- International Handbell Symposium
International Handbell Symposium
Originating in 1988, the International Handbell Symposium is the opportunity for handbell ringers and directors from around the world to come together and share a first-class musical experience that goes beyond the boundaries of language. Symposium takes place every two years, the location rotating between the eight current member counties: Australasia, Canada, Great Britain, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States. Ringers from these countries and more meet with the shared goal of fostering better communication between ringers of the member nations, maintaining high musical standards of ringing and performance, and encouraging continued interaction between countries. The event features rehearsals and performances by as many as 1,000 ringers at one time under the batons of top handbell conductors from around the world. In addition, a series of concerts featuring individual choirs from each country are offered throughout the event as well as classes focusing on handbell techniques, cultural awareness, repertoire, and much more.
2024 International Handbell Symposium
Date: 12-17 August 2024
Host Country：Japan "Ring The Future 2024"
Past International Handbell Symposia
| The 20th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Nashville, United States “Out of Many, One” | 2022 |
| The 19th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Hong Kong “Here the Pearl, Hear we Ring” (Cancelled) | 2020 |
| The 18th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Cairns, Australia “Together in Harmony • The Reef and Rainforest Ring” | 2018 |
| The 17th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Vancouver, British Columbia “Music of Our Lands and Our Lives” | 2016 |
| The 16th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Jeju, Korea “Ring for Beautiful World” | 2014 |
| The 15th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Liverpool, England “The World in One City” | 2012 |
| The 14th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Osaka, Japan “Echoes for Peace” | 2010 |
| The 13th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Orlando, Florida, USA “Ringing in Unity” | 2008 |
| The 12th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia “Unity in Diversity” | 2006 |
| The 11th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 2004 |
| The 10th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Busan, South Korea | 2002 |
| The 9th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Birmingham, United Kingdom | 2000 |
| The 8th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Chiba, Japan | 1998 |
| The 7th Int'l HAndbell Symposium | Albuqueraue, New Mexico, USA | 1996 |
| The 6th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Adelaide, South Australia, Australia | 1994 |
| The 5th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | 1992 |
| The 4th Int'l Handbell Symposium | Seoul, South Korea | 1990 |
| The 3rd Int'l Handbell Symposium | Exeter, United Kingdom | 1988 |
| The 2nd Int'l Handbell Symposium | Gotemba, Japan | 1986 |
| The 1st Int'l Handbell Symposium | Arcata, California, USA | 1984 |