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Dear Area 12 - Due to circumstances beyond your board's control (Lent, Easter, Computer issues, Life...), the March Twelfth Tone was not published. We sincerely apologize. We hope you enjoy this April edition. Please do check out the articles from board members as well as the Calendar of Events. We hope to see you at Neon City Rhythms in July!
Sincerely,
Michèle Sharik, Chair
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Greetings, Area 12 -
Your Area 12 board took some time out of our busy “it’s almost Easter!” time and met March 13-14. We each reported on what we’ve been doing in our positions, as well as the status of our 2026 Conference Committee’s preparations.
Have YOU registered for Neon City Rhythms yet? It’s going to be a great event & I, for one, can’t wait! Registration is now open – don’t miss this opportunity to work with Michael Glasgow, take classes from some of the handbell community’s best teachers, and fellowship with fellow Area 12 ringers and directors. (Don’t forget about the optional evening excursion!)
Register here: https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/ncr2026/
I wish you all the best in your Spring preparations.
Until next month,
| | | | | Area 12 Board hard at work on March 13 and 14. | | | |
Area 12 at Distinctly Bronze
David Anderson, Carol Flint*, P.L. Grove, Susan Hitch, Tessique Houston, Beth Mays Loebig*, Gretchen Rauch, Michèle Sharik*, Debbie Shaw, Shannon Shaw-Perez, Marquise Usher*, Julie Vaquilar
Also pictured: Michael Glasgow, Distinctly Bronze Conductor; and Area 12's own Barbara Meinke, Crescendo Conductor
* = Area 12 Board Member
| | Mari shares why should you consider joining the Area 12 Board? | | |
Nominations for Elected Board Positions
It is that time to prepare for elections. We are looking for nominations for the three elected positions: Chair (6-year cycle), Secretary (2-year cycle), and Treasurer (2-year cycle). We need two candidates to be placed on the ballot for each position. Would you or someone you know be interested in a nomination for the ballot?
In addition, we have openings for the following appointed positions: Events Coordinator, Membership Director, and Member-at-Large.
If you are interested in or know of someone who might be interested in any of these elected or appointed positions, please contact Marci Nuoffer at pastchair.area12@handbellmusicians.org with any nominations.
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Our Spring Area 12 board meeting was held on March 13th and 14th in So Cal.
The plans for the Area12 Neon City Rhythms conference that will be held on June 18-20, 2026 in Summerlin (near Las Vegas) on campus at Faith Lutheran are coming together nicely. Registration is open. Come join us for this boutique conference with renowned handbell clinician Michael Glasgow. Check out the event website for more details – It’s going to be awesome! Lot’s of ringing and classes and catching up with good friends!
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Another important discussion from our meeting was about the upcoming Area12 board elections. The Nominating Committee is actively working on putting the ballot together. Please let your RC or any board member know if you or someone you know would be interested in serving on the Area12 board.
Area 12’s next board meeting will be June 6, 2026. Talk to your RC if you have any comments, questions, concerns or issues that you would like to see added to the agenda.
Happy ringing,
Carol Flint
Area12 Secretary
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Hi CenCal!
I recently returned from two weeks in Singapore as a “foreign guest ringer” with the Ministry of Bellz handbell ensemble. I spent nine intensive days with 18 international ringers and two guest conductors.
In addition to rehearsals, we visited local primary and secondary schools to ring alongside students and observe Singapore’s handbell programs firsthand. I was impressed by the students’ technical skill, as well as their responsiveness to the guest conductors and openness to new ideas.
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The show day was long but incredibly rewarding. We played in a performing arts center for an audience of around 450. The stage was packed with four sets of handbells, guitars, drum kits, a vocalist, keyboards, and a massive array of percussion! The program, "Mi Tierra" (My Homeland), featured Latin and pop music from around the world. Titles included Por Una Cabeza, El Jarabe Tapatio, Aquarela do Brasil, El Cumbanchero, In the Stone, and more.
We focused on engaging the audience with short transitions between songs, lighting and multimedia elements, and a samba batucada call-and-response segment. The finale quite literally ended with a bang as more than 20 confetti cannons exploded over the stage!
How quickly strangers can become friends when ringing together! Even halfway around the world, the rhythms, challenges, and funny moments of handbell rehearsals felt just like home. I’m already hoping to head back for the 2028 International Symposium! As you prepare your own spring concerts, be sure to add them to the Area 12 calendar and check out what is already scheduled. Happy ringing!
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Web Weavings
Do you know who Erma Basset was? Do you know what was started because of her?
Erma served on the Area 12 board in three decades (1979-1992) and was the first Nevada district representative (now Regional Coordinator). In her memory, a set of handbells was purchased and was the first set Area 12 had available to be loaned to schools to help start handbell programs around the Area.
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For information on Northern Nevada concerts, events, and other opportunities,
click here.
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Howdy
It's time for the 24th Annual Sierra Spring hosted by Tintabulations!
May 9th
9:00am-3:30pm
Sparks United Methodist Church, 1231 Pyramid Way, Sparks, NV.
Early bird registration (through May 1st) is $20.
Massed ringing pieces are:
Ah, Holy Jesus - arr. Cathy Moklebust, pub. Choristers Guild,
2-3 oct. CGB1407, 3-5 oct. CGB1408
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee - arr. Arnold Sherman, pub. Agape/Hope, 2-3 oct. 1652, 4-6 oct. 1851\
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Classes are:
We're All Playing the Same Song...Right? - Come play some games and learn how to improve communication, foster trust, and encourage collaboration. No bells needed!
From Pulse to Precision: Rhythm Training for Ringers - Elevate your rhythmic accuracy by internalizing meter and subdivision with body percussion and hand drums. We'll be using movement and "saying and playing" techniques to bridge the gap between notation and playing.
How and Why Do Warm-Ups? - Warm-ups are a great way to begin every rehearsal! Not only do they mentally and physically prepare you, but they can teach so much in a short amount of time - and they're fun!
What?! There's More than Ringing and Damping?! - Come and learn what they're called and how to play all those dots, plusses, and squiggly lines next to your notes in this handbell articulations class.
4-in-Hand - Learn the basics of the 4-in-hand technique, which truly means just two bells per hand (it's inventor wanted to sound really impressive!).
Pretzel Work for Handbells - Do you ever feel like a pretzel when you're doing bell changes? In this class, we'll be learning and doing a technique called weaving to help get your arms uncrossed!
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SOUTHERN NEVADA
Alison Pruett
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Hello Southern Nevada!
I'm sure everyone is getting ready for their Easter and spring performances. Remember to post your concerts on the Area 12 Calendar of events so we can all attend and support each other!
Neon City Rhythms registration is open! We've kept registration at $190. There will be many class options as well as different massed ringing levels under the direction of the acclaimed Michael Glasgow.
Are you a director? Michael Glasgow will also be conducting a directors' workshop before the kickoff of the conference. All of this will be held at Faith Lutheran Middle and High School in Summerlin, Las Vegas.
June 18-20
Registration details at: https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/ncr2026/.
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Hope to see you there!
Alison
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Brian Childers
Clinician for
2026 Bay Area Spring Ring
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Hey Bay Area,
I'm sure you've seen that the Bay Area Spring Ring is coming up, April 18th. I'm so excited to have Brian Childers as the clinician. I've had the opportunity to ring under Brian at Distinctly Bronze West in the past. And most recently, Brian led the Unpublished Music Reading Session at Pinnacle 2025 in Kansas. Brian was able to give me some valuable insight on my composition that I submitted for publication. And most recently because of that, my composition has been accepted for publication! You might have already known that Brian is a composer, but did you know that he was an author too? I can't wait for Brian to come and share his many talents with us this April.
There's still room at the table for both groups and individuals at this year's Spring Ring. Use the links below to register.
For more information visit http://handbellventures.org/springring2026.html.
I can't wait to see you all this April!
Marquise Usher
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Festival Time: Part 2
In last month’s article I talked about going to festivals and what perks are offered. I mentioned massed ringing, classes, and shopping. This month I would like to mention two more things.
Camaraderie: From teenagers to great-grandparents, we all enjoy each other’s company. What better fellowship can there be than spending hours with other people who love ringing handbells?
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Food: You can bring your favorite snacks. How often do you get to dine out with your fellow ringers away from your spouse, children, or coworkers? Maybe you could have a party in someone’s room after your equipment is set up. When the festival is over perhaps your group could go out for dinner on the way home.
So fling into spring by attending a festival and I guarantee that you will still be talking about the experience for years to come.
If your group is presenting a spring concert please be sure to send in the information to the Area 12 website.
Happy ringing,
Nancy Schmitt
Area 12 Far Northern California Liaison
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Hello SoCal!
Details are now available on the SoCal Spring Ring, which will be held again in our favorite location, St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Oceanside, CA on May 1-2. Barbara Meike will lead the event for all levels of ringers. Details can be found on the Area 12 website, or by going directly to this link: 2026-SoCalSR- Registration Info We hope to see you there!
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The desert community around Palm Desert held their 2nd annual Desert Ring Out! Four choirs participated, and the conducting was shared by four different conductors. Each of the choirs prepared a couple pieces on their own, and then joined together for a couple massed pieces. It was a lovely afternoon of sharing rehearsal time, and presenting our concert to a very receptive audience. Please watch the Area 12 calendar for next year’s date if you would like to participate in 2027.
Do you have anything you would like to share with your local handbell community? A success story, or just something fun related to handbells? Please let me know, I’d be happy to include it in a future article.
Blessings,
Carol Pickford
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SAVE THE DATE: Handbell Summer Camp (for grades 5 - 9): July 6 - 10, 2026 in Irvine
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Dear Los Angeles, Orange County, and Ventura ringers,
Please share news about your own handbell ensemble! Email me at
LA-OC-V.area12@handbellmusicians.org
I'd love to get the word out about any concerts or events you're running, as well as photos or updates about what your ensemble is up to. Email me anytime and I can share it in this newsletter, even if it's just a simple update, group photo, or performance recording!
Erik Der
P.S. Erik's email has changed to
LA-OC-V.area12@handbellmusicians.org, please update your address books.
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Our National Organization (click logos to get more info!) | | |
The Twelfth Tone is published on or around the first of each month, except July, by Area 12 of the Handbell Musicians of America (The Guild). The Guild is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the musical art of handbell/handchime ringing through education, community, and communication. The editor of this publication reserves the right to reject or modify copy.
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Teachers: Would you like the use of a three octave set of handbells or handchimes to add interest and a new dimension to your music class?
Area 12 encourages schools and other educational institutions, both public and private, to develop educational programs using handbells and handchimes.
To support the development of such programs, Area 12 has six 3-octave sets of handbells and three 3-octave sets of handchimes for loan.
To learn more about the responsibilities and procedures for participating in this program, click here.
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