11th Annual
Snake River Handbell Conference
February 6-7, 2026
Central Elementary Gym
1415 6th Street S
Nampa, Idaho
Clinician: Nick Hanson
Information *** Registration Form *** Repertoire
Come and join many other handbell musicians ringing six great pieces under the direction of Nick Hanson. The pieces are level 2-3 incorporating various music styles, techniques, and seasons. The weekend begins with set-up Friday, February 6 in the late afternoon with the opening rehearsal at 6:30 pm. It continues Saturday beginning at 9:00 am and concludes with a concert for the community at 6:30 pm.
Cost is $60 per person postmarked on or before December 12, 2025 and $70 after December 12. This includes all conference activities plus snacks on Saturday. A $10 discount is offered for 2 or more from the same immediate family. The first family member pays full price; each additional person from the family is $10 less.
After receiving his BA in Music (with concentration in handbell performance) from Concordia University, Irvine, California, Nick began teaching at The Potomac School in McLean, Virginia, in 2006. At Potomac he teaches private handbell lessons and handbell classes to 4th–12th grade students in six handbell ensembles. He has also been the handbell director at Bush Hill Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Virginia, for over 15 years.
Nick is a sought-after faculty, clinician, and conductor for workshops and events throughout the world, having served in this role nationally in over 20 states (as well as Washington, DC) and internationally in England, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore. He was the first-ever associate conductor for the elite handbell event, Distinctly Bronze, where he shared the podium with esteemed conductor and composer William Payn in 2015; was co-conductor for the Handbell Musicians of America (HMA) All-Star Choir in 2018; has twice lead HMA’s Distinctly Teen ensemble in 2015 and 2023; and was the conductor for Distinctly Bronze East in 2025.
In 2022 The Potomac School recognized Nick with the Bill Cook Excellence in Teaching Award and he was featured in the Arlington Magazine article “Teachers We Love” in 2023. He is a published writer in the national handbell magazine Overtones, has composed and arranged over 100 pieces of handbell music, and is co-host of the podcast Two Tacos High: A Handbell Podcast.
Coppers Classic – About
Coppers Classic is a massed ringing event for advanced coppers handbell musicians held annually in October, in Portland, Oregon with participants from all over the United States and Canada. Musicians rehearse for three days, Friday through Sunday and present a public concert on Sunday afternoon.
Our handbell musicians are solidly coppers musicians. They have good handbell skills, a commitment to their ensemble and are the backbone of their choir. Passion and the desire to learn and grow as a handbell musician are the qualities that characterize those who will have a great Coppers Classic experience.
Do you love handbells? Do you have a passion to learn, to create the most musical experience of each composition and to celebrate your music making with others who share your joy? Then Coppers Classic is definitely for you!
Ellie Hodder
ELLIE HODDER is the Founder/Director of Coppers Classic.
Click here to view past repertoires. Lots of fun music!
Visit the Coppers Classic website for all the details and to register. Registration is now open.
Coppers Classic Repertoire 2026
This is always an exciting time of year for the Coppers Classic Team. The 2026 repertoire is posted {click “Repertoire” and soak it in. It is diverse (always a goal, and includes an unpublished work by Midwest middle chool music teacher, Billy Brandt. I taught middle school music, too, and have admiration for all who create brilliant music with those young musician!}
There’s a composition by Seattle composer, Chris Reed, a George Fox University grad and award winner. Song of the Storm was also selected by JW Pepper as one of the “Editor’s Choice” honorees! We debut the 2025 Area 10 Belltree Composition Contest winner, The Way Back Home by Mark Longfield, a SoCal composer.
And so much more wonderful handbell repertoire!
The Coppers Classic Team, Vanessa Blakd, event coordinator, Sharon Ross, registrar, Lynn Kempter, treasurer and me, Ellie Hodder, the happiest person in the room!
Speed over to the registration page and join the fun!
Questions? mail to: [email protected]. We’ll get back to you soon!
Big Sky Handbell Festival
43rd Annual
April 24-25, 2026 – Livingston, MT
Park High School, 102 View Vista Dr
The Public is invited to attend the final concert at 7:00 PM on April 25th
Kathryn Jurado
Repertoire Clinician Bio
Stay tuned for more info…