The Twelfth Tone September News

Chair

Scott McGlasson

Hello Area 12!

It was wonderful meeting so many of you at the Neon City Rhythms Area Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, this summer. Michèle passed the bell to me at the end of the conference. I will be serving as Chair of Area 12 for the next two years.

For those I haven't met yet, here's a little about me: I recently relocated back to Northern California after teaching music In Las Vegas for the past seven years to take a job teaching high school orchestra at Cupertino High School.

I got my start playing handbells about 12 years ago when a church I was attending needed extra ringers and had the privilege of learning to ring on Whitechapel Bells. From then on I was hooked; I joined Riverbells in Sacramento and Velocity in Oakland shortly after. As a composer, I am fascinated by the possibilities of the handbell ensemble and began to compose and arrange music for this new medium that I discovered and haven't looked back since.

Handbell musicians are unique in that we must work together constantly in order to produce music, which is also a fitting metaphor for society. When we all work together we are able to create something beautiful.

I look forward to sharing the joy of handbell music with all of you over the coming years.

Scott

From the Treasurer:

Hello Area 12!

In the spirit of giving this month, please consider a tax-deductible donation to Area 12. This is a perfect approach for those over 70 ½, and if you have an IRA or a 401K, a donation may be sent from it as a Qualified Charitable Donation (QCD) to us. Your financial institution has the form to complete. You may also wish to ask your IRA custodian, tax adviser, or financial adviser whether making that gift through a QCD would be advantageous for you.

For additional information about donations to Area 12, please contact Marc Davidson, treasurer.area12@handbellmusicians.org.

Education

Beth Loebig

Hello Handbell Friends!

I hope everyone has hada fabulous summer! While the summer heat still seems to be with us, I find myself looking forward to one my favorite aspects of Fall - the return of regular handbell rehearsals. As schools are starting back up, I wanted to send a quick reminder of the amazing Educational resources Area 12 provides.

First - our loan program! Area 12 is blessed to have multiple sets of bells and chimes available to loan (free of charge) to schools wanting to start handbell programs. Please click here for more information and the application for the loan program.

Second - Handbell Musicians of America has put together a fabulous list of resources. Visit the Education page here for a variety of resources for musicians of all programs.

And did you know that Area 12 has a mentorship program? If you are interested in being a handbell mentor, please fill out the form here. Area 12 has an amazing wealth of knowledge and resources. Let's make it available to everyone! If you are interested in connecting with a mentor, please email me at education.area12@handbellmusicians.org.

I hope everyone has a fabulous time ringing together as we head into this Fall season!

Beth

Web Weavings

As you are planning for fall/winter concert season, please consider adding your concert (or live stream) to the Area 12 calendar.

You can submit concerts at

https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/submit-your-event/

Please indicate which region (i.e., Regional Coordinator geographic responsibility) your event is in, and include a note of what other regions you would like your event publicized in.

WEBMASTER

Gail Berg

Checking the Area 12 regional calendar (or full region calendar with all the events) is a great way to fill a weekend and hear some wonderful holiday handbell music. Submit your event to HMA calendar at:

https://handbellmusicians.org/event-calendar-submission/

(The sooner your concert is submitted, the sooner it will be on all the website.)

You can also submit to Two Tacos High podcast calendar: https://www.twotacoshigh.com/

NORTHERN NEVADA

Barbara Walsh

For information on Northern Nevada concerts, events, and other opportunities,

click here.

Howdy!

This is an exciting time of year for most bell groups; reading and picking new pieces, seeing old friends and meeting new ones, and getting to attend bell events like Bell Jam on September 19th in Sparks, NV! This will be a good time with plenty of ringing refreshers, food, fellowship, and fun! The event is free, but if possible, we'd like you to register so we know how much food and how many bells to put out. Go to https://tintabulations.com/ to find the form or ask questions. We hope to see you there!

Barb

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.

FAR NORTH

Nancy Schmitt

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

Brain Games for Musicians is sure to get your heart pumping as you start to wonder if you are left-brained or right-brained.
0-60 mph (say what?) yes, you will learn to perform a piece with just one rehearsal which could turn out to be a lifesaver for a Sunday anthem!
Shelley and 4-in-hand 101 will teach that novice ringer how to play that extra bell in their hands!
Bring the Music off the Page and learn to perform like the other group that you just heard.

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 sponsored event by Handbell Musicians of America.

Happy Ringing,

Nancy Schmitt

Hello, Northern California,

I hope to see you next month at the Redding Handbell Festival on Saturday, October 24th. I hope you'll gather a friend or two and make plans to attend!

Cindy Ksiazek

NOCAL

Cindy Ksiazek

Hello, SoCal!

Just days ago I had my first rehearsal of the season, and another choir started the day after Labor Day. I’m sure the evidence is all around you of school starting back in session and bell choirs getting back to regular rehearsals.

I have heard great things about South County Community Handbell Choir’s Rev Up event in August. I know the bells that my church loaned came back with a “Choir 8” sticker attached, so it was well attended, and lots of great preparation work for the year ahead was accomplished. If you missed out this year, I hope you’ll keep your ears to the ground for next summer’s event.

Coming up in just a few weeks is another endorsed event from LA Bronze, Read & Ring – please see the ad in the newsletter for more information. A casual day of fun, and a chance to read through 30 pieces. Join us, and perhaps you’ll find something to add to your repertoire this year or next.

Both the national organization of HMA and Area 12 invite you to put your concerts (Holiday or otherwise) on their calendar.

Blessings,

Carol Pickford

SOCAL

Carol Pickford

SOUTHERN NEVADA

Alison Pruett

Hello Southern Nevada,

I hope you are all back ringing after the summer break! As many of you know, I specialize in playing bells on a bell tree. I also help organize the Into the Forest bell tree festival every year hosted by Handbell Musicians of America. It is a festival that focuses on bell trees only with classes and a closing concert that any of the attendees are able to participate in. If you’re interested in viewing the concert, it’s available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/live/lEtLoffObVM?is=MnoVzq39x5uA-Hkr.

Area12 was well represented at this years festival. Next year’s festival will be in early August in Livonia, Michigan. If you have any questions about Into the Forest or bell trees, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Happy ringing!

Alison

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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Area 12 Bell/Chime Loan Program

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.