The Illinois Great Rivers Conference Chapter of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts will hold its 25th annual handbell festival Feb. 23 at the First United Methodist Church, Springfield.

This all-day event is open to handbell choirs and/or individual ringers from throughout the Midwest. Registration deadline is Jan. 23. The festival is an opportunity to learn handbell technique, read handbell repertorie and have fun. There is no music to prepare or buy before the event.

The festival will be held in the gymnasium of the church. Registrants will not have to move their equipment from room to room. Christine D. Anderson will teach the classes. The first class period in the morning will focus on technique ringing. The second morning class will be a repertoire reading session. After lunch, registrants will gather for a mass ringing session.