About Inspiring! 2024
Area 5 presents an event specifically geared towards young adult and college-aged ringers: a weekend of handbell music, education, and fun.
Event Location
Inspiring! will be held in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center at the University of Indianapolis. Parking is available adjacent to the Fine Arts Center.
Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center
1230 Greyhound Lane
Indianapolis, IN 46227
Closing Concert
Inspiring! will conclude with a concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18 in the Ruth Lilly Performance Hall in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public.
Inspiring! 2024
Feb. 17-18 | Indianapolis
Guest Conductor: Kyle Webber
Kyle Webber is an engaging and charismatic conductor, composer, clinician and church musician from Farmington Hills, Mich. He is the artistic director of Detroit Handbell Ensemble and the worship and arts director at Royal Oak First United Methodist Church in Royal Oak, Mich. He helped conduct DHE at the 2018 National Seminar opening concert and has conducted at Area 5 and Area 2 events in the past several years as well. His additional experience includes conducting the Eaton Rapids (Mich.) Handbell Festival, teaching at Area 5 handbell events and serving as clinician at events in Michigan. Kyle recently served on the national board of Handbell Musicians of America, as well as on the Area 5 board of directors.
Kyle graduated with a degree in music education from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Ind. (’04). Upon graduation, Kyle taught middle school band and orchestra until starting a career as a full-time church music director in 2007. In addition to conducting handbells, Kyle is an organist and pianist, and has experience leading modern worship bands and conducting choirs. When Kyle is not working in the church, on the podium or at the organ, you can find him spending time with his family, friends, watching a good TV series with his wife (if he doesn’t fall asleep!), filling the dog’s Kong with peanut butter, refilling the geriatric cat’s water dish multiple times a day to satisfy her demands for the freshest water possible, and occasionally homebrewing a good batch of beer.
Event Repertoire
| Title (Level) | Composer/Arranger | Publisher & code |
| When the Poor Ones (L3) | arr. Kyle Webber | Lorenz (20/2109L) |
| Transitions of the Heart (L3) | Matthew Compton | Evergreen (EGM107) |
| Road Trip (L4) | Ron Mallory | Jeffers (JHS9596) |
| For the Beauty of the Earth (L2+) | arr. Brenda Austin | GIA (G-9123) |
| The Unclouded Day (L3) | arr. Brian Seeman | Hope Publishing (2992) |
| Celebration Journey (L3) | Michael Mazzatenta | From the Top (20474) |
| Free Fall (L2+) | Jason Krug | From the Top (206255) |
Music may be purchased directly from the publishers of any music retailer. Our retailers include: Heitz Handbells & Music, Jeffers Handbell Supply, and J.W. Pepper. All attendees should have legally purchased copies of all music on hand at the event. Photocopies are not allowed without proof of license or proof of purchase.
Schedule
Saturday, Feb. 17
| 9 a.m. – Noon | Equipment setup |
| 10:30 a.m. – Noon | Check-in for ringers |
| Noon – 9 p.m. | Inspiring! Day 1 (rehearsals, socializing, dinner) |
Sunday, Feb. 18
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Inspiring! Day 2 (rehearsals, socializing, lunch) |
| 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Dress rehearsal |
| 4 p.m. | Closing concert |
Event Lodging & Transportation
Inspiring! attendees should arrange their own lodging for this event. The following hotels are within a 10-minute drive of the event site.
- Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis South
- Hampton Inn Indianapolis South
- Comfort Suites Southport
- Quality Inn & Suites Southport
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Indianapolis South
The Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is a convenient way to get to Indianapolis if air travel is necessary.
Event Meals
Two meals are included in your registration: dinner on Saturday, Feb. 17 and lunch on Sunday, Feb. 18.
Scholarships
First-time attendees are invited to apply for a scholarship to attend Inspiring! 2024. Applications are due by Dec. 8, 2023.
Photography Policy
The Area 5 Photography Policy can be found here.
HMA Tablet Policy
Handbell Musicians of America is committed to upholding the copyright laws of the United States and protecting the rights of our publishers, arrangers and composers. If you wish to use a tablet computer to hold your music in place of standard paper copies on a music stand, you must contact the publisher of each piece of music to first obtain permission to convert a purchased piece of music to the format required for the tablet you are using. Copies of the written permission received from publishers must be presented on request from the event organizer, event chair, or Handbell Musicians of America staff. Permission from a publisher for one piece does not imply permission for other songs from the same publisher. The title of each song used in this format must be included in the written permission received. Attendee should also have legally purchased copies of all music with them for verification. Titles originally purchased in a digital format do not require permission from the publisher; however, please have a copy of your purchase receipt available.
Cancellation Policy
Full registration amount less $15 per person will be refunded if notification is received by Dec. 29. No refunds will be given for cancellations received after this date.
Questions?
For any questions about Inspiring! 2024, please contact Jarod Ogier at [email protected].
