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Greetings, Area 12 --
As I write this, I am preparing for my new church bell choir’s first rehearsal of the fall season. As I delve into our extensive library of music, I notice that there are several pieces played at past Area 12 conferences! Pieces like Ancient Echoes by Kathie Mackie, Arnold Sherman’s Animato, Cathy Moklebust’s arrangement of Biebl’s Ave Maria, and her rhythmic Bwana Asifiwe, and of course who could forget Fred Grammann’s Change Ring Prelude on 'Divinum Mysterium'!
Speaking of Area 12 conferences, our Conference Committee is hard at work organizing our 2026 conference Neon City Rhythms, June 18-22, 2026, in Las Vegas. We are super excited to once again welcome our clinician Michael Glasgow. He and the committee are currently choosing repertoire and hope to have the list finalized by October. Keep an eye out for that announcement! (Have a favorite piece you’d like us to consider? Send me the title & composer!)
I mentioned Kathie Mackie’s Ancient Echoes above; it was the Area 12 Composition Contest winner for 2008. We are once again offering this competition with a prize of $1500! The deadline for submissions is October 15, 2025, so don’t delay; e-mail entries and inquiries to Marci Nuoffer at pastchair.area12@handbellmusicians.org. More details available here: https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/composition-contest.
We are also still looking for class ideas! If you would like to teach a class, please fill out the Class/Faculty Application form, available here: https://forms.gle/CkzwiyiC5RGTiHXR7
Not a teacher? We also welcome ideas for class topics! Please send ideas to our Chair-Elect Scott McGlasson at chairelect.area12@handbellmusicians.org. We look forward to hearing from you.
Remember, your board is here to serve YOU, so never hesitate to contact us if you need anything handbell-related. We’d love to hear from you!
Have a great September!
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Hello So Cal!
I’ve seen wonderful reviews of the event hosted by South County Community Handbell Choir with their clinician Stevie Berryman. Everyone had a great time, and came away with music ready or nearly ready to start off their season. I know many choirs are kicking off their season in the next week or two, and ringers are getting ready for another season of fun. If you have an event that you’re hosting this year, I encourage you to consider having it endorsed by Handbell Musicians of America. The cost is minimal, and there are several benefits, including free advertising. Please ask me for more information.
Many choirs are already looking forward to their Christmas concert(s), don’t forget to put yours on the Area 12 calendar, and to also look to see what other choirs are doing near you.
As part of the Area 12 conference next summer, we are hosting a composition contest. If you’re a composer, please check out the information in this newsletter. The deadline for submission is coming up soon!
Blessings,
Carol
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Dear LA Metro,
Congrats to Mark Longfield from Van Nuys, CA! His compositionThe Way Back Home was selected as the winner of the Area 10 Bell Tree composition contest. His other compositions are on sale from publishers such as Alfred and From the Top Music.
Save the date for two 2026 handbell youth events in Orange County.
Registration will be available soon!
- Young Ringers Festival (for middle school handbell ensembles): Sat, March 7 2026
- High school handbell invitational: Mon, March 9, 2026
- Summer Handbell Camp: July 6 - 10, 2026
Erik Der
LAMetro.Area12@HandbellMusicians.org
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SOUTHERN NEVADA
Alison Pruett
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Directors Workshop this weekend, September 6!
Harmony Handbells and Faith Lutheran Middle/High School are hosting a handbell directors workshop on September 6. For $25, you get instruction from Barb Walsh (fabulous director of Tintabulations in Reno), lunch, and the opportunity to direct high level ringers to put what you’ve learned into practice and get more feedback. Details and registration are at harmonyhandbells.com/workshop.
I hope to see you there!
Alison Pruett
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Hi CenCal!
I recently returned from Classic Bronze in Calgary, a four-day festival bringing together handbell musicians from across Canada, the US, and beyond. There were three “paths” Accent, Copper, and Bronze. Each was led by its own clinician and culminating in a combined concert. It was an amazing experience. Check out the Area 12 website for our own upcoming events; the biennual conference next June is sure to be a blast!
Many of us are coming back to the tables after a few months away. Fall is a perfect time to do some maintenance and “handbell housekeeping." Wash your gloves (ideally, this should be routine), organize your music files, and update your digital library and inventory. Evaluate all the instruments for any needed replacement parts, like springs or cracked handles, and schedule a heavy-duty polish. I can help provide information on sending your bells in for a full refurbishment, too (or bringing someone in!).
Did you complete the Bingo from the last newsletter? Let me know! I’d also love to hear what repertoire and concerts you and your groups are planning for the season ahead.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Cindy Ksiazek
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Hello, Nor Cal!
Coming October 18, 2025, is the Redding Handbell Festival. It will be held at Redding Christian Fellowship, 2157 Victor Ave., Redding, Ca 96003. You can get more information or register by contacting Nancy Schmitt at schmitt@awwwsome.com or 5302754770.
Is there anyone in the Sacramento area, who would like to host a bell event, a workshop, or a day of just ringing music, please let me know. I am willing to help with the event or answer any questions that you might have. You can reach me at cindyksiazek@yahoo.com
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For information on Northern Nevada concerts, events, and other opportunities,
click here.
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Howdy!
Are you ready for ringing? Our short fall workshop will help you shake off the summer dust and get (or get back) into ringing with tips, tricks, and lots of fun! Geared toward bell newbies and seasoned ringers alike, there’s something for everyone at Bell Jam.
Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10am to 2pm at Sparks United Methodist Church, 1231 Pyramid Way, Sparks, NV 89431.
Register today for free at https://forms.gle/4ESHoVkXDT7DrvBS6.
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FAR NORTHERN LIAISON
Nancy Schmitt
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REDDING HANDBELL FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 18, 2025
9:10 a.m. through the final concert 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Redding Christian Fellowship
2157 Victor Ave. Redding, CA
The Redding Handbell Festival is endorsed by Handbell Musicians of America, dedicated to uniting people through the musical art of handbell and handchime ringing. www.handbellmusicians.org
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REDDING HANDBELL FESTIVAL
We hope you are planning to attend this year's Redding Handbell Festival!
Registration fee: $40.00 per person. Full choirs and individuals are welcome.
Massed Director and Red Zone Director: Matthew Compton
Massed choir selections:
Song of Assurance Arnold Sherman Level 2
Andante Maestoso arr. Kevin McChesney Level 2
I’ve Got Peace Like a River arr. Valerie Stephenson Level 3
Momentary by Matthew Compton Level 3-
Red Zone choir selection: Hallelujah arr. Matthew Compton Level 3+
Classes being offered will let you explore mallets, weaving, bell trees, engaging your audience, MuseScore, and Revving up for the Red Zone Bronze choir.
Class clinicians: Artie Pascual, Julie Hunziker, Lois Nichols, Theresa Benedett, Sam Strasser, and Matthew Compton.
The festival ends with a free concert open to the public.
For registration forms contact me at schmitt@awwwsome.com
I hope to see you there!
Nancy Schmitt
Far Northern California Liaison
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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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