Brian Childers is an accomplished pianist, composer and clinician. His choral, instrumental, and handbell works have been performed frequently in churches across the nation and abroad. He has been a featured performer and clinician at numerous music conferences and workshops across the state of North Carolina.

Brian received his bachelor of music degree in piano performance from Appalachian State University in 1993, and the master of divinity degree in church music from the M. Christopher White School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University in May of 2003. An ordained minister, he serves as minister of music at First Baptist Church in Mount Holly, North Carolina. Brian directs 5 vocal choirs, 5 handbell choirs, and the church orchestra. Among Brian’s favorite groups is Drastic Measures, an advanced children’s handbell group that rehearses three times each week. This group of 8 children perform regularly throughout the community and across the state.

Brian’s compositions and arrangements are published by AGEHR, Alfred, Emerson, GIA, High Meadow Music, Hope, Jeffers, Ringing Word, National Music Publishers, STEP, and Treble Clef Music Press, Wiltshire Music.

Brian is married to Jennifer and has two children, Hannah and Spencer. Brian is an avid runner and enjoys racing and composing in his free time.

Workshops

Building a Handbell Ministry in Your Church - Music Education,Sacred Music

Here We Grow - Sacred Music

Establishing and growing a handbell ministry in a liturgical setting Description: This class will discuss methods of establishing multiple handbell choirs within the church setting including a variety of ways to add multiple groups to the “Single HB Choir Church.” Creative, ‘Out of the Box” ideas will be shared Class will be constructed as a dialogue in a round-table format. If time allows, attention will be given to rehearsal schedules, worship planning, and selection of skill and age-appropriate repertoire.

Drastic Times Call for Drastic Measures Inspiring children to excellent ringing - Music Education

Description: Learn how forming a high-commitment group for children can positively impact your ringing community for years to come. Drastic Measures was formed with the desire to cultivate a community of ringing where children ring at a high level, and, at the same time, provide enriching performance experiences, both in their local community, and beyond

Freeing the Composer Within - Music Education,Sacred Music,Other

Are you struggling to find your song? Do you have something to say, but don’t know how to say it? Free your creative voice and begin expressing yourself. This class will walk participants through the steps of the creative compositional process and offer ideas, suggestions, and solutions for creating and singing your own song in the handbell medium.

“Revving up your Rehearsals” Taking your rehearsals up a notch - Music Education

In this hands-on session, participants will hear, discuss, and experience a variety of warm-up exercises, technique drills, and rehearsal approaches to challenge and inspire their ringers to reach their full potential as handbell musicians. You will hear, discuss, and experience a variety of warm-up exercises, technique drills, and rehearsal approaches to challenge and inspire your ringers to reach their full potential as handbell musicians.

"With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility" Ways conductors inspire ringers to do their bidding - Music Education,Other

How do you encourage ringers to watch you? How do you challenge ringers to be more expressive? How do you move from a bell choir that plays notes to a bell choir that rings with passion? Learn how the role of the conductor impacts every aspect of the finished musical product. This class is geared for directors but is highly beneficial and recommended for ringers as well!!

No Pain-No Gain - Music Education,Other

25 coordination exercises to hurt your brain and improve your ringing

The Zen of Music Marking and score prep for Handbell Ringers - Music Education,Sacred Music,Other

With thanks to the late Donald Allured and “Mastering Musicianship in Handbells” Strategies for clean and clear music marking for director’s and ringers scores, Including a step by step guide and deeper dive into score study and prep

Weaving a Tapestry - Music Education,Other

Table damping and weaving are two skills vital to ringing for any group who wants to “Level Up”. This class will walk participants through the process of learning both techniques and how to incorporate them into everyday ringing of mere mortals.

Handbells 101 - Music Education,Sacred Music,Other

A fast and furious hands-on intro to the world of making music with handbells

"Sing-A-Long with Henry" Fun ways to engage your children’s bell group via Zoom - Music Education,Sacred Music,Other

During this time of Sheltering-in-Place, many of us have been searching for ways to connect and engage ringers from our at-home bunkers. This session will share ideas to connect with your children’s bell groups and keep them engaged and excited about ringing handbells until we can be together in person again.

"Ringing Deeply" Leading ringers to explore spirituality - Sacred Music

This class will speak to the importance of embracing and developing spirituality within the church handbell choir. Topics covered will include developing a devotional life, how to engage ringers in spiritual discussions and incorporating spirituality in rehearsals and worship and prayer.