February 13-15, 2026
Ringing at the Springs
Annual Handbell Retreat
Join us for a weekend-long handbell retreat featuring
great music under skilled direction
and fellowship among bell choirs.
Individuals as well as full choirs are invited to attend!
Registration opens september 2025.
Questions? Contact Colleen Earp, Program Director, at colleen@massanettasprings.org.
This handbell retreat began in 2005 under the leadership of Kath Wissinger and Laura Holbrook (former Director of Programs) who saw the opportunity and imagined the possibilities for a handbell event in the Shenandoah Valley.
WHO MAY ATTEND? Individuals as well as choirs come to this retreat. If you come as an individual, you may decide what bells to bring and what position to play, or request to be matched with a choir that might be missing a member. Choirs of 2, 3, 4, and more octaves have attended. If you wish to bring youth participants, please contact Colleen Earp, Program Director (colleen@massanettasprings.org) to discuss chaperones and other Child Protection Policy measures.
WHAT DO WE PLAY? Each year, the repertoire is chosen by the guest clinician. You may order the music yourself, or opt to purchase a packet with your registration. There is no expectation to prepare before the retreat— we’ll all learn it together!
The music includes a range of skills and playing levels. The repertoire tends to touch on a variety of of the church’s liturgical seasons, as well as some plain old fun! The retreat culminates Sunday morning with an ecumenical worship service featuring the practiced handbell pieces.
WHAT SHOULD WE BRING? Handbells and any equipment like table pads, mallets, music stands, stand lights (let us know if you can’t and we’ll do our best to help coordinate); clothes and toiletries (we provide linens); other friends who play handbells!
WHERE DO WE STAY? Participants will have the option to stay in single or double occupancy rooms in Hubler Lodge (hotel-style rooms) or Richardson (dorm-style rooms). There is a commuter option for those who live nearby.
WHY SHOULD I ATTEND THIS EVENT? Ringing at the Springs is an opportunity to practice and hear new handbell music, learn from a skilled director, and enjoy the fellowship of other people who love playing handbells!
HOW DO I REGISTER? Registration opens in September 2025. An online form will be available for individuals and choirs to register, or you may register by phone. Payment may be made by mailing a check or calling the office to make a credit card payment.
QUESTIONS? Contact Colleen Earp, Program Director, at colleen@massanettasprings.org or 540-434-3829.
Sandra Eithun
Sandra Eithun, M.M.Ed--is a graduate of Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, WI, with an emphasis in the Kodály teaching method, keyboard, and flute. She is currently on the faculty of Valley Troubadours of Appleton and at Holy Family Conservatory of Music in Manitowoc, WI, leading the handbell program for both schools. She served as Director of Music Ministry, handbell director, children’s choir director, organist and choral accompanist at First Congregational United Church of Christ in New London, WI, from 1992-2021. She directed the Silver Lake College Handbell Ensemble from 2009-2020, is an active member of the Handbell Musicians of America and has served on their Area VII Board of Directors. She has been commissioned to write music for many events and for numerous individual handbell ensembles. Most recently, she received the honor of being given the esteemed Donald E. Allured Original Composition Award for the 2020 Week of Handbells in Bay View, MI.
She has over 650 pieces for handbells in publication as well as several sacred keyboard books and teaching collections for the incorporation of handbells in the music classroom. In 2013, Sandra had the honor of working alongside Doc Severinsen and the Fox Valley Symphony to include handbells in his holiday show, Jingle Bell Doc, at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, WI. Sandra’s compositions have been recently featured on the PBS Christmas special, Holiday Handbells, as well as concerts by noted groups across the country including The Raliegh Ringers and The Bells on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. She continues to work as a handbell clinician and conductor at numerous festivals and workshops throughout the United States. She is married to Scott, has four grown children, four grandchildren and currently resides in Appleton, WI.
music purchasing options
Full packets will be available for purchase as part of registration for a discounted rate. We will learn all music together during the weekend, so no need to pre-purchase and prepare. Pre-ordered packets will be at Massanetta Springs waiting for you.
Participants may purchase music in advance if desired, or may already own some of the pieces and wish to only buy some of the titles.
repertoire
To be announced!
To be announced!
Registration will open in september.
Printed copies of the schedule will be available at check in.