Greetings Area 10 and Friends,

I’m excited to be back in Area 10 after being in Area 6 for the last 4 years. This last year, my husband and I moved to Billings, MT, so Jeff could take a job here. I immediately hunted down the local handbell community, meeting so many lovely people. I am also getting involved in the greater Area 10 by taking on the Communications Chair position.

Briefly about me: I live in Billings with my husband (Jeff) and doggie companion (Casey). We have three grown children who live with their families in various other states. We have six grandchildren, ages 5 months to 11 years. I retired from a career as a public-school teacher in Fairbanks, Alaska ten years ago, and I currently write and edit online as a clinical aromatherapist. The handbell bug bit me nine years ago and has not let go of me since then. I currently ring with two church choirs and our community choir, and I direct a choir at yet a third church. I also play viola in a local string orchestra. I travel to area and national events as time and finances allow, so if you see me at an event, please come up and say hello. I would love to see old friends and make new ones.

Part of my Area 10 responsibilities will include editing the Campanologist monthly newsletter. I appreciate all Joann Wallenburn has done as editor to make our newsletter timely and engaging for so many years. I can only hope to live up to her stellar example.

The purpose of the Area 10 newsletter is to let all subscribers know what is going on in our Area. The only way a newsletter can do that is if people contribute information about what is going on in their neighborhoods. Did you have an event you can tell us about? Do you have an event coming up? Did you see a new YouTube handbell video you think others would like to see as well? Did you learn a new technique? Did you play a new piece you want to recommend? Did you borrow the chimes from the chime loan program? There are so many things we can share with each other if we would be willing to reach out and share that information. This is your newsletter, so should also contribute to it. We want to hear from you!

Please send me your tidbits, your news, your articles, your pictures, your celebrations, your activities at: campanologist.area10@handbellmusicians.org

If you have time-sensitive information you want to get out, please send that information to me as well to put that information on our website or social media pages.

I look forward to communicating with you more in the coming months.

Until next time,

Sheri Roach

Area 10 is making preparations to elect a Secretary and a Chair-Elect, both who will start their terms on Oct. 1, 2024. Secretary is a four-year term, and the Chair-Elect is a six-year commitment: two years as Chair-Elect, two years as Chair and two years as Past Chair. You probably know of present or former Area 10 leaders whose work you truly appreciate. Is now the time for YOU to take a turn as an Area 10 leader? . . . the time to join a board of vibrant folks, committed to promoting handbell ringing? Or, can you suggest someone who has unused skills and/or fresh ideas that would benefit our organization? We are looking for two candidates for each office, so please help us to fill this ballot! Email your interest to me, and I will send you a job description right away!

Tomi Kent, Chair of the Nominating Committee 

chairelect.area10@handbellmusicians.org

Shortly after I learned about the handbell cruises put on by Bells of the Cascades, COVID hit. I have been waiting somewhat impatiently for their return. THEY ARE BACK! Check out the website for all the good scoop. 2025: A Whale of a Cruise

Come and join many other handbell musicians ringing six great pieces under the direction of Michael Joy. The pieces are level 2-3 incorporating various music styles, techniques, and seasons. The weekend begins with set-up Friday, February 10 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 $55 per person postmarked on or before December 15, 2023 and $65 after December 15. 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.

Information *** Registration *** Repertoire

This event is sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America.

Scholarships. We have scholarships for Area 10 musicians! More than two!! Our alum feels so strongly that we should have access for musicians regardless of finances that they give to create opportunities. Because there is such a great opportunity for musical and technical growth, we want everyone to be able to experience this event at least once. Be sure to apply.

Registration is open! https://coppersclassic.com

Questions? Contact our event coordinator at : eventcoordinatorcoppersclassic@gmail.com.

This event is endorsed by Handbell Musicians of America.

2024 is the 70^th Anniversary of the Guild. Let’s celebrate the guild and what it has done for our chosen instrument, the Handbell. The repertoire spans the last forty years from when techniques for our instrument were being developed and employed by adventurous advocates for the art of Handbell Ringing through their composing and arranging for bells up to the present. Along with ringing there will be workshops that focus on those special ringing and stopped techniques to help us employ them in our ringing to their fullest potential.



The Bronze Conference Choir is back in 2024, directed by Ellie Hodder—participation in BCC is by application. For this group to be successful a minimum of 11 Advanced/Intermediate Advanced ringers (very comfortable ringing Level 4 music) are required. See the link to repertoire for the music we will be playing this year. Participants are required to purchase their music ahead of time and learn their part prior to arrival in Ashland.

She brings an energy and a keen ear for musicality to the music she conducts. When not teaching, directing, or ringing, Barbara plays flute and piccolo in local orchestras. Barb and her husband, Dave, have four children – a dog and three horses with whom they enjoy backcountry adventures.

Schedule *** Repertoire

Registration opened January 1, 2024. Registration Form, BCC Application Form

Contact Diane Barnes at dkbarnes@jeffnet.org if you have any questions.

This event is sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America.