast, David moved to Raleigh with his wife, Kristina. Dave and Kris have three
grown children and two grandchildren.
Registration fees DO NOT include hotel accommodations. Please see the Hotel tab for more information.
Full Festival Registration Fee includes admission to concerts, select meals (listed below), festival clinician, and the meeting space for classes and performances.
More information coming soon.
Schedule
Coming soon
Registration fees DO NOT include hotel accommodations. See Registration tab for more information.
The Embassy Suites Loveland Conference Center is located at 4507 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland, CO 80538.
You must make your own room reservation by contacting the hotel.
More information coming soon
Stay tuned for our schedule of concerts
Repetoire is not included in your registrations fees. Music must be purchased by the registrant and prepared in advance.
Repetorie and links for purchase coming soon.
Full Registrants will participate in the Mass Ringing Ensemble and will include a variety of music levels.
Ringing Up! Tracks:
CopperLite (Level 2 & 2+)
Copper-Bronze (Level 2+ & 3)
Polished Bronze (Level 3+ & 5)
If you are not sure which track to choose, consult with your director or refer to the repertoire list.
Keep watching for our schedule of workshops.
Ringing Up! 2026 ~ Loveland, CO
Area 11 Festival ~ June 11-14, 2026
Embassy Suites, Loveland Conference Center ~ Dave Harris, Clinician
RINGING UP! INFORMATION
Ringing Up! Tracks: If you are not sure which track to select, consult with your director or refer to the repertoire listed on the registration form. The levels of music for each track are below.
Copper Lite (Level 2+) Copper-Bronze (Level 3-4) Polished Bronze (Level 3-5)
YOUTH are encouraged to register for Copper-Bronze, but may choose any of the tracks.
All full Registrants will participate in the Mass Ringing Ensemble (Level 2-3).
Handbell Musicians of America Membership:
A current Handbell Musicians of America membership number must accompany every registration. If you are not an Individual Member, you may use your Director’s or Group’s number.
Classes:
There will be an exciting variety of classes! For example: bass bells, ringing techniques, conducting, music games, as well as sight reading sessions. Something for EVERY level! Saturday’s classes will be focused on music education. Faculty Applications will be accepted soon!
Ringing Position Preference:
You will have up to three choices of Ringing Range with five options (Low Bass, Bass, Battery, Treble, High Treble). We will do our best to accommodate one of these choices.
Repertoire:
You must purchase your own music packet prior to the Festival and bring it with you! The repertoire list and links for ordering are on the website. Festival music MAY be available to purchase at your Area 11 Read and Ring. Music must be purchased by the registrant and prepared in advance.
Area 11 Festival 2024 Repertoire – Coming soon
COPPER-LITE
COPPER-BRONZE
POLISHED BRONZE
HOTEL INFORMATION:
Registration fees DO NOT include hotel accommodations.
The Embassy Suites, Loveland Conference Center is located at 4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland, CO 80538.
You must make your own room reservation by contacting the hotel
Transportation: Keep watching for updated information.
Off-Site Lodging Surcharge: More information coming soon
FULL FESTIVAL REGISTRATION FEE includes admission to concerts, select meals (listed below), festival clinician, and the meeting space for classes and performances.
Registration: Coming soon
Registration must be completed online at area11.handbellmusicians.org/festival.
Payment:
Pay by credit card via PayPal. A 3% additional Processing fees will apply when paying online. A link will be available on the registration for.
Pay by check and mail to:
Anne Kleve, Area 11 Events Chair.
14706 Williams St, Thornton, CO 80602
Saturday ONLY Registration:
Saturday Evening Ring of Fame Banquet ONLY
Festival Refund Policy:
Stay tuned
Medical Emergency Form- Adult & Youth- Special Accommodations Needed
Allergies
Youth Protection Policy
Director & Chaperone Duties
Class Proposal Form- Faculty Application
Locals: Can you bring equipment? (Google Doc)
If you would like to donate/sponsor to help another attendee?
Attendees will need to bring their own music, binder, gloves, mallets for assigned position, final concert attire (???)
Questions/concerns? contact: Anne Kleve, Events Chair, 303-898-7056, [email protected]
This event is sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America, dedicated to uniting people through the musical art of handbell and handchime ringing.
Handbell Musicians of America Membership:
A current Handbell Musicians of America membership number must accompany every registration. If you are not an Individual Member, you may use your Director’s or Group’s number.
Not a member? Join Here
Registration must be completed online. Coming soon
Payment:
Pay by credit card via PayPal. A 3% additional Processing fees will apply when paying online. A link will be available on the registration form.
Pay by check and mail to:
Anne Kleve, Area 11 Events Chair.
14706 Williams St, Thornton, CO 80602
Questions/concerns? contact: Anne Kleve, Events Chair, 303-898-7056, [email protected]
We can’t wait for the next Area 11 Festival in 2026!
Subscribe to our Newsletter and Follow Us on Social Media so you don’t miss a single detail!
Questions: Contact our Events Chair, Anne Kleve, at [email protected]