The Newsletter of Area 1 Handbell Musicians of America | Vol. XL No. 2 | April 2026 | | |
IN THIS EDITION:
- Greetings from the Board Chair
- Notice of next Area 1 Board Meeting
- Spring Rings
- Event-a-Palooza!
- Notes from State and Regional Chairs
- Please be sure to scroll down/click "view entire message" to see - and support - our advertisers
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Hello, Area 1
As we move further into the spring season, the energy across Area 1 continues to grow in the best possible ways. We have been hard at work preparing music, reconnecting with ensembles, and looking ahead to the exciting events just around the corner.
One of the highlights of the season will be our upcoming Maine and Massachusetts Spring Rings, both taking place on April 11. We are excited to see vibrant participation at both gatherings as musicians come together for a day of music, learning, and community. I will be at the MA Spring Ring, so be sure to say hi!
Looking ahead, there has been growing excitement around the possibility of Totally Tins events returning next year in both Connecticut and New Hampshire. While plans are still taking shape, it is encouraging to see interest building in these engaging and accessible programs. See Vicki and Kim's updates below for more information.
I also want to highlight the Boston Handbell Festival on May 19th (always the 3rd Tuesday in May) at Old South Church in Boston. This event brings together five ensembles for some massed ringing and then solo performances. It ends up being a great night of handbell ringing, whether in person or on the livestream! This event also donates a set of handchimes to local area school each year. Speaking of handchimes...
We are also currently seeking a new Chime Loaner Chair to help coordinate our sets of handchimes, which are loaned to programs across the area. This role is ideal for someone enthusiastic about connecting interested groups (primarily schools) with resources (chimes!) and willing to coordinate travel throughout New England to deliver instruments, resources, and mentorship. If you are interested, please reach out at chair.area1@handbellmusicians.org.
As always, thank you for the time, energy, and heart you bring to our art each day. I look forward to seeing many of you this spring.
Happy ringing!
Greg Urban
Area 1 Chair
chair.area1@handbellmusicians.org
| | Area 1 is grateful to Handbell Services for allowing us to use their handbell silhouette artwork featured in our 'Report from the Chair' header. | | |
Notice of Next Area 1 Board Meeting
Area 1 Board Meetings are open to all members of the Guild and held three times a year, usually in January, May and September. Our next regular Board Meeting is May 16, 2026 and will be held virtually. Considering a board position? Just want to hear about all the cool stuff happening here?
If you are interested in attending, please email Greg Urban, Area 1 Chair.
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Maine and Massachusetts Spring Rings are April 11
If you aren't participating in one of these Spring Rings, you can still attend a closing concert. Both of these concerts are open to the public and free of charge. Here are the details:
Maine Spring Ring Closing Concert: Saturday, April 11 at 4 pm. Greely Middle School Gymnasium, 351 Tuttle Road, Cumberland.
Massachusetts Spring Ring Closing Concert: Saturday, April 11 at 3 pm: Tewksbury High School Gymnasium, 320 Pleasant Street, Tewksbury.
Cape Cod Spring Ring Recap
The first Spring Ring of the season took place on Saturday, March 21 at the Harwich Community Center in Harwich, Massachusetts. Clinician Samantha Beschta served as clinician for the 46 attendees representing five choirs. Photos taken by Steve Heaslip/Cape Cod Times.
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Event-A-Palooza!
Hello from the desk of the Past Chair, Jenn Stack. You may wonder what the job of the Past Chair entails. Now that the work of steering the ship is over, you might think I am sitting on the couch eating bonbons. Not so much. I am still actively supporting the Area in many ways - they’re just not as visible. Behind the scenes, I’m working on some event planning. I thought I would share the events I’m working on, and explain a bit about what they are, who they are for, and how things are progressing.
Friends and Family Handbell Camp
June 26-28, 2026
This one is just fun from start to end! Handbell Camp is for anyone at any level of ringing. This event is held at Toah Nipi in Rindge, NH. It is a large summer camp/retreat center. We’ll be lodged in a large cabin, fed delicious meals, and spend a few days ringing and learning alongside others. This is the one where you might bring a friend or family member who is not yet a ringer. My husband sometimes feels left out when I go off on a ringing adventure-and this is one where he can come along and learn to ring as well. All ages are welcome. Find out more and register at the following link: https://area1.handbellmusicians.org/family-handbell-camp/
Winter Workshop 2027
January 29-30, 2027
This event is the most “under construction” of the 3. I’m currently scouting some new locations-we’re hoping to land around Manchester, NH as it’s a geographically centric location in Area 1 and close to Manchester Airport for our clinician (I haven’t signed a contract with our Bronze clinician yet, but we’ve been dying to have him in Area 1.) I’ve heard you asking for events to be held in this region, and I’m working to deliver. While we all love the food at UMASS, the costs keep rising and we would prefer not to pass along a huge sticker shock price to our attendees (at least $100 more at registration, plus cost of hotel increase). Discussions are also underway about some ways in which we can bring back a bit of the “Director’s Workshop” aspects and support our newer conductor/directors at this event. For new directors or aspiring directors, this should be an event you don’t want to miss!! More details will be coming as the pieces fall into place. Our website, Fundamental Tone, and our Facebook page are all really strong sources of information.
Festival Conference 2027
June 24-27, 2027
Wow! This is a huge undertaking, and believe me, the team required to coordinate this event is just as large! We enjoyed having Worcester State host us in the past 2 FC events, but they were unavailable for this one. I sent requests out to many colleges and universities in Area 1, not just in MA, but the one that has the dates available and meets our requirements is Nichols College, a small business school in Dudley, MA. They’re gracious and responsive hosts and have some wonderful amenities waiting for us. Air-conditioned dorms, allergy-friendly meals at different stations with different ones each day, and full use of the campus to ourselves. Dr. Lynn Atkins will conduct the Bronze/Coppers tracks. Kimberlee Strepka will conduct the Massed/Tins tracks on the main ringing floor. We’re in for a treat with these two masterful clinicians. This event is a treat for ringers and directors at all levels. There’s something for everyone here, and the focus is on really exceptional education. This is the place to get questions answered, to meet a variety of ringers, and to learn new skills. By popular demand, the Bronze/Tins mentoring program will return for FC 2027.
Help Wanted, Input Crucial!
As you can probably guess, planning 3 events in the same timeline is too much work for one individual. It’s too much responsibility to try to discern everyone’s needs or desires. I need you. I’ve read input from surveys and digested it. If there’s something you want or need, or something you think we’ve missed, I need to hear about it. If you can give a little (as little as 30 minutes) or a lot of your time, I’d love to welcome you to the team in a way that is comfortable to you. For example- How many 6 ft tables can fit on the floor? How do I make it so that everyone can see the conductor while maximizing the number of ringers I can fit so we don’t have to turn anyone away? I’m not the girl to answer that, but an interior designer ringer friend is willing to step in to consult with me. I’ve got other big-muscled friends who are willing to move those tables, and others who know which choir will be able to lend a 5 octave set of bells for a classroom. It takes a village! If you have a special talent, if you have equipment to lend, if there’s a class you would be able to teach, if you just want to tell me that you need 5 more minutes between class sessions and you don’t mind that it means 13 classes instead of 14 overall—-I need to hear from you. Reach out to me at pastchair.area1@handbellmusicians.org
Jenn Stack
Past Chair Area 1
pastchair.area1@handbellmusicians.org
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Hello, Connecticut!
We are in the process of organizing our Connecticut Handbell Fall Events and could use your help.
Fall Rep Reading
After many requests, we are bringing back our Saturday Rep Ringing event. Whole choirs or singles are welcome. We will gather to try new music, explore new positions, meet other Connecticut ringers and have some fun. I want to find a venue in Central Connecticut that could host about 80 ringers. Once we find the venue, we can begin to plan dates and repertoire. Could we use your church or school for this fun ring? I’ll need some volunteers to help organize this, too.
Totally Tins
The Fall Totally Tins event planning is underway. Unfamiliar with Tins, Coppers and Bronze levels? The Tins are our future. Without them to carry on our legacy, we have no future. Do you know a new ringer who wants spend a day building confidence, improving skills and knowledge in an non-threatening group atmosphere? Totally Tins is the perfect place. More details will be announced soon. The search for a venue is underway. If your church or school would like to host us, please let me know.
Fall Tune-Up
We are scheduling our Fall Tune-Up groups now. Ideally, we would get 2 church groups together at your church. In the morning, one group works on their Fall repertoire while the second group meets in a classroom with Bronze Ringers from around the state to discuss proper techniques, such as malleting, weaving, tricky rhythms or even a special request. We will gather for lunch and get to know each other, before switching places in the afternoon. Finally, we gather for a Rep Ring on some new music. This is a perfect opportunity to build relationships while taking your level up a notch. Who knows, you might even find a sub to help out for next time.
If you just can’t get your group to attend massed ringing events, we understand. They just don’t know how much fun we have. Would you like to take your group up a notch at your rehearsals? We will provide a clinician to come to your rehearsal to work with your ringers on their skills and techniques.
How can we serve you, Connecticut? Reach out to me at ct.area1@handbellmusicians.org
Vicki Moroski
Connecticut State Chair
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Notes from MAINE
Dana Humphreys, Maine State Chair
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Hello Maine Ringers,
Maine Spring Ring is right around the corner, on April 11 at the Greely Middle School in Cumberland. At the time I am writing this article (mid-March), we are a week away from closing registration. We are excited to be hosting 120 ringers from twelve choirs (five Tins and seven Coppers), as well as eight independent and guest ringers. And you are all putting the “Maine” in Maine Spring Ring. All choirs except one are from Maine (we are very happy to have a NH ensemble join us), a few of which are either new to this event or haven’t participated in recent years.
Our free public concert will be held at 4 pm, and we encourage you to come cheer us on and enjoy the music.
Dana Humphreys
Maine State Chair
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Hi, everyone!
The collaboration and community in Eastern Massachusetts is what I find exciting and stimulating. Activities are happening all over the area. It happens when ringers sub in other choirs, or choirs combine for an event. I believe this "cross-pollination" pushes creative energy and challenges us on many levels. Not to mention fostering friendships. Here are a few examples:
The Joys and Benefits of Collaboration by Martha Brannigan Stowell, director of the Hills Bells at the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church
Last September I (Martha) had the joy of meeting the new director of handbells at The Village Church in Wellesley, Kristjon Imperio.
Our meeting happened because I have an empty 3-octave set of Schulmerich bell cases in my basement (if anyone wants them…), and someone in the midwest needed cases for their White Chapel Bells. I knew that the handbells at our neighboring church were White Chapels. I want to donate the cases. The long and short of it is that White Chapels don’t fit into Schulmerich cases (you already knew that!), and in the process I met a very kind, energetic and engaging handbell director who suggested that our two handbell groups COLLABORATE!
In October we had a fun and productive workshop directed by Andy Wallace of the Shoreline Ringers to prepare us to ring several combined pieces at our annual Handbell Christmas Concert at the Hills Church. This one concert generated enough enthusiasm at the Village Church that they then purchased 3 octaves of chimes; even better, they gained the interest of several new ringers. The gift of collaboration!
On Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 4:30 pm, The Hills Bells and The Village Ringers will present a concert at The Wellesley Village Church, 2 Central Street, Wellesley, MA entitled “Peace in our Time” The joint pieces we are playing include Make Me An Instrument of Thy Peace / McChesney, Grant Us Thy Peace / Mendelssohn, arr. Behnke, Peace in our Time. III. Tribute / Moklebust with violin, and a final sing-along, Let There be Peace on Earth / arr. D. Wagner. There will be something for everyone in the concert and a joyful moment for us all to reflect on how as individuals we each make a difference.
The Boston Handbell Festival is another celebration and collaboration of five handbell choirs that takes place on Tuesday, May 19, at 7:30 pm at Old South Church, 645 Boylston Street, Boston. This year's participants are Back Bay Ringers, Old South Ringers, Merrimack Ringers, New England Ringers, and guest choir Shoreline Ringers from Connecticut.
If you have been a part of or know of creative events happening in your area, please let me know so we can celebrate them!
Thank you for helping us be a vibrant, creative community.
Jennifer Dalrymple
Eastern Massachusetts Chair
ma.area1@handbellmusicians.org
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Hello Western Massachusetts!
It’s that time of year for all those flowers, handbell workshops and Spring Rings to pop up all around the region. The next local workshop for our area will be May 30th at the Wilbraham United Church. This workshop will feature the Merrimack Valley Ringers as your clinicians showcasing different classes suited for ringers of all levels and directors too. This year we are hosting not one, but TWO repertoire reading sessions. Choose a level that suits you! For the Tins & emerging Coppers levels, you will be able to use the rep reading music throughout your classes to mark up, study, and practice rhythms. Take a close look… there’s something here for everyone! To round out the day, after the classes, there will be a potluck dinner available for the participants at 5:30 pm followed by a concert by the Merrimack Valley Ringers at 7:00 pm. Class sizes are limited, so don’t delay. Sign up now to reserve your spot.
If this doesn’t fit into your schedule, take a look at the other Area 1 regions in this newsletter; there may be a workshop or a spring ring near you.
My handbells are all bronze; what's this about tins and coppers?
Handbells are made of bronze, which is an alloy about 20% tin and 80% copper. Handbell Musicians of America use 'tins', 'coppers', and 'bronze' to group ensembles or ringers into approximate ringing proficiency levels. The group difficulty is generally self-selected by the group as opposed to assigned from the outside. Tins are typically beginning ringers and groups, just getting started on their handbell journey. They may feel most comfortable playing music at a difficulty of level 1 or 2. A group progressing in skill will begin using the term coppers to indicate that they are an intermediate level group. They may feel most comfortable playing level 2-4 music. Bronze level is the term used when referring to groups performing music at a higher difficulty level with strong musicality. Bronze groups most often perform music at difficulty levels 3-6 and beyond.
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By the time you read this, the registration will be closed for MA Spring Ring on the eastern side of Massachusetts. However, I just want to give kudos to Abigail Schoppe as this spring ring is breaking attendance records for a one-day event! Pictured here are a few Western Mass ringers having fun and rehearsing for the MA Spring Ring on April 11th. We hope to see you there!
Tech tips: Have you ever wondered if you are malleting properly? Well, check out these useful instruction videos and informational links.
This wonderful informational page was created by the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain:
Handbell Ringers of Great Britain - All About Mallets
These next three videos are presented by Hope Publishing:
Basic Mallet Grip & Playing Position
Mallets on Handbells
Handbell Basics - Mallet Roll
It’s never too late to tell us what you need, Click here... 2026 Handbell Goals. Let’s make 2026 about YOU!
Directors: If you would like your ringers to receive the Fundamental Tone newsletter directly, please send them this link: Sign up for the Fundamental Tone newsletter.
Happy Ringing!
Audrey Pierce
Western Mass Chair
westernma.area1@handbellmusicians.org
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Happy Spring!
What a winter filled with beautiful snowflakes, but now I'm ready as I'm sure you are too, for a season change.
SnagASub
Some handbell choirs play year round, while others take a summer break. At times it seems impossible to work around everyone's personal calendar events. So, if you haven't done this yet, as a ringer or director, join SnagASub. It's a regional exchange program either for rehearsal(s), or possibly for a performance. I like to sub for other choirs for extra sight reading practice. Director's love it because they can easily fill gaps. If you are a director and have ringers that don't receive the Fundamental Tone, please tell them about SnagASub. NH groups are pretty spread out geographically and we could use all the help we can get. For more information: https://area1.handbellmusicians.org/snag-a-sub/
Upcoming Hands On Events
We are so lucky to be in the middle of MA, VT, and ME. It's not terribly far to go on a day trip outing with some of or your whole bell choir!
https://area1.handbellmusicians.org/state-and-local-events/
3/23-4/27 - Vibes! Choir, Mondays 6:30-8:00 pm in Concord, NH
https://www.granitestateringers.org/vibes, for more up to date info: gsrmusicdirector@gmail.com
4/11/26 - MA Spring Ring in Tewksbury, MA
4/11/26 - ME Spring Ring in Cumberland, ME (Registration closes 3/27)
5/30/26 - MVR Workshop in Wilbraham, MA; Workshop 12-4:15pm, Concert at 7 pm
6/26-6/28 - Friends and Family Handbell Camp in Rindge, NH (Reg closes 5/3)
Area Performances
Boston Handbell Festival - 5/19 (Tues) 7:30 pm - (Back Bay Ringers, Old South Ringers, Merrimack Valley Ringers, New England Ringers, Shoreline Ringers)
https://area1.handbellmusicians.org/boston-handbell-festival/
Granite State Ringers - Spring Concert "Spirited Bells"
Sat 5/30 @ Plainfield Town Hall, Plainfield, NH; 7 pm
Sun 5/31 @ Star Theatre, Kittery, ME; 3 pm
Sat 6/6 @ First Parish Church, Dover, NH; 7 pm
Sun 6/7 @ Derry Opera House, Derry, NH; 3 pm
https://www.granitestateringers.org/gsr-concerts
Merrimack Valley Ringers
Sun 5/31 @ Faith Lutheran Church, Andover, MA; 3 pm
Sat 6/6 @ First Church of Christ Congregational, Bedford, MA; 3 pm
Sun 6/7 @ South Congregational Church, Concord, NH; 3 pm
New England Ringers
Sat 5/30 @ UCC, Groton, MA; 7 pm
Sun 5/31 @ JOMP, Worcester, MA; 3 pm
Upper Valley Ringers - Spring Concert "America at 250"
Mon 5/18 @ Trumbull Hall, Etna, NH; 7 pm
Wed 5/20 @ Thompson Senior Center, Woodstock, VT; 1 pm
Mon 5/25 @ Damon Hall, Hartland, VT; 5 pm
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In February, GSR ringers Laura Halleck, Hilary Justice, and Heidi Prior, and GSR alumna Erica Borroto attended Lutheridge in Arden, NC, joining members of host choir Atlanta Concert Ringers and River City Ringers to form the "Castaways" advanced choir. Having had such a good time with Michael Glasgow and Stevie Berryman at last year's event, they couldn't wait to go back. This year's advanced track clinician was Kevin McChesney (who graciously stepped in for Hart Morris -- feel better, Hart!), and Brian Childers served as clinician for the intermediate track.
The Lutheridge event is organized by Atlanta Concert Ringers Music Director Alice Myers. Next year's clinicians are Brian Seemann and Nick Hanson (2/19 weekend) and Jason Krug and Julie Turner (2/26 weekend). Alice and her husband Dale often ring with GSR at Oktobellfest--such great connections!
Questions/Concerns/Comments
Please contact me via email and I'll get back to you ASAP.
nh.area1@handbellmusicians.org
Laurie Kubik
Chair, New Hampshire
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Hello from the Ocean State!
I am very much looking forward to all the fun upcoming handbell events this spring and early summer! Consider joining one or more of the local opportunities.
The annual RI "Ring-a-Palooza" will be held at Dunn's Corners Community Church in Westerly, RI on April 25, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. No matter your age or experience level, this half-day event will let you “sample” a handbell workshop. We will participate in fun musical activities and ringing which will all be led by Jane Nolan, retired Music Director of the Shoreline Ringers. All levels are welcome. There is no music to learn ahead of time, and there will be no performance at the conclusion of the day. Independent ringers, full, and partial choirs are welcome! We will have fun, all while ringing and learning! Register here: https://area1.handbellmusicians.org/state-and-local-events/rhode-island-ring-a-palooza/
The Lil’ Rhody Ringers community handbell choir is always open to new members! We rehearse twice a month at Slatersville Congregational Church in North Smithfield, RI. Contact me if you’d like to join us or be a sub!
Upcoming local events:
MA Spring Ring - Sat. April 11
RI Ring-a-Palooza Spring Ring - Sat. April 25
Ringing Skills and Rep. Read in Wilbraham, MA - Sat. May 30
Happy ringing!
Jill Boday
Rhode Island State Chair
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Hello Area 1!
As the snow starts to melt, we can look forward to spring and summer ringing opportunities. Northern Bronze Handbell Ensemble is excited to once again be hosting an area Mini-Ring for area ensembles on April 18th at Christ the King School in Burlington. Three directors will lead a day of ringing and learning, with an emphasis on fun! There will be an afternoon public wrap-up sharing session at 1:15 pm featuring three massed pieces and solo pieces by some of the participating ensembles. Thank you, Northern Bronze, for making this happen!
Also this spring is the establishment of a new handbell ensemble at the Newport Baptist Church. They started with fourteen interested volunteers who are ringing on just two octaves of Schulmerichs borrowed from the Waterbury Congregational Church, plus a duplicate one octave set of Malmarks. They are really enjoying themselves so far, and are planning to raise money this summer for their own instruments. Wishing you all a wonderful spring!
Kimberlee Strepka
Vermont State Chair
vt.area1@handbellmusicians.org
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