Embellish Handbells

‘Tis the Season to Embellish, feat. Campana – Holiday Concert
2024-12-21 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Detroit) | Rush Creek Bible Church, 2334 76th St SW, Byron Center, Michigan, 49315, United States
A second date for our Holiday Concert has been added! Join Embellish + Campana for our celebration of the holidays! This year, our concert theme will be “Journey to Joy.”

Discounted Group Tickets are available for just $9 each for groups of 10 or more tickets. Please contact us at Embellish@EmbellishHandbells.com to purchase your group tickets.

Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

Winter Warm Up
2025-03-15 08:30 - 14:30 | Kansas
Winter’s chill got you down? Warm up your handbell skills with Embellish! We’re hosting a relaxed day of classes for ringers of all levels – from newbies to seasoned pros. We’ve got coffee, muffins, treats, and lunch covered. All you need to do is register and join the fun! We’ll handle the rest.

There will be four class sessions, lunch, and a mini-concert by Embellish.

When & Where:

We are just days away from Winter Warm Up 2025! With over 80 ringers registered, we’re sure to have a fun day enjoying all things bell related! Below is some info you will want to review before Saturday.

Where to go: Rush Creek Bible Church, 2334 76th St SW, Byron Center, MI 49315.

Registration: Begins at 8:30 and goes until 9. A light breakfast snack will be available.

Class Schedule: At registration each ringer will receive their personalized class schedule for the day.

What to bring:

gloves if you have them

water bottle

dress comfortably, especially shoes. We recommend tennis shoes or sneakers of some sort. The church has requested that we do not wear black soled shoes in order to help protect their gym floor.

Speaking of shoes, you have the opportunity to donate your old sneakers to help support Embellish! We are partnering with GotSneakers to recycle and repurpose old footwear, with proceeds from this fundraiser going directly to support Embellish’s Tour Fund. If you have any old pairs of shoes laying around, please bring them to Winter Warm Up. We will have a donation box in the lobby, and appreciate any donations! Accepted shoes must be donated as a pair, and only the “styles” of shoes below are eligible for this program.

What to bring:

Gloves (bells and other equipment will be provided)

Dress comfortably (especially shoes, but please no black soled shoes per the church’s request)

Schedule:

8:30—Registration begins

9:00—Welcome & announcements

SESSION 1

SESSION 2

SESSION 3

LUNCH (included)

SESSION 4

Mini Concert by Embellish

Registration Information:

Registration is now closed! If you missed this year’s event, please make sure to sign up for our email list so you’ll be notified of the next workshop that Embellish hosts!

2025 Class Offerings

Based on feedback from previous workshops we have added new classes and brought back some of your favorites! Have each ringer read through the list below and choose the top 6 classes they would like to attend. They can indicate their choices on the Ringer Class Request Form provided.

Back-to-Basics: Learn the basics from picking up your bells to laying them down, and everything in between. This class will start from the beginning and will reinforce basic ringing techniques for bells and chimes.

Beyond Ringing: Once you’ve mastered how to ring, come discuss all that’s involved beyond ringing. Thumb damps, marts, plucks, mallets, tower swings…the list goes on and on. This class will discuss the proper way to do all things “beyond ringing.” Come learn the finer details of all the techniques above and learn ones you may not have ever heard of!

Big Bass Bells: If you’ve always wanted to ring the monsters, this class is for you. This class will discuss different techniques for ringing B3 on down, ideas for assignments, and healthy ringing.

Conducting Masterclass: Directors: improve your groups’ performance by improving your own. Brenda Austin, internationally known conductor, clinician and composer, will observe you “at work” and give you pointers. Each participant should bring with them copies of music they would like to conduct. It could be something you are working on with your bell choir currently. We will provide ringers for you to conduct. Brenda will give guidance, in the style of a masterclass, to improve your conducting and communication with your groups.

Dynamic Directing: Every director faces their own unique challenges. Whether you’re starting a beginning group, troubleshooting hard-to-ring passages or looking for your group to ring more musically, you are not in this alone. Brenda Austin is an internationally-recognized director and clinician who has directed groups of all levels and ages, and will share her insights from the other side of the podium.

Embellishments: Want to achieve that WOW factor from your congregation or audience? Learn how to “embellish” your performance by adding instrumentation and percussion. Explore sounds beyond bells that will create a knock-out performance. This class will allow ringers to have hands-on experience with different types of bells, chimes, and percussion instruments like wind chimes, tambourine, Djembe, Cajon, and many more!

From Start to Finish: This sight-reading session will allow ringers to work a piece from start to finish. Find a new stand partner, and experience ringing a new position while learning and perfecting a piece in a very short period of time. This class will ring a mid-level piece and is open to all abilities.

Practice Prep: Are you the type of ringer that wishes you had more time in rehearsal each week? There are so many things you can do to help learn a piece faster and more efficiently. Embellish will share thoughts on marking music, page turns, bell assignments, and individual work that will maximize your time spent as a group.

Rhythm and Games: Bell ringers are percussionists. Rhythm is our jam. But we don’t go it alone. Ringing in a group takes teamwork and trust. This class will improve rhythm using a fun team approach and will address how posture, body movement, and mood all contribute to ringing in time and on time.

Solo & Small Ensemble Ringing: Have you ever wanted to ring it all? This class will address the ins and outs of solo and small ensemble ringing so that you can take the stage on your own. Come learn what it takes to separate from the pack and go it alone.

Tackling Treble – Beginner: Come try your hand at treble. Ringers will learn how to ring multiple bells and will be introduced to shelly and 4-in-hand techniques. Basic techniques on bells and chimes will be covered.

Tackling Treble – Intermediate/Advanced: If you already ring multiples, come refine your technique and learn 6-in-hand in this advanced session. This class will also discuss how to mart, mallet, thumb damp, and pluck those hard-to-ring passages.

Tricks of the Trade: Do you want your performance to go from good to great? Sometimes we get in our own way and make things harder than they need to be. This class will share Embellish’s “secret sauce” on challenging passages, impossible measures, and the key to making it look easy. This class will also address the finer details of polishing your performance once the notes are mastered.

Weaving with Bells: This is not a crafting class! Weaving is a ringing technique – really!! It will help you get to that accidental or through those quick passages with bells and chimes. Learn how to take the confusion out of picking them up and putting them down.

Campana Mini Concert
2025-03-18 19:00 - 19:45 | Faith Community Church, 2600 7th St NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49504, United States
Join Embellish’s sister ensemble Campana for their upcoming mini concert! Admission is free, and we hope you will join us for a celebration of handbells!

Embellish Family Night at Applebee's
2025-04-28 16:00 - 21:00 | Caledonia Applebee’s, 1685 Market Place Drive SE, Caledonia, Michigan, 49316, United States
Support Embellish by dining out! When you order to dine in or take out at the Caledonia Applebee’s on Monday, April 28th, mention you are with Embellish, and 20% of your meal’s price will be donated back to Embellish!

We will also be holding this same fundraiser opportunity on Thursday, May 1st.

We hope you will join us, and don’t skip dessert (it’s for a good cause! )

RSVP to the event here: https://www.groupraise.com/events/301767

Embellish Family Night at Applebee’s
2025-05-01 16:00 - 21:00 | Caledonia Applebee’s, 1685 Market Place Drive SE, Caledonia, Michigan, 49316, United States
Support Embellish by dining out! When you order to dine in or take out at the Caledonia Applebee’s on Thursday, May 1st, mention you are with Embellish, and 20% of your meal’s price will be donated back to Embellish!

We will also be holding this same fundraiser opportunity on Monday, April 28th.

We hope you will join us, and don’t skip dessert (it’s for a good cause! )

RSVP to the event here: https://www.groupraise.com/events/301665

Spring Handbell Concert: "There's No Place Like Home"
2025-05-04 15:00 - 16:30 | Matthews Performing Arts Center at Cornerstone University, 3000 Leonard St NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49525, United States
Join Embellish Handbells as we perform songs around the theme of “There’s No Place Like Home” for our Spring Concert!

Online ticket sales have closed, but tickets will be available at the door for $14 each! Kids and students receive free admission.

Perennials for Sale at Concert:

An assortment of quart and gallon pot sized perennials will be available to take home (Suggested donation price: $15 each, cash or credit).

We’ll have Proven Winners® and Walters Gardens varieties of plants for sun and shade, courtesy of Walters Gardens.

All proceeds will support the Embellish Tour Fund.

Donate Your Old Sneakers to Help Support Embellish!

If you have any old pairs of shoes laying around, please bring them as a donation to help support Embellish! We are partnering with GotSneakers to recycle and repurpose old footwear, with proceeds from this fundraiser going directly to support Embellish’s Tour Fund.

We will have a donation box in the lobby at our Spring Concert, and appreciate any donations!

Accepted shoes must be donated as a pair, and only the below “styles” of shoes are eligible for this program.

Handbell Open House: Prospective Ringers & Community Welcome
2025-05-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Faith Community Church, 2600 7th St NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49504, United States
Join us on May 6th at 6pm for our Embellish Open House! Anyone who is interested in the “behind the scenes” of Embellish & Campana is welcome!

Prospective ringers are invited to come learn what it takes to be part of the group, whether you are interested in potentially ringing with Embellish or Campana.

Local handbell ringers and/or directors can stay (or join) at 7pm to see how we run an Embellish rehearsal. We will have additional bells set up so that you can join in ringing with us as well!

Community musicians interested in partnering with Embellish are welcome to attend as well, to meet Brenda E. Austin – The Embellish Family’s Music Director.

RSVPs appreciated via this Facebook Event or to Embellish@EmbellishHandbells.com.

Schedule for Open House:6:00pm – An informal time to talk with our Music Director, Brenda Austin7:00pm – Embellish will rehearse beginning at 7:00 and you are welcome to watch the rehearsal, or join in and ring with the group.

Summer Tour: Send-Off Concert & Dinner
2025-07-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Calvin Christian Reformed Church, 700 Ethel Ave SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506, United States
Join Embellish for a magical evening as we celebrate the kick-off of our summer tour to Wichita, Kansas, with dinner and a concert! Enjoy a delicious pasta dinner and enjoy the musical offerings of our own West Michigan handbell ensemble at the “Pinnacle” of their musical year! Dinner is served at 6 pm, and our concert will begin at 7 pm. Take a break from making dinner and join us!

Online Dinner + Concert ticket sales have ended. Tickets for concert-only attendees will be available at the door beginning at 6:30pm on July 6th for $15 each.

VIP Individual Tickets: $40VIP Table (6 tickets): $220 Save $20!

Includes front row concert seats

VIP Meal: Lasagna and Fettucine Alfredo, Garden Salad, Breadsticks, Brownie or Chocolate Chip Cookie, Ice Cream Sundae

Dinner and a Show Tickets: $25Dinner and a Show Table (6 tickets): $130 Save $20!

Meal Option #1: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Garden Salad, Breadsticks, Ice Cream Sundae

Meal Option #2: Fettuccine Alfredo (Vegetarian), Garden Salad, Breadsticks, Ice Cream Sundae

Meal Option #3: Gluten-Free Rotini with Meat Sauce, Garden Salad, Ice Cream Sundae

Student Dinner and a Show Tickets: $10

Concert Tickets Only: $15

Student Concert Only Tickets are Free!

Embellish Handbells Summer Tour: St. Louis, Missouri
2025-07-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Peace Lutheran Church, 737 Barracksview Rd, St. Louis, Missouri, 63125, United States
Catch Embellish Handbells on our Summer Tour 2025!We’ll be performing at Peace Lutheran Church on Monday, July 7th at 7pm.

Embellish Handbells Summer Tour: Overland Park, Kansas
2025-07-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 11100 College Blvd, Overland Park, Kansas, 66210, United States
Catch Embellish Handbells on our Summer Tour 2025! We’ll be performing at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, July 8th at 7pm.

Embellish Handbells Summer Tour: Wichita, Kansas
2025-07-09 19:00 - 20:30 | East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E. Douglas, Wichita, Kansas, 67218, United States
Catch Embellish Handbells on our Summer Tour 2025!We’ll be performing at East Heights United Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 9th at 7pm.

Handbell Musicians of America: Pinnacle Musician Showcase
2025-07-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Mary Jane Teall Theater at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center, 225 West Douglas Avenue, Wichita, Kansas, 67202, United States
Embellish Handbells Performance

Pinnacle places its primary emphasis on the performance elements of handbell artistry. The event also focuses on the organization and maintenance of various types of ensembles.

While Pinnacle may have had its beginnings as an event designed primarily for Community Ensembles, it is important to know that Pinnacle 2025 is for all people who perform with handbells – ringers, directors, church groups, professional ensembles, community groups, soloists, school groups, and more.

Hear ten musician showcases by ensembles from the United States and abroad, attend nine classes over three days, visit handbell and musical businesses in Handbell Commons, attend a lunch banquet with award presentations, and spend time with fellow handbell musicians.

The Embellish concert at Pinnacle will be livestreamed at this YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpKUq1R8khE

Fall Ticket Bundles On Sale
2025-09-17 08:00 - 2025-10-27 17:00 | Kansas
Pick up a Fall Ticket Bundle, and save $5 on your tickets for upcoming Embellish Concerts!

The Bundle includes one ticket to Under the Harvest Moon Concert (Nov. 1st), and one ticket to ‘Tis the Season to Embellish Holiday Concert (your choice of Dec. 2nd or Dec. 13th)

Handbell Open House: Prospective Ringers & Community Welcome
2025-09-30 18:30 - 19:00 | Faith Community Church, 2600 7th St NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49504, United States
Join us on September 30th at 6:30pm for our Embellish Open House! Anyone who is interested in the “behind the scenes” of Embellish & Campana is welcome!

Prospective ringers are invited to come learn what it takes to be part of the group, whether you are interested in potentially ringing with Embellish or Campana. The upcoming semester of Campana will begin on October 14th, 2025. Auditions for the 2026 calendar year for Embellish will take place on January 13th, 2026.

Local handbell ringers and/or directors can stay (or join) at 7pm to see how we run an Embellish rehearsal.

Community musicians interested in partnering with Embellish are welcome to attend as well, to meet Brenda E. Austin – The Embellish Family’s Music Director.

RSVPs appreciated via Embellish@EmbellishHandbells.com, or this Facebook event (click for link).

Schedule for Open House:6:30pm – An informal time to talk with our Music Director, Brenda Austin7:00pm – Embellish will rehearse beginning at 7:00 and you are welcome to observe the rehearsal.

Under the Harvest Moon - Fall Handbell Concert
2025-11-01 14:30 - 15:30 | Kroc Center, 2500 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49507, United States
Join Embellish Handbells for our Fall Concert! The music will be themed to “Under the Harvest Moon,” and the performance will take place at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Grand Rapids.Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

‘Tis the Season to Embellish – Holiday Concert
2025-12-02 19:30 - 21:00 | Mayflower Congregational Church, 2345 Robinson Rd SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506, United States
Join Embellish for our celebration of the holidays! This year, our concert theme will be “Winter’s Expedition.”

Online ticket sales have closed, but a limited amount of tickets will be available at the door starting at 6:30pm.

Concert Ticket Prices 2025

Adult Ticket: $20 at the door

Senior (60+) Ticket: $15

Military Ticket: $15

Student/Child Ticket: Free

‘Tis the Season to Embellish, feat. Campana – Holiday Concert
2025-12-13 15:00 - 16:30 | Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1481 Baldwin Street, Jenison, Michigan, 49428, United States
A second date for our Holiday Concert has been added! Join Embellish + Campana for our celebration of the holidays! This year, our concert theme will be “Winter’s Expedition.”

Online pre-sales have closed, but tickets will be available at the door! $20 for adults; $15 for seniors/military; free for students/kids.

Embellish Auditions 2026
2026-01-13 19:00 - 21:30 | Faith Community Church, 2600 7th St NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49504, United States
Information for Embellish Auditions 2026:

Embellish is a high-level handbell ensemble who rings level 3/4/5 pieces with precision and musicality. Embellish rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7pm-9:30pm. It is expected that ringers will spend time outside of practice reviewing their music as well.

Auditions will take place (by appointment only) on Tuesday, January 13th. Please fill out the below form if you are interested in auditioning, and our music director Brenda Austin will be in touch!

Embellish’s season runs from January through December, with a “summer break” June-August. A rough draft of the season calendar may be found here.

Embellish members are asked to pay $150 in dues each season.*

Apply for Embellish Auditions

*The Embellish Family does not want financial situations to be a barrier to participation. Confidential dues assistance may be discussed with the Board Treasurer.

Campana Mini-Concert
2026-03-31 18:30 - 19:00 | Faith Community Church, 2600 7th St NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49504, United States
You are invited to join our sister ensemble Campana for their Spring 2026 mini-concert!

This is a free performance, and Campana will be presenting the handbell pieces they have been preparing this semester to share with you, and welcome the change of seasons with a lovely musical evening. We hope that you will join us!

Joint Concert with West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts
2026-04-25 11:00 - 12:00 | Corinth Reformed Church, 129 100th St SE, Byron Center, Michigan, 49315, United States
Embellish is pleased to be collaborating with the handbell choir from the West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts program on Saturday, April 25th.

Admission will be a free-will offering.

"An Enchanted Spring" Handbell Concert
2026-05-03 16:00 - 17:30 | Matthews Performing Arts Center at Cornerstone University, 3000 Leonard St NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49525, United States
Shake off the last of the winter chill and step into a world of shimmering sound! Embellish is thrilled to invite you to “An Enchanted Spring,” a handbell concert designed to celebrate the season of renewal with a truly magical repertoire.

From the spirited energy of Exultate and Vivace to the serene, reflective moments of Be Still and The Ash Grove, our bells will take you on a journey through every “bloom” of the musical landscape. Whether you’re looking for the whimsical charm of Enchanted and Capriccio or the high-octane, unexpected thrill of Wizards in Winter, there is a note for everyone to enjoy.

We’ve curated a diverse selection of pieces that showcase the incredible range of handbell music. Come witness The Awakening of spring through the rhythmic precision and multi-dimensional tones of our ensemble. It’s going to be a Golden evening you won’t want to miss!

Join our email list to get concert updates delivered to your inbox!

Online Ticket Orders:

Save $5 each when you pre-order your Adult general admission tickets online. Adult tickets will be $20 at the door. Military/Senior tickets will be $15 at the door. Students/Kids receive free admission.

May 3, 2026 – 4:00 pm

Adult Advanced Ticket $15.00 USD

Get My Tickets

At Will-Call (on May 3)

Children/Students – Free

N/A

1 Reserved Student Ticket

2 Reserved Student Tickets

3 Reserved Student Tickets

4 Reserved Student Tickets

5 Reserved Student Tickets

6 Reserved Student Tickets

7 Reserved Student Tickets

8 Reserved Student Tickets

May 3, 2026 – 4:00 pm

Adult Military Advanced Ticket $15.00 USD

Get My Tickets

At Will-Call (on May 3)

Children/Students – Free

N/A

1 Reserved Student Ticket

2 Reserved Student Tickets

3 Reserved Student Tickets

4 Reserved Student Tickets

Perennials for Sale at Concert: Back by popular demand!

An assortment of quart and gallon pot sized perennials will be available to take home (Suggested donation price: $15 each, cash or credit).

We’ll have Proven Winners® and Walters Gardens varieties of plants for sun and shade, courtesy of Walters Gardens.

All proceeds will support the Embellish Family.

“An Enchanted Spring” Handbell Tour - Chicago
2026-05-08 18:00 - 19:30 | Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut St, Chicago, IL, 60611, United States
Embellish is thrilled to invite you to “An Enchanted Spring,” a handbell concert designed to celebrate the season of renewal with a truly magical repertoire.

From the spirited energy of Exultate and Vivace to the serene, reflective moments of Be Still and The Ash Grove, our bells will take you on a journey through every “bloom” of the musical landscape. Whether you’re looking for the whimsical charm of Enchanted and Capriccio or the high-octane, unexpected thrill of Wizards in Winter, there is a note for everyone to enjoy.

We’ve curated a diverse selection of pieces that showcase the incredible range of handbell music. Come witness The Awakening of spring through the rhythmic precision and multi-dimensional tones of our ensemble. It’s going to be a Golden evening you won’t want to miss!

Join our email list to get concert updates delivered to your inbox!

“An Enchanted Spring” Handbell Tour – St. Joseph
2026-05-09 19:00 - 20:30 | First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Ave, St. Joseph, Michigan, 49085, United States

“An Enchanted Spring” Handbell Tour – Eaton Rapids
2026-05-10 16:00 - 17:30 | First United Methodist Church, 600 S Main St, Eaton Rapids, Michigan, 48827, United States
