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Greetings, Area 12!
This is the last article I will write as your Chair. In September, I will move into the role of Past Chair, while Scott McGlasson will become Chair. As most of you know, this was my second time in the “Chair-Cycle”, having previously been your Chair from 2013-2016. It has been my great honor and privilege to serve Area 12 in this way and I am looking forward to serving as your Past Chair for the next two years, and working alongside incoming Chair Scott and our incoming Chair-Elect, Tessique Houston. Those of you who were at Neon City Rhythms (the 2026 Area 12 conference in Las Vegas) witnessed the ceremonial passing of UC Berkeley ribbon and the Area 12 B# closing bell from me to Scott. (Yes, the bell's handle says it'a a B-sharp!)
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Speaking of Las Vegas, it was a joy to see so many of you at Neon City Rhythms this summer! At that event, we announced that our 2028 conference will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area, but we are still looking for the perfect venue. If you know of a venue that would be suitable for our conference, please do not hesitate to tell me! We would like to continue holding high-quality events with excellent clinicians in good facilities.
As we enter the fall season, many of us are working to prepare for another program year of handbells. If any of you need help finding resources, clinicians, or just want to brainstorm ideas, please contact a member of your Area 12 board. We are here to help YOU!
Best wishes for a fabulous fall!
Signing off,
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Election Results!
We are excited to announce our newly-elected members of the Area 12 board! Beginning in September, the following people will be serving on our executive committee.
Chair-Elect - Tessique Houston
Secretary - Carol Flint
Treasurer - Marc Davidson
Congratulations to these individuals, and we look forward to their service on the board!
Additionally, we have filled three open positions via appointment:
Rachel Hines, Member-at-Large
Rylan Frankenberger, Membership
Marci Nuocer, Events Director
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Happy August, CenCal!
I’m definitely feeling energized after our Area
Conference. We had a great three days ringing with clinician Michael Glasgow and attending classes. Beth Loebig’s class on handbell maintenance was a great refresher on how to take bells apart, replace springs, troubleshoot issues – and, of course, put the bells back together correctly!
One highlight for my 9-year-old ringer was taking Alison Pruett's bell tree class, where she got to try bell tree for the first time. I also enjoyed hearing what others thought of the repertoire. One attendee I spoke to said her favorites were Prayer for Guidance and the arrangement of Viva Las Vegas, the latter being a challenging but very fun nod to our host city.
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The excursion to the Neon Museum was a fun way to end the first evening, giving us a chance to see some of Vegas’ history up close while catching up with long-distance bell buddies. One of my ringers reflected that one of her favorite parts was getting to know other people who share a love for handbells.
Many of us are now returning to the tables after summer break. Fall is the perfect time for some “handbell housekeeping.” Wash your gloves (ideally, this should be routine), organize your music files, and update your digital library and inventory. I’m always interested to hear about your repertoire selections and concert programming. As usual, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or just want to touch base.
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Web Weavings
Did you know there's a calendar page on the Area 12 website that has a lot of streamed concerts?
https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/calendar/area12-wide/
This is for all virtual concerts AND national/international events (e.g., International Symposium, Distinctly Bronze, Master Classes).
If you missed it, you can stilll watch the final concert of the 2026 International Symposium here.
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For information on Northern Nevada concerts, events, and other opportunities,
click here.
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Howdy!
I spent the last week of July at Lake Tahoe ringing bells. It's got to be the most beautiful place to have a bell conference. Here's the view from my room. This year's guest clinician was Lynn Atkins. I hope to see you join us next year!
I'd love to invite you and your ringers to Bell Jam on September 19th in Sparks, NV. It's going to be a great way to kick off the year. This one day workshop is FREE and includes a workshop and brunch social. Beginners are welcome, all music and bells are provided. For more information or to register go to: www.tintabulations.com. I hope to see you there!
Barb
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SOUTHERN NEVADA
Alison Pruett
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Hello Southern Nevada,
I hope everyone is having a great summer! We had a great time at the Area 12 conference in June at Faith Lutheran High School. Michael Glasgow was fabulous and so were the teachers! Hope you enjoyed it, too.
Believe it or not it’s almost time to start prepping for the holidays. If you’re starting to consider your holiday programs, don’t forget to consider including the pieces for the Twelfth Night Handbell Festival (an Area 12 endorsed event). Brenda Austin will be this year’s guest conductor!
Details are available at harmonyhandbells.com/festival.
Hope to see you there!
Alison
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Hello, SoCal!
I know many of you have enjoyed the summer vacation, but returning to regular handbell rehearsals and performances is just around the corner. Several larger events are still to happen over the summer; typically the best places to find information about their live-streamed concerts are Facebook and our own Area 12 calendar. Zenith 2026 has just concluded, and the concert is available on their YouTube channel. It was a spectacular concert, including five current and and one former SoCal performer.
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. Go to https://www.schandbell.org/events for more information.
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Also, please check the calendar for other events that might be happening in our area, and sponsored by HMA. And if you are hosting a handbell related event, don’t forget to put it on the calendar.
Blessings, Carol Pickford
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Dear Area 12,
Rev Up Your Handbell Engines takes place on August 15, in San Clemente, CA.
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.
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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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Hello, Northern California,
SAVE THE DATE: Redding will be hosting the Redding Handbell Festival on Saturday, October 24th. It's time to think about gathering a friend or two and make plans to attend!
Cindy Ksiazek
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REDDING HANDBELL FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 24, 2026
9:00 a.m. through 5:30 p.m.
Redding Christian Fellowship
2157 Victor Ave.
Redding, CA
Summer is slowly slipping away, schools will be starting, and fall is right around the corner. Looking for a fall festival to attend once your bell rehearsals begin? Then plan to attend the Redding Handbell Festival.
Massed director is Barb Walsh, a lady with a lot of energy! She plans to pass that energy on to the ringers as they prepare massed numbers.
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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 do so 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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to submit YOUR event!
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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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