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Message from the Chair - Scott Leggett
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Greetings, All!
I hope you are all enjoying your summer and finding ways to relax and regenerate. As for me, I usually want the summer to last as long as possible before the busy fall begins -- especially for all my handbell activities -- but this year I can't wait for the fall and to get back to my choirs. I'm looking forward to the many offerings of workshops and events already planned!
One area of focus I am committed to this coming season is recruiting ringers for my church choirs, which is an ongoing challenge for many. When we remember that for many people, joining a new group of people in a social situation is very scary and uncomfortable to start with, and then add to that stress of having to be part of musical instrument, we can understand why is hard to recruit ringers. Business leadership author Keith Rollag writes that "our brains have evolved to see most new situations as do-or-die performance tests" which tends to keep people from trying new things. Instead, he argues, we should think of new situations as learning experiences, which translates for me in how to approach potential new ringers to alleviate some of the stress of joining the group.
A major reason why I'm looking forward to getting the fall started is because this fall is filling up with Area 12 events and workshops with all roads leading to Las Vegas for our 2020 conference! Thank you all for what you do for our musical art form, and may you have great learning experiences in new endeavors you may try.
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Red, White, & Bells - Las Vegas 2020
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CONFERENCE PAGE IS LIVE!
PLUS: CALL FOR PERFORMERS
Area 12 Conference in Las Vegas, July 2-5, 2020
Area 12's Red, White, and Bells Conference in Las Vegas is approaching fast -- it's less than a year away -- and the
conference web page is now LIVE! Head on over and check out all the information, including repertoire, schedule, clinicians' biographies, etc. Registration opens in November, so watch this space for that announcement. This is an event you won't want to miss!
And, those of you looking for an extra evening in Vegas and extra time ringing handbells, be sure to audition for the
Fireworks Carillon Conference Choir directed by P.L. Grove. Participation in the conference choir allows intermediate and advanced ringers the opportunity to play more difficult music culminating in a showcase concert on Friday at lunchtime. Head on over to the
2020 conference page on the Area 12 website for repertoire and audition materials.
Are there any handbell ensembles out there looking for performance opportunities? Small ensembles? Soloists? We are looking for groups or individuals who would like to perform a concert at the Red, White, and Bells conference. Please send Performance Coordinator
Marquise Usher an email indicating your interest and in the meantime, check out the
2020 conference page for audition criteria.
We are looking forward to all these wonderful opportunities to hear your music!
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Northern Nevada - Barb Walsh
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Bell Jam & Waffles
Saturday, September 7
South Reno United Methodist Church
200 De Spain Ln, Reno, NV 89511
10:00am - 3:00pm
hosted by Tintabulations
Start your handbell season off right! Join Tintab for a workshop and brunch social. Are you a musician who's curious what this handbell thing is all about? A "bell-a-holic" who just can't wait to come back from summer break? This short workshop offers plenty of hands-on experience and refreshers in ringing how-tos as well as a chance to read through some exciting bell music. Come for the whole day, or just drop in for a session. Morning session starts at 10:00 AM,
afternoon session starts at 1:00 PM.
Additional information and registration forms available
HERE
, or email us if you have any questions.
This event is endorsed by Handbell Musicians of America.
For information on Northern Nevada's concerts, events,
and other opportunities,
click here.
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Los Angeles Metro - Sharon Guilliams
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Hello, LA Metro!
August is here - oh boy, planning, planning, planning. Who will be coming back? What new ringers will be joining us? When do I need to get our flyers to the local senior homes so they can get our concerts on their calendars? How long will it take to get the music in my hands? It is sometimes a daunting task but usually the most fun. To dream, what can we do this year?
Fall events are in the execution phase, Spring 2020 events are in the finalization stages, Fall 2020 events are taking shape, and the 2021 Spring events are in the dreaming phase.
But first, a quick look back! The
Ring, Read, and Rejoice event in June was a hit. New friendships were formed and we all had a good time. One director was even able to do his entire Fall/Christmas music buying at the event! Betty Price amazed us with her chime ringing, all from memory. (I guess this means I have no excuses for not being able to memorize eight bars of a piece when she has 30+ songs memorized!) Most likely this event will be repeated in late Spring 2021.
Looking to the future: the
LA Metro Spring Ring is planned for Friday and Saturday March 20 & 21, 2020, at Red Hill Lutheran Church in Tustin, CA. It will be a unique opportunity in that the Area 12 board meeting will also be meeting at Red Hill Lutheran on the same dates. We are planning opportunities for you to meet the board and talk to them, as well as allow time for them to ring with you. Please put it on your calendar and consider attending. The plan is to include three or four pieces from the
2020 Las Vegas Conference repertoire as well as additional pieces. Details should be coming out in September.
This fall, LA Metro has two HMA-endorsed events:
Bell Jubilee is on Saturday, September 14 in lovely Dana Point, CA. The cost is $20 per person or $100 per choir. At this event, you can wake up those ringing muscles while learning a beautiful piece,
Grace All Sufficient by Sondra Tucker. This just happens to be on the repertoire for Vegas. There is no music to buy or preparation needed. Information and registration forms are available
HERE. A side note: late last fall when I first ran across
Grace All Sufficient, I had no idea that it was under consideration for the Vegas repertoire, but then lo and behold it was picked, so all things work together for good! (It is also on the LA Metro 2020 Spring Ring repertoire list.)
In October, the artists of Timbré will put on the
Pasadena Fall Fun Ring, Friday and Saturday, October 18 & 19 at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. The event will include classes and massed ringing. More information can be found
HERE.
There are other non-HMA-sponsored or -endorsed events happening in our region, so be sure to check out the
LA Metro calendar!
So you may be thinking, it would be fun to go to a fall event, but do I have time? What do I do with the kids? Etc. So I will leave you with:
The Top 10 Reasons to Attend a Fall Event
10) Advanced Ringers: Pay It Forward by modeling good musicianship and technique to inspire those around you
9) Directors: You can always learn something from watching another director, including insights on how to prepare a piece and/or how a particular piece can be performed
8) Newer Ringers: Come and find friends you never knew you had and that will be your friends for life
7a) You can learn one of the LA Metro 2020 Spring Ring/2020 Vegas pieces early!
7b) Your choir could have a piece ready by the end of September to offer your congregation and recruit new members!
6) Ring alongside and learn from local advanced handbell musicians
5) Ringers: Wake up that ringing muscle memory that was in-shape at the end of last year
4) Directors: You may learn something new being on the ringing side of the table
3) Directors: You may find some subs for your choir
2) Reconnect with old friends that have the same passion for ringing handbells
1) There is just something amazing about the sound and the precision that can be achieved in a massed ring setting! This inspiration will carry you through Christmas.
Sharon Guilliams
For information on LA Metro's concerts, events,
and other opportunities,
click here.
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Northern California - Sandi Walker-Tansley
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You won't want to miss this fall festival!
Redding Handbell Festival
Saturday, October 5, 2019
CrossPointe Community Church
2960 Hartnell Ave, Redding, CA 96002
Guest conductor: Barbara Meinke
Red Zone conductor: Barb Walsh
Kick start your ringing season with the Redding Handbell Festival! There will be massed ringing of four pieces, plus classes (including weaving, basic ringing, bell trees (leave with music in hand), Salvation Army ringing (leave with music in hand), bell maintenance, history of handbells, and bass bell techniques). The Revving Up for the Red Zone Bronze Choir two session class will be excellent for those ringers who want the challenge but don't know how to begin to prepare for a bronze choir. Barb Walsh and her Tintabulations ringers will lead this class with plenty of hands-on help. The culmination of the day there will be a concert open to the public which will feature the massed choir plus solos, duets, and quartets. Please contact
Nancy Schmitt if you have any questions.
Registration fee: $35.00 per ringer
Additional info and registration form can be downloaded
here.
This event is endorsed by Handbell Musicians of America.
For information on Northern California's concerts, events, and other opportunities,
click here.
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Southern Nevada - Alison Pruett
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Intro to Massed Ringing
Saturday, October 14
Grace Presbyterian Church
1515 W. Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas NV
9:00am - 4:00pm
hosted by Harmony Handbells
This event is a low-pressure day to try to break out of your comfort zone and experience massed ringing with lower difficulty level music as well as classes taught by members of Harmony Handbells. Classes will focus on basic techniques, weaving, finding the melody, intro to bell trees, and more.We hope to see you there!
Registration fee: $5 per ringer
Additional information and registration forms available
HERE
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This event is endorsed by Handbell Musicians of America.
Alison Pruett
For information on Southern Nevada's concerts, events,
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Aloha!
I hope your summer is going well.
Going into the summer I had no plans for handbells, but that did not last long! I went to a Methodist Family Camp in California to renew, relax, and have great fun. Well, just like last year, I ended up teaching handchimes to kids and adults. It was totally impromptu but is leading to a daily class next year.
Then, while I was in San Jose, California, I had the privilege of helping out Los Altos Methodist church with their rehearsal and techniques. It has been awhile since they had a director and needed a little direction. We had fun, laughed, and made music.
Living in Hawaii makes it hard for me to attend many conventions as it is expensive to travel that far. We are fortunate that Handbell Musicians of America offered live streaming of the National Seminar concerts in St. Louis. We were able to watch all of them from our home or on the phone! They were inspiring and even though I feel bummed I could not go, I was able to participate and watch these amazing groups perform.
Save the date!
Saturday November 9, 2019, 8:00-3:00
We are welcoming Ellie Hodder to our Aloha Ring this Year!
More details to come.
For information on Hawaii's concerts, events,
and other opportunities,
click here.
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Central California - Christine Anderson
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Greetings, Central California!
Did you feel the earthquakes? They added a bit of excitement to the summer, right? We had Camp Grandma in session -- I had just told our granddaughter about quakes, and said it would be fun if she could experience one. Ha! I was actually practicing my bells for a concert when the first one hit. Gave new meaning to "shake your bells"!
Your board members are trying to contact all our members by phone before our next meeting in September. Please, please talk to us! Maybe you don't answer because you don't recognize the area code or the person calling you? I know I'm cautious about phone calls, but you can trust us. If we leave a message, would you be gracious and return the call? It's hard to get hold of people in the summer, but we're all hoping to be able to connect to our membership and see how we can be an encouragement.
Hope I can talk with y'all before September, and have a wonderful, relaxing rest of the summer.
For information on Central California's concerts, events,
and other opportunities,
click here.
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Southern California - Michèle Sharik
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Hi there, SoCal!
I just got back from an exhausting yet exhilarating 16-day road trip tour with Timbré to and from National Seminar in St. Louis. We were honored to perform there for our peers, as well as at 11 other venues on the way there and back. We met so many wonderful people who opened their hearts and homes to us, proving once again that handbell people are the very BEST!
There are lots of fall events happening all around Area 12, so I hope you will attend one or more of them. Check out the calendar
HERE.
In the meantime, please keep me in the loop about when you are playing this fall -- whether it be concerts, workshops, or even church services, I want to know about it!
For information on Southern California's concerts, events,
and other opportunities,
click here.
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San Francisco Bay Area - Marquise Usher
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Marquise Usher
For information on San Francisco Bay Area's concerts,
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