Greetings to all!

For most of us, our handbell ringing experiences have been centered in or evolved from a church setting. Like many of you, I began my church music experience at a very young age singing in the children's choirs, and over the years as I got older, singing and playing in the different church groups provided me sense of belonging and the foundation of many friendships. As an adult, still involved with church music as director and performer, I came to realize that my musical life in the church wasn't just for my personal joy, but was an important spiritual leadership role creating musical spaces that are an integral part of worship experience; so much more than just performing well-played music.

At a recent event I organized for local Methodist churches called Unity in Ringing, we celebrated the role our bell choirs play in the worship experience, and the strong power of music. We had choirs come together from all over southern California for fellowship, ringing, and a closing worship service. During that worship time, the Rev. Yvonne Williams Boyd spoke on the healing power of music and the special roles we as church musicians have in making sacred musical spaces for that healing and spiritual connection. No matter where we ring, in sacred or secular spaces, music is a universal language that communicates directly to our souls.

On another note, please do check the event calendar for upcoming events in your regions and look for our Vegas 2020 conference registration announcement soon to reserve your place at our conference, which is going to be a great event.

'Til next time,
Scott

Getting Ready: The Road to Vegas 2020

The third article in a series about attending the Area 12 Ringer's Conference.

Area 12 Conference in Las Vegas, July 2-5, 2020

While you are waiting for registration to open, you can be applying for a scholarship (1st time conference attendees), applying for Conference Choir, and/or applying for you or your group to perform at the conference.

Key Conference Dates:

• February 15, 2020 -- Scholarship Applications Due
• March 13, 2020 -- Conference Choir Applications Due
• March 20, 2020 -- Conference Choir Acceptance Notification
• April 6, 2020 -- $25 Early Bird Discount Ends/Regular Registration Costs Apply
• May 15, 2020 -- $50 Late Registration Fee Applies

Be on the Lookout for
Stolen Bells!

Four and a half octaves of Schulmerich handbells in Port-a-Bell cases were stolen from Los Altos United Methodist Church (5950 E. Willow Street in Long Beach), sometime between 4:00 am and 7:00 am on Wednesday, October 30. 

The bells were stolen from a locked closet inside the church. Security camera footage shows the thieves used a Uhaul truck to transport the stolen property. All indications are that the thieves had intimate knowledge of the security guard's schedule (a single guard is shared by four local churches) as well as the church's floor plan. The thieves even took the time to eat some Corn Flakes in the church kitchen!

The Port-a-Bell cases all have luggage tags with LAUMC's name and address, and the bell handles all have LAUMC labels inside them. The handles themselves are a mix of old and new, but the hand guards and clappers are all new. Only the C3, C#3, and D3 bells were left behind.

Fortunately, the bells were insured, but the thieves did a great deal of damage to the church property in their effort to get into the bell closet, plus ransacking of other areas.

Please be on the lookout for anybody trying to pawn handbells or selling them for scrap.

If you have any information, please contact Debbie Shaw at 562-423-1040 or the LAUMC church office at 562-598-2451.

Thank you for your help!

 

This month:
Saturday, Nov 9, 2019
8:30 am - 2:45 am
Aloha Ring
Clinician: Ellie Hodder

Aiea United Methodist Church
99-101 Laulima Street
Aiea, HI 96701

Additional information and registration form can be downloaded here.

This event is sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America.

Aloha!

We have been fortunate over the last eight years to have some highly-qualified clinicians come to Hawaii. Many of us here in Hawaii don't get the opportunity to attend events on the mainland due to high travel costs, so I have made a point to bring some of the best here. We have had great learning experiences from each of them.

Past clinicians have included:


• Timothy Waugh (2 years)
• Barbara Meinke (2 years)
• Barb Walsh
• Michael Glasgow
• Tessique Houston
• Tammy Waldrop
• and this year: Ellie Hodder from Portland, Oregon!

I am hoping that you will take the opportunity to experience the latest in our string of amazing clinicians. Ellie brings a lot of experience and fun!

Mahalo,
Karen Carlisle
hi.area12@handbellmusicians.org

For information on Hawaii's concerts, events,
and other opportunities, click here.

This month:

Saturday, Nov 9, 2019
Workshop and Concert with Timbré

Camarillo United Methodist Church
291 Anacapa Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010

1:00 pm workshop

6:30 pm concert

Additional information and registration form can be downloaded here.

This event is endorsed by Handbell Musicians of America.

Save the date:
Fri, March 20 & Sat, March 21, 2020
LA Metro Spring Ring
Ringin' at Red Hill

Clinicians: Matthew Compton and Erik Der
Red Hill Lutheran Church
13200 Red Hill Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780

Featuring:

• Opportunity to meet and share your ideas and wishes with the Area 12 Board
• Ring select repertoire from the Vegas 2020 conference Red, White, & Bells
• Optional Friday night ringing and barbecue
• Choirs, ensembles, and individuals welcome!
• Opportunity to share a piece at the end of the Spring Ring

Sign up early and invite your friends!

Additional information and registration form can be downloaded here.

This event is sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America.

Greetings,

By now we are all in the throes of preparing for the "holidays." While it can be exhilarating, it can also be stressful. So remember to breathe and don't be afraid to reach out for help. November represents my one-year anniversary as the LA Metro Regional Coordinator. I have enjoyed working on your behalf, helping folks, and meeting new friends.

Please consider adding your holiday events to the Area 12 Calendar. You would be amazed: handbell enthusiasts from out of town like to go to other people's events. It is easy to add your event and if you need help, feel free to shoot me an email.

Sincerely,
Sharon Guilliams
lametro.area12@handbellmusicians.org

For information on LA Metro's concerts, events,
and other opportunities, click here.

Sat, March 14, 2020
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Area 12 Directors Workshop

Clinicians: Tessique Houston & Barbara Walsh
Walnut Creek United Methodist Church
1543 Sunnyvale Avenue
Walnut Creek, CA 94597

Come join us for our Director's Workshop in March. This workshop is for anyone! Yes, anyone!  Participants will receive instruction in the mechanics of conducting, score study, musical interpretation, and rehearsal techniques.  Participants are expected to prepare in advance of the event by practicing conducting and doing score study. We will send further instructions on preparation to those who register. 

If you have any questions, please contact Tessique Houston at pastchair.area12@handbellmusicians.org

Additional information and registration form can be downloaded here.

This event is sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America.

Hello, Bay Area!

During the summer months I try to play a solo or two at the churches where I direct handbells. This summer, I got the chance to play two duets. Pretty challenging, too! I direct so much more than I play these days that sometimes I forget how great it feels to play handbells. It really brought me back to where it all began.

I really loved that I got to play for my ringers as well. They play for me for weeks on end, and I challenge them in countless ways. But I don't always get to show them what I mean. Being able to teach my ringers in a situation where they didn't know they were learning was great and very successful.

So my director friends, let's see what you've got! Team up with one of your ringers for a duet or double down with a solo. Show your handbell musicians what you mean -- and what you've got. Your congregation will love it, too!

Your Regional Coordinator,

Marquise Usher

bayarea.area12@handbellmusicians.org

For information on San Francisco Bay Area's concerts,
events, and other opportunities, click here.

Clinician: Douglas Lynn

 

Repertoire:

• Processional on 'Deo Gratias' by Douglas Lynn (Unpublished, available soon!) 
• *Jubilee by Arnold Sherman (Choristers Guild, CGB472 2-3 oct handbells, or CGB473 3-5 oct handbells, Level 1+) 
• *Grace All-Sufficient by Sondra Tucker (Casa Publications, HB034 3-6 oct handbells, Level 2) 
• *Soliloquy for Bells by Karen Buckwalter (Harold Flammer, HP5175 3-5 oct handbells, "Easy/Medium" (probably Level 2+) 
• *Fervent Freedom by Michael Mazzatenta (Area 12 Composition Contest Winner! Pending publication by AGEHR, available soon! 3-5 oct handbells, Level 3)

* from the Vegas 2020  Red, White, & Bells repertoire !

This event is sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America.

Greetings, CenCal

What's happening in your neck of the woods? Are y'all gearing up for Christmas? Please check the Area 12 Calendar for any events you might be interested in attending or participating in. 

 
I'm not as busy as in previous years, and available to help out with handbell needs or advice. Just shoot me an email! 

 
Enjoy the autumn weather and all your planning for the next few months.

With a Joyful Ring,
Christine Anderson
cencal.area12@handbellmusicians.org

Howdy!

I'm sure you're probably all up to your elbows in Christmas music right now, but fellow Tintabber Genevieve Parker and I wanted to share our thoughts with you over the next few months about planning ahead to attend handbell events next spring/summer, especially if you're going by yourself.

And going back to Christmas -- please make sure to let me know if you're having a concert so that we can all attend and support each other! 

 

Have you ever wanted to attend a bell event, but no else in your group could go? Don't let that stop you! Individual ringers are almost always welcome. In this article, we'll give you some ideas of how you can go it alone.

After you identify which event you'd like to attend, thoroughly read through the information. If you have any questions, be sure to email or call the contact person. They will be more than happy to answer your questions and help you along the way. 

One of the most important things to check first is to find out if you need to bring your own bells and chimes or if they'll be provided for you. Often individual ringers will fill in with another group, so your bell assignments will be determined by that. If you have limitations as to where you can be assigned, make sure to discuss that with the event organizer. Also ask if you need to bring your own mallets and singing stick for that position. If your home group doesn't have them, then check to see if you can borrow them from your host group. You will more than likely need to provide your own split back music folder. You will need to buy your own real music (not photocopies), prepare/practice it ahead of time and bring it to the event.

How do you practice it alone ahead of time? We'll discuss that in next month's article. Stay tuned!

Barbara Walsh

nv.area12@handbellmusicians.org

Nancy Schmitt, Area 12's Far Northern California Liaison, tells us about the 12th Annual Redding Handbell Festival, held October 5th:

The opening bell was rung using a 36-inch cast bell manufactured in 1894 and weighing 1,000 pounds! It was brought to the festival by Neil Gertner of Montana. It was also used to close the festival and was rung throughout the day by anyone who wanted to give it a try which was no easy task!! [ See the pic below of Nancy ringing that big bell! -Ed.]

Barbara Meinke directed the four massed numbers for the 105 ringers in attendance who represented ten full or partial bell choirs. All of the classes were a huge hit, including the new class this year, "Revving Up for the Red Zone," which was designed for ringers who wanted the challenge of playing a difficult song for a bronze choir but weren't quite sure how to prepare for it. The class was led by Barbara Walsh and her Tintabulations ringers.

To culminate the festival 116 people came to enjoy a concert of massed ringing, duets, solos, a quartet, and two solo bell choirs. What a great way to kick off the fall bell season! 

 

Hey Vegas folks -- 


Keep your eye on the Conference block above for details on the upcoming Vegas 2020 event!