Twelfth Tone Enewsletter 03-01-10

Greetings!
Just 109 days until 2010: A New Handbell Odyssey!! In this issue you will find the Showcase Concert Announcement for the conference, more details about each track offered, and information about the Silent Auction. In addition you'll find Spring Ring Updates and new calendar additions. Please check out all the details and become actively involved in Area XII events.

Carol Smith
Director of Communication

A Message from the Chair

If you're like me, this is the time of year that we start to experience handbell event withdrawal. We're all still ringing away in our church or community groups. But we don't get to see each other and come together to ring. I'm breaking out in a cold sweat just thinking about it!

Thank goodness those who came before me on the Area XII Board saw the need and created the perfect remedy: the SPRING RING. And we have PLENTY of them coming up, so don't miss out on your local opportunity. There will be lots of ringing going on in Area XII prior to the Davis Conference.

Speaking of the Davis Conference, have you signed up yet? (Special note to directors: you NEED to take conducting with Dr. William Payn in his Directors Track. All of you. And me, too.) Even if you missed the early bird deadline, you can still take advantage of the three-track discount if you register before May 1st. There will be new, innovative and exciting things in Davis that will truly make this a New Bell Odyssey.

And check out the latest Web updates highlighted below: more information on the track sessions, a long-awaited announcement on the Saturday night showcase concert, and a reminder about this year's Silent Auction.

Glad I'm not giving up ringing for lent....

P.L. Grove
Area XII Chair

Carol's Reverberations......

Having just returned from a vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii, I'm experiencing withdrawal from "Hawaiian Time"- where everyone moves a little slower and enjoys a sense of peace unlike here on the mainland. The laid back life style is truly infectious and as a result I'm struggling to get back into life in the fast lane. However, with my e-newsletter deadline here, it's time for me to get back in the routine and bring you up to date on all the March happenings in Area XII. Just glancing at the Area XII calendar, March is going to be a busy and exciting month filled with Spring Rings. Over 200 ringers have registered for the Bay Area Spring Ring with Monica McGowan on March 13th. On the same day the LA Metro and Southern CA areas will also be gathering for their Spring Rings with Larry Sue and Donavon Gray respectively. Spring Rings are a great way for ringers to sharpen their skills through classes, meet other ringers, to work under top clinicians so I hope all of you will take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the Spring Ring nearest you.

AreaXII DBW2010

Fourteen Area XII ringers departed Feb. 25 for Bremerton, Washington to participate in the second Distinctly Bronze West under the direction of Jason Wells. Those attending included Larry Sue, Wendy and Susanna Ciaramitaro, Matthew (Aidan) Meinke, Gretchen Rauch, Sunghee Kim, Beth Mays, Michele Sharik, Heather Haworth, Barbara Meinke, Carole Flowler, Shannon Shaw, Julie Vaguilar, and Debbie Shaw. You can look forward to a report by Debbie Shaw on the event next month.

One of the most memorable National conferences I ever attended was Pinnacle 2000. The highlight of that conference was the many outstanding concerts by community choirs across the country. Pinnacle 2010, July 18-21 in Nashville, TN promises to be another fantastic event. As was announced earlier, the four major Showcase Concerts will be presented by Sonos, the Agape Ringers, Vivace, and Raleigh Ringers. In addition to these four concerts, mini concerts will be presented throughout the event featuring a very impressive list of ensembles and soloists. Congratulations to Area XII's Velocity Ensemble who will be featured on Tues. July 20. Other ensembles that will be performing include Texas Handbell Ensemble, Houston Bronze, Music City Bronze, Arkansas State University choir, Forte, Anacrusis Ensemble, Embellish, Circle City Ringers, Westminster Ringers, Twin Cities Bronze, Hands on Bronze, Golden Bells of Atlanta, Vibre, and handbell soloists, heather keith, Mike Lamb, Nancy Hascall, Susan Mifsud, and Sue Garton.

For those of you who are considering going to 2010: A New Handbell Odyssey June 17-20, 2010 at Davis or have already registered and have questions, I suggest you check the new FAQs page on the Area XII website by Clicking Here
If you can't find the answer to your question, please contact Kathy Arnold at registrar@areaxii.org

Happy Ringing!
Carol

AREA XII HAPPENINGS

Registration for 2010 New Handbell Odyssey

ON LINE REGISTRATION is NOW AVAILABLE on the Area XII website for 2010: A New Handbell Odyssey! Register now to assure a space in the tracks of your choice. Just click on the 2010 logo on the left for the link to registration. The Early Bird discount ended Feb. 15, 2010, however you can still get a $20 discount if you take all three tracks.

Opus and Christine Anderson Featured at Davis Conference

The search is officially over. Opus Handbell Ensemble has been selected as this year's featured group for the Saturday night Showcase concert in Davis.

Arguably right smack in the middle of Area XII, this Modesto, California group is spearheading the art of handbell ringing in the Central Valley. They have continued to move their artistry forward through feature performances at events, tours, and numerous performances on local concert series and with the local symphony.

Under the direction of Richard J. Colla, this 13-member group performs on five octaves of Malmark handbells and four octaves of Suzuki tone chimes, with an occasional Whitechapel bell thrown in for good measure. Their varied repertoire ranges from Bach to heavy metal rock n' roll.

You'll want to make sure you have a "ring" side seat (yes, pun intended) as Opus works its "breathtaking magic through bronze."

Also featured at the event will be inspirational and amazing soloist Christine Anderson. Christine has thrilled audiences around the world with the finesse, grace and dexterity of her solo handbell artistry.

Her music, however, is simply a tool for her tremendous witness for Christ and her deep love for the Lord. And Christine will share that love with conference attendees at a special worship service on Sunday morning.

Be a part of the weekend's worship experience featuring bells and Christine's amazing ministry.

Update on Odyssey Tracks

2010 Handbell Odyssey offers unique day long Tracks with outstanding clinicians. Friday's Tracks include Church Music with Deborah Rice, Performance with Dr. William Payn, and All-Ring with Michael Glasgow. Saturday: Directors with Dr. William Payn, Basics with Michele Sharik, Tools of the Trade with Michael Glasgow, and All- Ring with Deborah Rice. Sunday: the Mass- Attack. The schedule for these track sessions along with details of topics covered in each track are now available on the Area XII Web site by Clicking Here. Check back periodically, as the Web site will be updated with the latest information each month.

Silent Auction

Once again Area XII will hold its silent auction, and this year funds will benefit the handbell/handchime loan program.

Last month we reported that the Marching Handbell Choir will give its final performance at the closing concert in Davis. So then what happens to all those bells? The group is generously donating them to Area XII for its handbell/handchime loan program. We're getting ever more applications to borrow bells, so the donation comes at the perfect time.

However, there are bells missing. The Marching Handbell Choir typically plays songs without many (if any) key changes, so it doesn't need a full set for its repertoire. Nearly 20 bells are needed to make up two full sets of handbells - one Schulmerich and one Malmark - to loan for use in school music programs within Area XII.

This year, Norma Rose will once again spearhead the Silent Auction, and your donations are needed to complete these bell sets! Don't wait until June, or even May to locate something special to donate. Donation forms can be downloaded from the Area XII Web site and should be mailed to Norma as soon as possible.

To find out more about the Silent Auction, click here.

Nominations Open for 2010 Area XII Election

The nominating committee is now taking nominations for persons to be considered as candidates for AGEHR Area XII Chair-Elect, Treasurer and Secretary. Elections will be held by ballot in 2010, and two nominees will be selected as candidates for each office.

SUBMITTING NOMINATIONS: Those wishing to submit a name (including your own) into nomination should:

contact the person to ensure his/her willingness to serve
provide a letter of qualifications from the potential candidate

Nominations must be accompanied by a statement/letter of qualifications by the potential candidate. This statement may be used for the candidate's ballot profile. Letters may be submitted via pdf or via regular US mail to the chair of the nominating committee.

POTENTIAL CANDIDATES: The Area XII Board is a diversified and inclusive group of individuals who share an interest in our instrument, but without gender or ethnic restrictions. To continue this focus for future Boards, the Nominating Committee will concentrate on candidates with one or more of the following qualifications:

Historic experience with AGEHR
Music and handbell experience as a director, ringer, music educator, church musician, or involvement with community or special needs handbell choirs
Business experience in finance, accounting, policy governance, marketing, law, human resources, or fundraising
Strategic planning with not-for-profit organizations

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CANDIDATES:

Current AGEHR membership
Good communication skills
Ability to attend 2 or 3 meetings per year, each meeting lasting 2 days
Time, willingness and demonstrated ability to do the job

NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHAIR: William Kyle,
pastchair@areaxii.org

Area XII Welcomes 6 New Members to AGEHR

January

Please welcome the following new members to AGEHR Area XII.

William G. Ludtke, Oakland, CA
Wendy Mack, Pine Mountain, CA
                                  Amy Mack, Pine Mountain, CA
                                  April McNeely, Castro Valley, CA
                                  Jean Raby, San Jose, CA
                                  Jean H. Throckmorton, Ridgecrest, CA
                                  Opus Handbell Ensemble, Modesto, CA

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2010 Siskiyou Summit Handbell Conference-April 30-May1

"Rhythm and Movement" is the theme of the annual Siskiyou Summit Handbell Conference, April 30-May1, 2010 in Ashland, OR. Guest conductor is Tim Waugh, who is well known for his work in musicality and rhythmic acuity. Once again Nancy Hascall will offer the opportunity for advanced ringers to participate in a Bronze Conference Choir. Participation in this choir is by application and space is limited. Four outstanding Area XII clinicians, including Michele Sharik, Larry Sue, P.L. Grove, and Rima Greer along with Nancy Hascall, and Brian Parrott from OR will lead classes on basics, solo/ensemble ringing, chimes, alternative assigning, 4-H, memorization, and tips and tricks for handbell directors.

Registration is $60 per person. For registration information and repertoire list contact Diane Barnes, Conference Coordinator at dkbarnes@jeffnet.org

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Soundwave to Tour Area XII

Soundwave, an auditioned Idaho high school handbell choir from Gem State Academy, under the direction of Ben Purvis, will be touring southern CA and NV from March 12 - 16, 2010.

Soundwave radiates energy, enthusiasm, and talent as exhibited by thirteen high school students working harmoniously to create glorious music with five octaves of English Handbells and three octaves of handchimes.

Their program contains a variety of music from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century periods as well as pop and Broadway tunes. They have performed for civic groups like Rotary and Lion's Club, as well as for churches and schools touring extensively throughout the Pacific Northwest as well as a 2005 tour to Canada and an invitation only 2007 appearance at Walt Disney World in Florida. They have been featured on the Channel 7 morning show- the southern Idaho NBC affiliate station as well as the Channel 7 "Idaho Family Christmas Special. They provide a musical performance you don't want to miss. Their concert venues are as follows:

Friday March 12, 7:00 p.m.
San Luis Obispo UMC
1515 Fredericks St.
San Luis Obispo, CA

Saturday March 13, 11:00 a.m.
Ventura SDA Church
6300 Telephone Rd.
Ventura, CA
805-642-5387

Sunday March 14
Crystal Cathedral Service

Disneyland 2:30 p.m.
Carnation Plaza Gardens Stage

Tuesday, March 15
McFadden Intermediate School
2701 S. Raitt St.
Santa Ana, CA
714-435-3700

Wednesday, March 16
Las Vegas Jr. Academy
Las Vegas, NV

AREA EVENTS

NorCal - Nancy Schmitt, Regional Coordinator

Greetings from the North State!

We are looking forward to Kathie Fink's concert, "Christmas Treasures Revisited", here in Redding on March 1 at 7:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2315 Placer Street.

I haven't received much news from those of you in the North State except from Mary Balkow. (Thanks, Mary!) I hope your workshop was successful and well attended. Please e-mail me if you are planning a concert, workshop, or a special event so I can include it in my letter. Otherwise most of what you get will be about the groups here in Redding. So on a personal note, my bell choir is proving they are not afraid of the M word by playing a song by memory at church on the first Sunday of March. We will stand in a formation of a cross at the beginning of the service and play "Amazing Grace" and then a violinist will play one verse of the same song as we file back to our bell tables.

One thing we like to do at our Easter Sunday service is change ringing outdoors so as people get out of their cars they hear the lovely sound of bells. If you are looking for a fall ring the third annual Redding Handbell Festival will be held October 23, 2010 so mark your calendars now. Larry Sue will be the guest conductor and clinicians will be Larry Sue, P.L. Grove, Barbara Brocker, Barb Walsh, and Lois Nichols. There will be a pre-festival workshop for this event on September 11, 2010 to get a head start on the festival music. We have also added an advanced ring which will be held the evening of Oct. 22 from 6-9 p.m.

Hope to hear from many of you about your bell choir's events. Until next month, Happy Ringing!

Ringcerely,
Nancy

Bay Area- Beckie Wiley, Regional Coordinator

Happy Spring to ringers in the SF Bay Area!

If you have never heard or seen the Low Ding Zone (LDZ) in concert, you must experience this unique ensemble! Established in 2006, the LDZ is the world's bass-only handbell ensemble. Their motto is "No girly bells allowed."

Following their concert tour in SoCal, the LDZ will perform "A CONCERT OF CLASSICS" on Saturday March 27, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 14103 Saratoga Ave, in Saratoga, CA 95070.

"Bear in mind that the title, as always, has been left open to our Low Ding Zone 2

brand of interpretation!" warns Larry Sue, the conceptual founder and Artistic Figurehead for LDZ. Larry also composes and arranges much of the LDZ repertoire.

Another concert you won't want to miss features Michele Sharik, handbell soloist, on April 17, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Bede's Episcopal Church, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA. Michele, in "The Golden Dance" brings her passion and talent for bell ringing with a unique style that combines tradition with innovation. She will present a selection of favorite musical miniatures in a variety of styles, weaving together a tapestry of music and story that will take the listener on a journey from Renaissance England to the Golden Gate, and all points in between.

Hope to see many of you at the Spring Ring in Cupertino on March 13 and at the Low Ding Concert on March 27!!!

Beckie

Bay Area Spring Ring & Intense Ring
Just two weeks away!
March 12 & 13, 2010
Valley Church- Cupertino, CA
Monica McGowan, Clinician
Contact: daveruder@comcast.net

Still time.. to get those registrations into Carol Smith. See website for more information. Click Here

Intense Ringers... can register, use their own music or order music to pick up at the event. Register now as we are completing assignments in the next few days.

Spring Ringers.. if you are starting now, you can attend classes (and there are great teachers and workshops!) perhaps ring one piece if you rush order the music. This should be prepared in advance, not at the event. There are great classes for all, directors, advanced and beginning ringers. While registration at the door is okay, it costs less to register in advance and it helps us with some of the preparations (music, table space, food, etc.)

Concerts...The Intense Ringes will ring two pieces, six ensembles will ring solos, Ruben Mendoza will give a special concert, and the final concert at 6:30 p.m. also includes the massed ringers as well.

Directors/Composers Exchange.. we have set aside several tables for composers to display and sell their music; recording artists to sell CD's, for directors to bring extra music to exchange.

Publicity for activities... various groups should feel free to bring brochures, concert notices, etc. for distribution.

Socializing.. what better time then to socialize during the breaks. Bring some munchies for the food tables to share. We will be providing some drinks- sodas, water, etc. Brown bag lunch and eat on the benches or go nearby to any of the many fast food places one block from the church. But, be sure and be back for Ruben's concert! BTW, socializing

Click here for the list of repertoire, clinician bios, and registration forms .

or go to the following website.
http;//www.choraegus.com/handbells/2010SpringRing

Bay Area School Handbell Festival

April 15, 2010
All Saints Catholic School
Hayward, CA

Dave Ruder, Mass Conductor
Steven J. Meyer, Host
For more information contact: dianruder@comcast.net

Upcoming Concerts: Click Here

CenCal - Shirley Werner, Regional Coordinator

'Top of the Mornin" to all and a Happy St Patrick's Day! What else is happening in the month of March.....

First off, I told you all last month that my bell choir was ringing in our first wedding and I just have to share with you that it was absolutely 'awesome'!! To our first selection, the acolytes lit the candles; to our second selection was the seating of the grandparents & parents; to our third selection was for the bridesmaids & matron of honor and our last selection was for the ring bearers, flower girls & the bride. My choir aced every piece of music and awesome is the only other word that comes to mind. I am so proud of my ringers. To many of the guests, this was the first time they had heard bells rung in a wedding; to others they said it gave them goosebumps, they thought it was quite special.

A special announcement: SOUNDWAVE IS COMING! Friday, March 12th, 7:00 P.M. at the San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church.

Don't miss this opportunity to see and hear SOUNDWAVE!, an energetic high school handbell choir from Gem State Academy, in Caldwell, Idaho. Gem State has had a long tradition of musical excellence and the handbell program is nearing its 30th year. For the past nine years, under the direction of Ben Purvis, SOUNDWAVE! has risen to new heights and now plays the most advanced music with clarity, feeling and completely by memory.

SOUNDWAVE! plays a variety of music. You will hear arrangements of the great hymns of the church, pop tunes, classical transcriptions as well as original handbell music. The group has played everything from "The William Tell Overture" to "The Pink Panther" and from Bach's beautiful " Siciliana" to Gliere's "Russian Sailors Dance".

There is no admission charge to hear this exceptional concert. However, a free-will offering will be taken and there will be an opportunity to purchase SOUNDWAVE! CDs.

The Central Coast Reading Session was successful. We ended up with 27 ringers and, in spite of the weather, the ringers enjoyed coming together for a morning of sight reading. It gave attending directors a chance to really ring.

A special thanks to Cyndi Tully for being our clinician and to Kathleen Hacker, our area Schulmerich Rep for doing a bell maintenance class.

Verbal feedbacks were all so positive. It's so rewarding to have ringers tell you how much they enjoyed the event and look forward to more bell ringing events in our area.

I'm looking forward to being at the Bakersfield Spring Ring, visiting as Regional Coordinator, and I know I'll enjoy the concert. If you haven't registered for this event, do so. I know it will be a successfull event with great clinicians.

The Central Coast Spring Ring is April 17th; get your registrations in as soon as possible to assure your space. I'm hoping numbers will be great as we celebrate this ten year milestone. Looking forward to Nancy Jessup being with us as our guest clinician.

Remember to send me information regarding your events so publicity can be placed in the 12th Tone. Also, check out the events happening throughout California and try to attend one or more and, of course, don't forget to get your registrations sent in for the Davis Conference. You don't want to miss out!!!

Happy Ringing!

Shirley

                                        SOUNDWAVE! IS COMING!
                                    Friday, March 12th, 7:00 P.M.
                               San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church
                                             1515 Fredericks St
                                              San Luis Obispo, CA

                                               Free will offering

Bakersfield Spring Ring
March 20, 2010
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Concert
St. John's Lutheran Church
4500 Buena Vista Rd.
Bakersfield, CA
Cost: $20 per ringer/includes lunch & raffle
Clinicians: Bill and Lee Waggener

Bill/Lee Waggener

Repertoire List and Registration form
Click Here
Contact: Dianne Bryant at
kidsncanines@netzero.com

2010 Central Coast Spring Ring

April 17, 2010
Elks Lodge
Atascadero, CA

"Favorites from the Past".

Sample Ad 2

Nancy Jessup, Clinician

Repertoire List- Click Here

Registration is $20 per ringer and the deadline is March 31, 2010.

It will be a bring your own lunch, however, snacks & drinks will be provided. Space will be limited, but a waiting list will be made & acted upon after March 31st. All will be asked to bring your tables, pads, bells, chimes, mallets, music books, risers, gloves & anything else you need. All music must be

originals and each choir is welcome to do a solo at the concert.

For more information or questions, contact me at shipley712@sbcglobal.net

LA Metro - Debbie Shaw, Regional Coordinator

Happy Spring Everyone!

Can it be March already? I am writing this article while I am in Bremerton, WA attending Distinctly Broze West. It has been an amazing weekend, but I will write about that in another article.

I do have a couple of things to share. Our LA Metro Spring Ring is now less than two weeks away. I hear there is excitement in the air about Larry Sue coming to lead our Spring Ring. Our Spring Ring is FULL with over 100 ringers registered to attend. I am looking forward to seeing everyone there. Good News, There is still space for you in our New Advancing to Bronze Workshop! If you are interested in attending send me an e-mail right away and let me know. It should be a fun time working on a couple of great level 4 pieces.

Don't miss the Low Ding Zone Concert on March 14, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. at the Los Altos UMC, 5959 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA. Free will offering.

The other item is I have had 2 handbell groups contact me looking for places to present concerts in the LA area this summer. The first group is the Las Vegas Master Ringers of the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts. They are looking to present a workshop and concert on June 4^th. The second group is from the University Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN. They are looking for a concert venue on July 24 or to share in a worship service on July 25^th. They are touring California from San Diego to the Bay Area on their way to the Alliance of Baptist Convocation in Monterey. If you are interested in either of these opportunities please let me know and I will pass on the contact information.

This is everything I have received for now. Please remember to let me know what your groups are doing, so I can share the news! Don't forget to check out the opportunities at the 2010 Ringers Conference in Davis this June.

Debbie

Advancing to Bronze Workshop

Here is the perfect opportunity to advance your skills to a bronze level with this two day event beginning Friday March 12 from 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. and continuing March 13, 2010 from 8:00-9:30 a.m. under the leadership of Larry Sue. Los Altos UMC, 5950 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA will be the host of this event. Cost is $20 per registrant. Contact Debbie Shaw at lametro@verizon.net Click Here for more Information

LA Metro Spring Ring

Saturday March 13, 2010
9:30 a.m.
Clinician: Larry Sue
Registration: $20 per registrant
Los Altos UMC
5950 E. Willow St.
Long Beach, CA.
Click Here
for more information

Upcoming Concerts: Click Here

SoCal - Ruth O'Neil, Regional Coordinator