December is a busy month for the Redeemer Classical School Handbell Choirs. In addition to the 5th-8th grade Christmas program where they perform for friends and family members, each grade performs individually in the local community. This year’s Christmas Outreach Performances took students to the following locations:

Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (5th grade)
Sunnyside (7th grade)
Bridgewater Retirement Community (6th grade)
Brookdale (8th grade)

Altogether that makes five performances is seven days for our talented and dedicated Handbells Director, Kath Wissinger.

At each location students perform a repertoire of songs they’ve been working to master since the start of the school year. The rooms in which they perform tend to be packed with eager residents. This year, well over 200 people (combined) attended the performances.

Throughout the show, the audience is encouraged to ask questions about the musical pieces and the techniques that students use in ringing. Mrs. Wissinger has students answer the questions and demonstrate specific techniques in response. Each concert concludes with students leading residents in singing “Jingle Bells” and “Silent Night.” Afterwards, students take a bell or two into the audience to give a hands-on tutorial while visiting with residents one-on-one. The poise and empathy with which Redeemer students conduct themselves as they chat with audience members really is a joy to behold.

The Christmas Outreach Performances are truly a powerful combination of education, entertainment, and service to our community.

To learn more about the benefits of handbells at Redeemer, as well as all the fine arts, visit the Arts page on our website. We have seen first-hand how ringing classes at Redeemer give students a chance to learn a lifelong skill while producing worthwhile music, personal growth and memorable experiences.