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I hope everyone enjoyed this past weekend celebrating July 4th and our ability, at least here in California, to be able to hug family and friends without masks (as long as they are vaccinated). For some of us in Area 12, we are spending this week and upcoming weekend preparing to attend National Seminar in Glendale (Phoenix), AZ. 

There are a lot of reasons folks attend Seminar: keep our ringing techniques sharp by attending classes; hear the best of the best soloists and handbell ensembles; ring and ring some more; and then there is hanging out with the friends from far and near that share our mutual passion as well as the new friends we make.

This year at Seminar, Area 12 is represented in the clinician/instructor ranks with five individuals, and three of the concerts include soloists/ensembles from Area 12. If you are not attending Seminar in person, you can catch the livestream of the concerts, and in the case of the handbell ensembles, you can catch them locally live, before and after Seminar. Those events are listed on our Calendar of Events. We are truly blessed to have such talent to draw on in our area. 

Your Board is committed to honing our craft; two-thirds (2/3) of the Board (14) will be at Seminar learning and sharing! Additionally, I am sure many other Area 12 members will be there. Please think good thoughts for those in attendance as they travel to and from the event. Even though you may not be in attendance, I know you will benefit from those who did attend as they share what they learned at National Seminar.

For those attending the event in person, Area 12 will have a table in the Handbell Commons. The table will celebrate what we do here in Area 12 and highlight our upcoming events, including our 2022 Area Conference in Las Vegas, Red, White, and Bells. Please do stop by and say hello and if you are from Area 12, make sure to ask for your mystery present. (Don’t worry, the mystery presents will be made available to everyone who attends Vegas 2022.)

If you are feeling down that you can’t attend Seminar this year, come join Area 12 in Vegas for Red, White, and Bells over the 2022 Fourth of July weekend. There, you can learn from many fine instructors, including some who have taught at National Seminar over the years. Plus, you’ll have the same opportunities to hone your skills, ring (and ring some more), catch up with old friends, and make new friends—all with the Area 12 flare for fun!

Sharon Guilliams

Vegas 2022 Registrar

Unfortunately, we will not be offering the certification classes as previously planned. The certification program is being retooled and refined, so look for announcements coming from the National office on that in the coming year.  Those of you who wanted to take certification classes, now have that time free to apply to be in the Conference Choir - no more conflict!  

Division A

Stevie Berryman

Jubilee - Arnold Sherman, Choristers Guild, CGB472 or CGB473, 2-5 oct., Level 1+

Joy and Delight - Brenda Austin, Choristers Guild, CGB983 or CGB984,         2-5 oct., Level 1+

Division B

Stevie Berryman

Grace All-Sufficient - Sondra Tucker, Casa Publications, HB034, 3-6 oct.,  Level 2

Recollection - Tim Waugh, Choristers Guild, CGB974, 3-5 oct., Level 2+



This Little Light of Mine - Ben Tucker, Alfred, 47797, 3-5 oct., Level 3

Division C

Barbara Walsh

America the Beautiful - Arnold Sherman, Red River Music, HB0002, 3-6 oct., Level 3

Soliloquy for Bells - Karen Buckwalter, Harold Flammer Music, HP5175, 3-5 oct., Rating “Easy Medium”

The Glad Sound Blues - Michael Mazzatenta, From the Top, 20383, 5-6 oct., Level 4+

Division A

My Spirit’s Gonna Shine - Dan Edwards, Composers Music Co., CP7044, 3 or 5 oct., Level 2-

Peace - Joshua Kramer, AGEHR, AG35339, 3-5 oct., Level 2

Division B

Firework - Michael Glasgow, Agape, 2654, 3-7 oct., Level 3+

Meditation (A Lenten Piece) - Larry Sue, Choraegus, 2-5 oct., Level 2

Massed Ringing

An American Medley - Anna Laura Page, Alfred, 20043, 3-5 oct., Level 2

I’m Just a Poor Wayfaring Stranger - Tammy Waldrop, Agape, 2343, 3-5 oct. Level 2-

Come be a part of this excellent ensemble! Under the direction of P.L., this group will rehearse just ahead of the main conference and then present a concert on the first day of the conference.

Purchase this music only if you are accepted to play with the Conference Choir.

Beautiful Dreamer - Russell Brett, RpB Music, RU0008, 3 oct., Level 5

Commemoration of the Spirit - William Payn, AGEHR, AG5031J, 5 oct., Level 5

It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) - Hart Morris, From the Top, 20424-HB, 5-6 oct., Level 5

Semper Fidelis - Carol Lynn Mizell, Choristers Guild, CGB663, 5-7 oct., Level 5

Ole’ Dan Tucker Hoedown - Brian Childers, From the Top, 20567, 5 oct.,    Level 4+

Dizzy Fingers - Patricia Hurlbutt, From the Top, 20498, 5-6 oct., Level 4

This Land is Your Land - Paul McKlveen, Jeffers, JHS9358, 3-6 oct., Level 2+

For more information please visit the Conference Website at https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/2022-conference/

This event is sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America, dedicated to uniting people through the musical art of handbell and handchime ringing.

www.handbellmusicians.org