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Happy New Year, Area 12 —
I hope you have all enjoyed a break from the holiday handbell rush and are ready to resume rehearsals and concerts. As for me, I enjoyed my first Christmas concert and Christmas Eve with my church bell choir, the Asbury Ringers of Asbury UMC in Livermore, as well as spending New Years Eve with some dear handbell friends. I feel refreshed and am now looking forward to resuming our regular rehearsals!
Your Area 12 board is meeting via Zoom on Saturday, January 17. This is a much shorter meeting than our biannual in-person two-day meetings; we will be checking in with each other to keep everybody informed on the progress of various projects and/or events. If you have a question you’d like us to address, please send it to me so we can get it onto the agenda. We always love hearing from our membership!
As always, there are lots of things happening in Area 12 this Spring. Be sure to take a look at the event calendar on our website and then submit your own events. I love going to handbell events and I know I’m not the only one!
Until next month,
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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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Happy New Year, CenCal!
I asked our CenCal members to share a highlight or memory to wrap up the year.
● Rebecca Hendricks and Judy Zaretzka enjoyed sharing music at senior communities, holiday events, and churches, and the audiences loved a chance to participate by playing chime chords while singing along. Their eight-bell duet, Bellissima, played six programs around SLO County and in Santa Maria.
● Marilyn Howard of Grace Lutheran Church in Modesto shared their fourth annual “Christmas at Grace” concert, “the church was completely packed.” For Christmas Eve, they rang several eight bell selections, including ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime.
● Scott Davis of the Bells of St. Andrew in Santa Maria shared that one of their favorite pieces to play each year is Cynthia Dobrinski’s We Three Kings. Considered their signature piece, it is accompanied by a stuffed camel named Niles, who has become the ensemble’s beloved mascot.
● Ken and Kathie Mackie reflected on their love of handbells and composing from years past. Kathie’s first handbell piece, Joy, began as a personal challenge and was later published after winning an Area 12 composition contest. One of her most memorable moments came at the Area 12 2008 Riverside conference, when massed ringing featured her composition Ancient Echoes. As the piece began with singing bells, the sound seemed to emerge from the room itself, growing so gradually that the audience collectively gasped.
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● Opus Handbell Ensemble enjoyed ringing throughout the Central Valley. Director Lisa Traughber shares, “From Hughson to Modesto to Stockton, we experienced the energy and emotion of over 1,500 audience members”. What a blessing to share handbells with someone for the first time!
● Soloist Christine Anderson recently returned from ringing in Houston. She recalls one memorable night in Wales when she was asked to ring Silent Night while the congregation lit candles - but the lights went completely out! “I was about to panic,” she says, relying on touch and her memory of the first few notes. A tiny flicker of light finally appeared, and all went well. She wrote she would play this again for Christmas Eve in Santa Clarita (hopefully with more light!).
Keep sending in your updates; here’s to another year of ringing and making beautiful music together!
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Hello So Cal!
What a glorious holiday season it has been!
I participated in seven concerts, and was able to attend several more, many of which included handbells. I hope you and yours were able to enjoy many holiday festivities as well.
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As we turn our attention to spring, the SoCal Spring Ring 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. As the Area 12 conference committee is finishing up their music selection soon, Barbara will be using some of those pieces in our SoCal Spring Ring so that those of you who are interested in doing both events can enjoy some amount of music overlap. Please look for registration to open in February, and mark May 1-2 on your calendars!
Wishing you a wonderful start to 2026.
Blessings,
Carol Pickford
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Web Weavings
How often do you check out the main page
of the Area 12 website (https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/)?
There's a lot of information available at a glance.The most prominent is the banner. Every few seconds it transitions to another screen.
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Currently it includes a call for nominations for elected offices, a snap shot on our upcoming biennial conference, and volunteer opportunities. We are looking to add new appointed officers to help with the work of Area 12. (psst - for those in school looking to improve CV/resume for upcoming job search, volunteering for a non-profit looks really good). If you have an upcoming handbell event or sell a handbell related item, you can get your own banner ad (details at https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/advertise-on-the-area-12-website/).Beneath the button to donate to Area 12 is a calendar of upcoming events area wide (and national events).
On the right is a section of quick posts with the latest news related to upcoming area-wide and national events.
At the top of the page are some menus that help you navigate through the rest of the website.
So, when you have a few minutes, check out the Area 12 website.
Gail Berg
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For information on Northern Nevada concerts, events, and other opportunities,
click here.
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Howdy!
I hope your Christmas performances went well!
I think Tintab's favorite performance was at the Carson Valley UMC in Gardnerville, NV. CVUMC's advanced ensemble, Campane, and Tintab both played some pieces separately, but we got to play one piece together, Jason Krug's 12 bell arrangement of Up on the Housetop. We camped it up with Campane being the perfectly behaved ensemble while various Tintab member were not well behaved at all.
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The audience enjoyed the collaboration, but I think the ringers in both groups enjoyed it more! We are looking forward to collaborating with Campane in the future.
All this got me to thinking about what the positives are with collaborating. Here's what I came up with:
- foster and expand our bell community
- attract a wider audience
- expose more people to more genres, ie. sacred vs. secular
- learn and get inspired by seeing new techniques, fresh performance ideas, literature, etc.
- exposure to different directing and ringing styles
- adapting to a larger group
- camaraderie/team building
- it's fun!
If you'd like to see the video of it, one of the church members graciously recorded it and sent me the the link. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/C8NzUuABS18
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SOUTHERN NEVADA
Alison Pruett
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Greetings,
As you read this, we’re getting ready to welcome ringers from Arizona, Southern California, and all over Nevada for the Twelfth Night Handbell Festival (an Area 12 endorsed event). We’re expecting about 80 ringers to come together under the direction of Brian Childers to close out the holiday season. The closing concert will be at 5:00pm on January 10 at the Boulder City Recreation Center (900 Arizona St., Boulder City). If you can’t join in person, we’ll be live streaming it on the Twelfth Night Handbell Festival Facebook page Facebook.com/twelfthnighthandbellfestival where the video will remain for 30 days if you want to view it later. Looking forward to seeing lots of new and returning folks there!
Alison Pruett
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Neon City Rhythms (NCR) NEWS!
Registration for the event opens February 1, 2026. Please check our website for more information. Registration includes participation in massed and divisional ringing, classes, and final concert. https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/ncr2026/
Last Call for Teachers!
If you want to teach at Neon City Rhythms this summer, please submit your class no later than January 18th. Send your class idea to Area 12 by filling out the form at the following link: NCR Faculty Application or send an email to our Chair-Elect, Scott McGlasson at mcglasp@nv.ccsd.net
Repetoire has been selected! Check out the titles here:
https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/ncr2026/repertoire/
Scholarships are available! The Mel Tully Scholarship is available to Directors attending their first conference. Learn more about Mel, the scholarship, and download the application here: https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/mel-tully-memorial-scholarship/
Join us Thursday evening after the Director's workshop for an optional excursion to The Neon Museum. Also known as the Neon Boneyard, the museum illuminates the cultural essence of Las Vegas by sharing iconic signage, diverse collections, and stories that define its vibrant past, present, and future. This is an opportunity to see Vegas history up close. Founded in 1996, the Boneyard provides a home for classic Las Vegas neon signage to be enjoyed. We look forward to seeing you there! Check it out here:
Neon City Rhythms Sponsorship Opportunities:
⭐️ SOLD! The conductor’s podium
⭐️ SOLD! The clinician’s meals
⭐️ SOLD! One class room
Three more class rooms available at $300
One class session for $100
Snacks for the attendees for $300
The massed ring for $500
The Director’s Seminar for $500
Each sponsor will be prominently recognized in the event program, on our website, and in person at the event.
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Northern California
Cindy Ksiazek
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Ringing Around the Sacramento Area!
Northern California bell choirs were busy in December! River Bells spread holiday cheer ringing at the Folsom Christmas Tree lighting, Oak Farm Vineyards, Lucas Winery and Bear Hollow Estates Senior Living and at the Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church.
Davis Community Bell choir performed in their church’s Christmas concert.
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Woodland Glory Shakers combined with the vocal choir each Sunday of Advent providing special bell and choir anthems.
Handbell music is a highlight for many people during the Christmas season. Thank you to all the bell choirs in the Sacramento area for providing special holiday music in the community and the churches.
I wish you all a Happy New Year 2026,
Cindy Ksiazek
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Here We Come a Ringing for the Holidays!
Across Far Northern California bells could be heard ringing on the coast at Eureka. Bella Norte Handbells made six visits in the community to share the art of handbell ringing at three senior centers, an Adult Day Care Facility in Arcata, The Salvation Army’s Kettle kick-off brunch, as well as their senior living complex.
In Redding, the Carillons rang holiday music for the residents of the Redding Veterans Home and the Vistas Assisted Living Residence. Both places were treated to handcrafted items such as lap robes, knit hats, knit scarves, and walker bags made by the women of St. James Lutheran Church. Redding Bell Peppers spread holiday cheer at community facilities and churches. The Nazarene Bell choir rang at their church’s evening Christmas concert and for a church service.
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FAR NORTH
Nancy Schmitt
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Farther North in Yreka the Shasta Valley Handbells performed at their church’s Christmas dinner and program. Since ringers are from different churches it was a rare opportunity to perform together for Christmas.
I would like to thank all the directors and ringers in the North State for giving of your time and talents during this extremely busy time of year. You are very much appreciated.
Happy New Year from your Far Northern Regional Liaison,
Nancy Schmitt
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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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Please submit your ads via email to:
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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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