Spring Festival 2027
Saturday, April 17, 2027
Medford United Methodist Church-Family Life Center
2 Hartford Road, Medford, NJ 08055
Join ringers for a day of massed ringing, culminating in a festival concert that is open to the public! Participants will rehearse under the direction of Ron Bellamy, and perform selections chosen to uplift and inspire.
Presented by Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble
Established in 2003, the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble (PHE) is a 501(c)(3) organization comprised of auditioned, advanced-level handbell ringers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Its repertoire spans original compositions, transcriptions of classical literature, and arrangements from a wide array of musical genres.
Ron Bellamy, Clinician
Ron Bellamy began ringing handbells in 1979 and has been active as a performer, director, and clinician ever since. A nationally recognized handbell soloist, he performs regularly with piano accompaniment by his wife, Linda Lorgus. He was the solo ringing clinician at the 2024 Handbell Musicians of America (HMA) National Seminar in Hartford, Connecticut, and the featured soloist at the 2025 HMA Area 2 Seminar in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
A former member of the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble, Ron is now in his fourth season as its Artistic Director. He is also a frequent clinician for HMA and has led programs for Handbell Exploration and Solo/Ensemble Extravaganza (SEE).
Recently retired after 25 years of directing church handbell ensembles, Ron has also led the Bucknell University Rooke Chapel Ringers on several occasions in Dr. William Payn’s absence. He is an experienced conductor of massed ringing events, most recently being the Peachtree City, GA Handbell Festival in March 2026.
Repertoire
Music has been chosen to accommodate a range of ensemble sizes with intermediate level ringing skills, or higher.
Levels: Level 2–3
Scores: Participants are responsible for purchasing their own music.
Repertoire:
Grazioso, Arnold Sherman (General); 3-5 octaves, level 2+
Red River Music, RRHB0042
Hymn of Promise, arr. Martha Lynn Thompson (General); 3-5 octaves, level 3
Hope Publishing Co., Code No. 1519
Rondo Giubilo, Robert Gardner (General); 2-5 octaves, level 3
From the Top Music, 2-3 octave version=Catalog 20912-3, 3-5 octave version=Catalog 20912-5 (Please make sure you order the correct version for your needs)
Savior of the Nations, Come, arr. Cathy Moklebust (Advent); 2-5 octaves + percussion, level 2
Choristers Guild, CGB173
Ding, Dong, Merrily on High, arr. Fred Gramann (Christmas); 3-5 octaves, level 3
Choristers Guild, CGB508
Lift High the Cross, arr. Cynthia Dobrinski (Easter); 3-5 octaves, level 3
Hope Publishing Co., Code No. 1491
Schedule of Events
Friday, April 16, 2027
5:30 – 7:00pm: Unload equipment and set up
7:00pm onward: Optional gathering at local establishment TBA
Saturday, April 17, 2027
7:30 am – 8:45am: Unload equipment and set up.
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Coffee and tea provided by 8:00 am
8:30 – 8:55am: Check-in and set up bells
9:00 – 10:15am: Massed rehearsal
10:15 - 10:30am: Break – coffee and tea provided
10:30 - 11:30am: Massed rehearsal continues
11:30am – 12:30pm: Lunch break on premises (bring your own, or order boxed lunch in advance)
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Choirs with solos may rehearse during lunch break (time slots to be assigned in advance)
12:30 – 2:00pm: Massed rehearsal continues
2:00 – 2:15pm: Break
2:15 – 3:30pm: Massed rehearsal continues
3:30 – 3:55pm: Break with light refreshments
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Choirs with solos may rehearse during break (time slots to be assigned in advance)
4:00pm: Festival Concert – open to the public
Post-concert: Break down equipment, loading, and cleanup.
Venue and Logistics
Location: Medford United Methodist Church-Family Life Center
2 Hartford Road, Medford, NJ 08055
The church is located in Medford NJ, about 45 minutes from the Philadelphia Airport.
Parking: There is plenty of free parking available in the lot. If needed, vans and trailers may be parked across the street in the lot at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Equipment: Ensembles should bring their own equipment: music, bells, chimes, foam, tables, and mallets.
Contact
For questions or additional information:
Point person: Barb Frame
Email: treasurer@phillybells.org