I have just recently returned home from the 2013 National Seminar at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. This place brought back many memories since it was the site for the 1993 National Handbell Festival, the first handbell event I ever attended. There were a number of firsts for me during that event, including my first experience with massed ringing, my first opportunity to ring under David Davidson, the first time I performed with a bronze level choir, and the first time I ever saw an aluminum bass bell. It was also the event where I first joined the Guild.

     What amazes me is that even after 20 years, I still leave events with inspiration and new ideas. As a ringer, I was inspired by the precision and level of skill from performing ensemble groups like Kiriku and Handbells Unlimited. As a director, I was inspired by the musical excellence and choreography from groups like the Hong Kong Youth Ensemble, Tintabulations, and Bells of the Cascades. As an area officer, it was an opportunity to share ideas with officers from other areas and the National Board. As a composer, it was an opportunity to share ideas with other composers and network with potential publishers. I left the event with dozens of ideas, and hope I'm able to find the time and energy in the coming year to put many of them into action.

     This year's National Seminar was particularly convenient because it was located in Area 10. It was nice to not have to travel across the country to attend, and it was nice to see a number of friends from our area at the event. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Brian Parrott, Glen and Nancy Hascall, and everyone else on the local liaison team who managed the behind scenes work of borrowing equipment and making sure every room had the bells, chimes, and other equipment needed for the classes. I also want to thank all of the individuals and organizations in Area 10 who loaned equipment. The event would not have been possible without the support of many local volunteers.

     Looking ahead to next summer, we have a few more updates regarding our 2014 Area 10 Handbell Conference in Yakima. Last month we posted some basic information regarding cost and classes on the Area 10 web site. By the time you read this article, we expect to have the music list for the Tins, Coppers, Youth, and Massed divisions posted. We are still finalizing music selections for the Bronze division, and expect to have it available online within the next couple weeks.

     I would like to share a couple other new ideas we're going to introduce with our 2014 event. First, we have decided to have two Coppers divisions, Coppers I and Coppers II. It is not our intent for one group to be more advanced than the other, and expect Coppers choirs to choose the division that best meets their needs based on the music list and the clinician.

     The second new idea is regarding one of the pieces we've selected for the Massed ringing division. For years, I've heard a number of folks speak critically of Massed ringing, and question the musicality of having 50+ bell choirs all reading the exact same music. To more fully utilize the musical potential of massed ringing, I have arranged a six-choir setting of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. Each participating choir will be assigned a part based on their ringing division and their placement on the ringing floor. The piece was written to achieve an antiphonal effect and will be unique from anything that has ever been tried with massed ringing. Since we recognize that this is not a piece most groups will be able to perform on their own after the event, the music will be made available for a nominal fee ($10-20 for a choir, or $1-2 for an individual) upon registration with all of the proceeds going to Area 10. I'm very excited to hear how this piece turns out, and if successful, hope it's a concept that inspires other handbell composers and other events across the country.

"Honing Skills"

When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013 * 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Where: First Unitarian Church (SW 12th between Main & Salmon), Portland

Cost: $15 (covers coffee & snacks, lunch and cost of shipping music for the workshop)

* Dalcroze for Ringers with Dustin Hunley. Dalcroze Eurhythmics teach rhythm, structure and musical expression through body movements. Through carefully planned lessons and games, students develop connections between their ears, mind and body that are essential for musicianship. Rhythmic games teach teamwork, flexibility, concentration and expression through group interactions with music. Games of quick change and reaction also focus the mind, spark creativity, and increase student learning of any kind. Of course, these games are also incredibly fun; don't be surprised if you forget that you are learning!

* Damping, Let Me Count the Ways with Nancy Hascall. "To damp or not to damp" is only the first question. What about when, where, why, and how? Expand your musical horizons with this in-depth exploration of damping techniques and styles, and discover how the damping choices we make (or fail to make) can affect the musicality of our ringing. Includes finger damping, damping with multiple bells in hand, selective damping, timing, touch, stopped sounds, and more. For both directors and ringers. 

* Read 'n' Ring -- "Diverse Repertoire" with Ellie Hodder

            * 2-5 octave titles, levels 2-3+ music that is both stylistically and Ethnically Diverse.

Registration form 

 Please include $15 to cover the cost of snacks and a light lunch. Checks to "First Unitarian".

Mail to: Ellie Hodder, 4228 SE Mitchell, Portland, OR 97206 by September 9, 2013. (Later registrations okay, but please let me know by Friday so I can make sure there's enough  food for all.)

Questions? Call/txt Ellie Hodder at 503-730-9311 or email at [email protected].

Sunday, December 8 - 4:00 pm, First Baptist Church, 221 E Linden Street, Caldwell. "Carols of the Bells" with Treasure Valley Bronze (directed by Phyllis Tincher) and various homeschool choirs of Ruth Whitley. They will be joined by the Chancel Choir of the First Baptist Church. Free.

Sunday, December 15 - 4:00 pm, Jewitt Auditorium at The College of Idaho, Caldwell. 8th Annual "Kettle Koncert" for the Nampa and Caldwell Salvation Army with Phyllis Tincher, handbells, and Sean Rogers, piano. There will be a contribution opportunity for the Salvation Army during the concert.

 Wednesday, October 9 - noon-1:00 p.m.  Concert by Nancy Kirkner, solo handbells, and Janet Anderson, piano.  Music of modern American composers, including Amy Beach, Karen Lakey Buckwalter, George Gershwin, Scott Joplin, Linda Lamb, Eric Whitacre, and original compositions for handbells and bell trees.  Seattle Public Library, Microsoft Auditorium, 1000 Fourth Avenue, Seattle.  Free admission.  Bring your lunch.  More information at www.solobells.com.

Saturday, November 9 - 2:00-3:00 p.m.  Concert by Nancy Kirkner, solo handbells, and Janet Anderson, piano.  Music of modern American composers, including Amy Beach, Karen Lakey Buckwalter, George Gershwin, Scott Joplin, Linda Lamb, Eric Whitacre, and original compositions for handbells and bell trees.  Frye Museum auditorium, 704 Terry Street, Seattle.  Free admission to museum and concert, and free parking.  More information at www.solobells.com.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014 - 10:00-11:00 a.m.  Handbell musician Nancy Kirkner will be the featured speaker at the monthly meeting of Seattle Music Teachers' Association.  Topic:  Teaching music to the adult beginner.  Sherman Clay, 1624 Fourth Avenue, Seattle.  Open to the public.  Free admission.  More information at www.solobells.com.

Friday - Sunday, June 27-29, 2014 - Area 10 Handbell Conference, Musicality in Motion, Yakima Convention Center. See article above and visit our website, http://area10.handbellmusicians.org.