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Greetings, Area 12!
As I write this, Neon City Rhythms (the 2026 Area 12 conference) starts in just two weeks. I can hardly wait! I’m looking forward to working with our clinician Michael Glasgow as he brings his expertise and energy to Las Vegas. I’m also looking forward to teaching and, of course, to playing bells with all of my handbell friends! If you haven’t registered yet, it’s not too late. Just go to https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/ncr2026 and fill out the registration form.
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In other news, if you are an HMA member, you should have received an email notice that Area 12 is having an election. We have excellent candidates for all three of our elected positions: Treasurer, Secretary, and Chair-Elect. The voting period is May 22 – June 20, 2026, so please vote! Here’s the link to the voting instructions: https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/voting-instructions-2026/
I hope to see many of you in Vegas!
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Hi CenCal!
It is only a few weeks until the Neon City Rhythms conference this June, but there is still time to sign up! As you may have noticed, I love attending handbell events - workshops, festivals, conferences, symposiums, you name it! One of the things I enjoy is seeing new perspectives on handbell ringing and directing. I can say that I have always come away from each event with some new idea on a technique or ways to teach handbells to others. I also enjoy classes as they help solidify what we already know. And of course, there is the opportunity to ring fun music in a massed setting, both with planned repertoire and reading sessions. I recently invited a few singing friends who had never seen a handbell concert to a Spring Ring, and they were amazed at the level of coordination of all those musicians! Plus, there is almost always more than one person on each part, so no need to worry about getting every single note - whew!
| | | Most of us are taking a summer break from rehearsals. Maybe you are thinking about how to recruit new ringers or planning repertoire for your next season and beyond. Be sure to check out the Area 12 calendar; besides NCR in Las Vegas, I am planning to attend both the Redding Handbell Festival in October (NorCal) and the Twelfth Night Festival (South NV) in January, featuring clinician Brenda Austin (Boulder City, NV). Please send any concert dates my way, as well as any questions, thoughts, or ideas you may have. I’d love to chat! | | | | |
It's time to VOTE!
We encourage all of Area 12’s voting members to participate in this year’s Board of Directors elections, held electronically through the Handbell Musicians of America’s confidential online voting system. For information on how to cast your vote, go to: https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/voting-instructions-2026/
Voting will remain open until June 20th.
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Web Weavings
How often do you go to the front page of the Area 12 website? https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/
Do you stay a while, or immediately navigate to somewhere else?
Did you know that the "Welcome to Area 12" image on the main page is actually a revolving banner? The latest news and more comes up like a slide show. It might be information about an upcoming conference (like Neon City Rhythms), or a director's workshop, elections, or volunteer opportunities.
So, next time you go to the website, stay a bit and check out the banner. (You can use the arrows to advance through the slides faster.)
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For information on Northern Nevada concerts, events, and other opportunities,
click here.
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Howdy!
Our 24th Annual Sierra Spring Ring was a blast! Lots of food, fellowship and fun was had by all. A highlight were all the classes! Here's a short peek at a few.
Pulse and Rhythm class - https://youtu.be/MgufdhZQ-F0
Teamwork - https://youtu.be/dELB-x07LrM
If you missed out, don't worry. There's another bell event happening, Bell Jam, on Sept. 19th, so save the date! Hopefully we'll see youths month at the Area 12 conference in Las Vegas!
Barb
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Hello, SoCal!
I hope many of you were able to find time to enjoy concerts during the month of May, there were so many to choose from! Just a couple days ago I had the pleasure of attending the end of year percussion concert at Riverside City College. I attended for the handbell choir at RCC, but the whole concert was amazing, such talented youth we have!
Looking forward, I know there are a couple local events over the summer to kick off your season, including Rev Up Your Handbell Engines on August 15th. Check it out: Events - South County Community Handbell Choir.
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Also, please check the calendar for other events that might be happening in our area, and sponsored by the national HMA board. And if you are hosting a handbell related event, don’t forget to put it on the calendar.
Lastly, it’s not too late to sign up for our Area 12 event in Las Vegas. More than half the attendees this year are individual ringers, not part of a group, so if you were thinking it’s not very practical to go as an individual ringer, that is absolutely not the case. We have plenty of other ringers we can put with you to form choirs, and you may just meet your new best bell buddy! More details for Neon City Rhythms can be found here: Neon City Rhythms - June 18-20, 2026 - Area 12 Handbell Musicians of America
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 Area 12,
Two events are coming to Southern California this Summer. Please consider registering:
The Concordia Handbell Summer Camp is a week long, fun filled experience for kids grades 5 - 9. No handbell or music experience is required to attend. Attendees will spend the week experiencing our music facilities while improving their handbell skills and general music abilities. Registration includes daily lunches, five days full of music activities and learning, snacks, a mini golf outing, a closing concert for the family, and so much more! Optional supervised dorm stay available.
Dates: July 6 - 10
Registration Deadline: Register by June 20
Limited Time Promo Code: ILOVEHANDBELLS
Learn more at: simpletix.com/e/handbell-summer-camp-2026-tickets-260079
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Rev Up Your Handbell Engines takes place on August 15 in San Clemente. Learn more and register at https://www.schandbell.org/events.html
The workshop offers education and a terrific opportunity to ring in a massed setting for all levels of handbell musicians.An optional 9:00 am session gives participants a choice of three hands-on coaching and mentoring sessions: Weaving; 4-in-hand; and Revving Up, Festival Prep.
- Weaving,
- 4-in-hand, and
- Revving Up, Festival Prep.
Then at 10:00 am all participants will explore two handbell pieces with clinician Anne Kelley, from Apache Junction, AZ. Anne is currently the Chair of Handbell Musicians of America (HMA), Area 11. The workshop will focus on technique, articulations, and rhythmic drills to enhance skills and foster group cohesion needed for confident performances throughout the ringing season. The South County Community Handbell Choir and friends will function as mentors. In addition to the group instruction, participants will ring alongside handbell musicians from more experienced choirs to learn through observation and individual attention.
Almost everything will be supplied for the participants, and no prior preparation is needed. Participants will be asked to bring gloves, risers if needed, and binders. There will be some of these items available for loan. Lunch is on your own and refreshments will be provided for the breaks.
Youth (5th grade & up) are welcome at this event.
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SOUTHERN NEVADA
Alison Pruett
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Hello Southern Nevada,
I hope everyone has had a great spring ringing season! Lots of great concerts out there! I am looking forward to the Neon City Rhythms Conference this month and can't wait to see new and old friends from Area 12 all coming to Las Vegas. Don't forget to register ASAP if you are thinking of coming. Michael Glasgow is NOT to be missed! Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. I hope to see you there!
Please register HERE.
You can check out everything related to the conference at https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/ncr2026/.
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Hello, Northern California,
I always enjoy hearing from directors or ringers from different bell choirs in Northern California.
Margaret Boothby of Grass Valley United Methodist Church shares this: We have 9 ringers, 4 of them since last December! Because of our new people we are playing Level 1+ music right now. When there were 5 of us (plus me playing) we were doing Level 2+ with ringers playing 2 positions. Now I can direct and teach, so things are moving along and we are playing three octaves. We were hit hard during COVID. Losing 3 members is a hard thing to come back from. Our new members are the answer to prayer! We ring for church services about once a month. We own 5 octaves of bells and 4 octaves of chimes, so if you hear of anyone in our area looking for a ringing home, we have plenty of room for more!
Redding will be hosting the Redding Handbell Festival, October 24, 2026. We hope to see you there! Barb Walsh will be the massed director.
Cindy Ksiazek
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SAVE THE DATE FOR THE REDDING HANDBELL FESTIVAL
October 24, 2026
9:00 a.m. through 5:30 p.m.
Massed Director: Barb Walsh
Jump start your fall ringing by attending this festival of massed ringing, classes, and a final concert open to the public. Massed ringing can send chills up and down your spine. Brass will accompany that first song, “The Star-Spangled Banner” as we celebrate America. Wow! What a celebratory way to begin the concert.
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Massed Pieces
Ah, Holy Jesus, arr. Cathy Moklebust, Level 2
Hashievenu, arr. Brenda Austin, Level 2
Yankee Doodle Medley, arr. Patricia Hurlbutt, Level 2
The Star-Spangled Banner, arr. John T. Bartsch, Level 2+
Full bell choirs and individual ringers are always welcome.
Classes
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Brain Games for Musicians is sure to get your heart pumping as you start to wonder if you are left-brained or right-brained.
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0-60 mph (say what?) yes, you will learn to perform a piece with just one rehearsal which could turn out to be a life saver for a Sunday anthem!
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Shelley and 4-in-hand 101 will teach that novice ringer how to play that extra bell in their hands!
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Bring the Music off the Page and learn to perform like the other group that you just heard.
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Registration fee is $40.00 per ringer.
Final Concert
Ever wish that you could show off your stuff! Now you can at the concert by playing a solo, duet, quartet, or a bell choir solo. There will be plenty of rehearsal time so get ready, set, GO and share your talent!
For more information or to register for this fall festival please contact Nancy Schmitt: schmitt@awwwsome.com
This festival is endorsed by Handbell Musicians of America
Happy Ringing,
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.
We have over 1500 contacts, a 40% open rate (17% higher than the industry average) and a 13% click rate. Book your ad NOW!
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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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