• The new track format of the 2010: A New Handbell Odyssey conference at Davis has already been lauded as an more affordable opportunity for some and a means to "do exactly what I want" at the conference for others.
• Our new elections process will allow AGEHR members to vote directly at the conference, providing the possibility of a greater return on ballots and possible interaction with the candidates themselves. (For more information on the upcoming election, click here.)
• As we say goodbye to the Marching Handbell Choir, we can take heart that the change will create more opportunities for school programs to use their bells as an introduction to music.
• As we say goodbye also to Carol, Shirley and Ruth this year, we can be grateful for all that they have contributed to this organization, assisting in regional coordination of events and keeping the membership in the loop about what's going on.
• We can also be grateful that although a major change has occurred in planning the Pinnacle event, the National office has managed to secure a new venue and the event will go on.
  
• And we will say hello to a new Area XII Board at the end of this summer as we continue our legacy as one of the Guild's most forward-thinking regions.
  

Yes, change can sometimes be challenging. But when we embrace the challenge, we can learn from the past and look forward to an exciting new future!

P.L. Grove
Area XII Chair

Happy Ringing!
Carol

 
Only 17 days until 2010 New Handbell Odyssey!  Here are just a few important reminders.

DEADLINE for registering for housing and ordering a lunch is
JUNE 7th.  We'd like to make commuting registrants aware that there will not be enough time to go off campus for lunch so you may want to consider ordering our box lunch.

Commuters can register for Tracks up until June 16th.  Note that on-campus lunch and housing will not be available after June 7th.

Silent Auction- needs your donations!  The Marching Handbell Choir will be donating bells to the Area XII handbell/handchime loan program and proceeds from our Silent Auction this year will help purchase bells to complete these bell sets. So registrants get your creative ideas flowing as we need items donated to make this Silent Auction a success. Even if you are NOT a registrant, you can still donate to the Silent Auction and support bells in schools! There is no requirement for donated items to be handbell related. Knit a scarf, make a gift basket, bake a goodie!  Because Area XII is 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, donations are deductible for IRS purposes.  If you have any questions, please contact Norma Rose, Silent Auction Coordinator at 408-356-6156 Ext. 54 or [email protected]  You can download a donation form Here

Showcase Concerts and Closing Concert are open to the public!

Friday June 18, 2010  7:30 p.m.in the Science Lecture Hall the auditioned Odyssey Handbell Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Wm. Payn, will amaze you with demanding repertoire. 

Saturday June 19, 2010, 7:30 p.m. in the Science Lecture Hall Opus Handbell Ensemble, a community choir from Modesto, CA will be the featured guests.

Sunday June 20, 2010, 3:30 p.m. in Freeborn Hall the closing mass concert opened by the Marching Handbell Choir. 

A special Welcome Packet email will be going out to registrants on June 7th with last minute details.  Parking and  unloading instructions will be included so WATCH for THIS IMPORTANT EMAIL!

Congratulations  to Diana Farias, director of St. Margaret Mary Children's  handbell choir in Oakland, CA, the recipient of the 2010 Jim Scott Scholarship to 2010: A New Handbell Odyssey.  Diana holds an M.M. in Opera Performance from Temple University in Philadephia, PA and a B.A. in Vocal Performance from CSU Stanislaus in Turlock, CA where her introduction to English Handbells took place in 1984.  She completed a handbell class taught by Dr. Scoville, Music Director of the Stockton Cathedral, Stockton, CA.  Diana enjoyed the handbells so much that in 1989 she invited the Stockton Cathedral Handbell Choir to perform at her wedding.

In 2008 Diana purchased a 2 octave set of children's handbells and began a children's handbell choir with two students. Over the past two years it has grown to eight students with weekly rehearsals and regular performances at Christmas, Easter and other special church occasions.

Using the KidzRing Series, Diana has taught the boys and girls to read hymns beginning with only a simple melody line and progressing to hymns with harmony, chords,and rolled chords.
Because the children would like to ring more than one or two bells and more than 2 octaves, Diana has applied for the Area XII Handbell Loan program.

In addition to directing the handbell choir, Diana is a private music teacher and freelance Arts and Religion Writer.  

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.

For those of you who are voting members of AGEHR, Area XII will be holding their elections of new officers this month. The slate of officers is as follows:

Chair Elect:  Joe Rodriguez
                    Laurie Sanders

Treasurer:  Kathy Arnold
                 Don Rossi

Secretary:  Susan Coddington-Allen
                  Kathie Mackie

Please look for your ballot to arrive in the mail this week. Support your favorite candidates by returning your ballot by the deadline.

Please welcome the following new members to AGEHR Area XII.

West Covina United Methodist Church
                   Carolyn Arndt, director
                                   West Covina, CA

St. Margaret Mary Church
                     Diane Farias, director    Concord, CA

Chinese Grace Bible Church
                      Joanna Lee, director    Sacramento, CA

Judy Aprile,  Modesto, CA

First Congregational
                       Ulrike Edge, Director  Ramona, CA

SoCal - Michele Sharik, Regional Coordinator

Hi everybody! The May flowers were blooming while May bells were ringing left and right down here in Southern California. What an exciting month we've had!  Here are some highlights:

The weekend of May 1st, the San Diego Harmony Ringers (http://www.sdhr.org
spent some time in the recording studio with Cappella Gloriana, San Diego's premier a cappella ensemble(http://www.cappella-gloriana.org) recording the "West Coast Works" of Stephen Sturk under the composer's baton.  SDHR Patty Blake says, "I really enjoyed working with such talented musicians.  It was an honor to be asked.  And Stephen Sturk's music is gorgeous.  Looking forward to this CD, and to performing with them in October!"

On Monday, May 10th, I played the handbell solo, "Be Still My Soul" (by Area XII's own Christine Anderson, published by Hope) with piano accompanist Tomoyo Perdew at Cal State San Marcos' annual Vocal Ensemble Solo Performances concert.  This was the first time many in the 100+ audience had ever heard handbells, though some of my classmates did tell me that they remember playing handbells as a child at school or in church, so I hope they will also remember what fun bells are and will find a choir to play in soon.

On Sunday, May 16th, I had the pleasure of attending two concerts by Southern California groups.  The San Diego Harmony Ringers played an afternoon concert for the inaugural season of the Accord Concert Series at Blessed Sacrament Church in San Diego and they did a great job. That same afternoon, the Pacific Beach Presbyterian Crusader Bells played a joint concert with the Mira Costa College Chorale at the First Presbyterian Church in Oceanside, and both groups were fabulous.

Looking ahead to next month, on Tuesday, June 15th, the Wesley Bell Ringers, a youth handbell group from Salt Lake City, will be giving a concert at 7:30 p.m.at the Temecula UMC, 42690 Margarita Road. According to their website (http://www.wesleybells.org/)"the Wesley Bell Ringers formed in 1963 when nine bored teenagers sold sandwiches for six months and made enough money to buy twenty-five handbells...[and become]the first handbell choir in Utah. Fast forward 45 years and over 400 high school aged students have played in the choir which has expanded to 10 octaves of bells, and two octaves each of hand chimes, cup bells, silver melody bells, a carillon and a boom-a-gong." This summer their tour brings them our way, so let's be sure to turn out and support this dynamic youth group!

And speaking of Temecula, mark your calendars now for next year's Southern California Spring Ring, which will be held Saturday, April 9, 2011. at Hope Lutheran Church in Temecula. Our massed conductor will be Christine Anderson.  She's best known as a soloist, but let me tell you, she is an incredible massed conductor, too!  We'll have classes and reading sessions for ringers and directors taught by Joe Rodriguez (director of the San Diego Harmony Ringers), Roy Attridge (member of SDHR), and yours truly.  We'll also have "Bronze Vision" on Friday night April 8.  Stay tuned for more information about this exciting event.

I have updated the Southern California page at the Area XII website.  Upcoming events will be added there as soon as I have the information about them.  In addition to updating the "Upcoming Events" section, I've added a new "Featured Articles" section - which features articles written by SoCAl members about their bell ringing experiences.  If you've got an idea for a featured article, please let me know!  Meanwhile check out the page by Clicking Here

And... (drumroll, please).. our first Featured Article is:
Bells and Berlioz- Roy Attridge from the San Diego Harmony Ringers describes his experience ringing Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique with the Grossmont Symphony Orchestra. Click Here to Read

That's it for this month.  If you know of any handbell events or exciting handbell news, please drop me a line at [email protected]

My best,
Michele

Hello Everyone!

 

June has arrived and I am wondering where has the time gone!  My church is preparing for our annual music appreciation service this month. This service gives the congregation the opportunity to see all of our music groups present music in a single service.  It is wonderful to be part of a church that appreciates their volunteer musicians this way. I hope that many of you have this opportunity! 

      I have exciting news!  The LA Metro Fall Ringer's Workshop will return this year.  A new date, a new venue and a class or two!   Mark you calendars now for Saturday, October 2 for the "almost" annual Fall Workshop.  This event will be held at Glendale First UMC, 134 N. Kenwood St., Glendale.  Our own Donovan Gray will be our clinician for the day.  Much thanks go out to Pearl Marshall for all her hard work in getting this event back on our LA Metro Calendar.  Repertoire and Registration announcements will be be available by August 1st.  You do not need to rehearse this music beforehand, Donovan will take us through sight-reading and into rehearsal.  Just order your music and bring your choir!

     In addition I'm happy to announce  the LA Metro 2011 Spring Ring will be March 19, 2011 at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana.  Michele Sharik will be our clinician.    We have some exciting plans in store for the Spring Ring so watch for more details soon!

      I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the 2010 - A New Handbell Odyssey in a few weeks.  I am coordinating the Mass Ringing activities in Freeborn Hall.  I hope you will take the time to stop by and say Hi!  If you aren't going to Freeborn for an All-Ring or the Mass Attack, I may see you at meal time in Tercero Dining Commons or at the Showcase Concerts in Science Hall.  I really do look forward to chatting with you at Davis!  It is a great time to put names and faces together.  There are so many exciting new things happening at Davis, Area XII is on the cutting edge with this event.  The best news is there is STILL TIME TO REGISTER!  Those of us coming from the LA area will likely need housing so you need to register by June 7th to get a room and all the great classes.

     Check out the concerts in the left margin of this newsletter, or click the link below.  We have a couple of concerts coming up!  It is great that we have groups that want to play here in LA and even better that we have churches that are willing to host them!  Hopefully, you can make room in your busy schedules and come out to these concerts.

 

As always, I am here to help!  See you in Davis!

Debbie

 

 

Happy June - I presume some choirs and groups have already started your summer breaks; if not, I'm sure June will be the final concerts, etc and it won't be long before we'll all be having bell ringing withdrawals!

 

We left California for Georgia on May 22nd.  Will be attending our grandson's high school graduation and his brother's 5th grade graduation from grammar school to Jr. High.  Oh my stars! How many kinds of graduations are there?!  After a few days, we head to Florida, spending some time in Orlando and then to Ft. Lauderdale to see our eldest son & grandson. 

 

I've told all of you that as of June 30th, I have resigned my position as Regional Coordinator for Area XII and I'm hoping that someone out there in Central Cal will step up to the plate and offer your services.  It will be a great opportunity and experience.  Let me know and I will submit your name to the Board.  This is an appointed position.

 

Speaking of positions, this is an election year for Area XII officers.  These positions include Chair Elect, Secretary & Treasurer.  Note that this year you can wait and submit your ballot while at the Conference. If you can't make the conference, then return it by mail as usual.  Your vote is important, so don't forget!

Those of you who will be attending the conference in Davis, I know you'll have a great time and a great learning and ringing experience with the group of fabulous clinicians leading this event. 

 

If there are any bell happenings in your area over the summer months, by chance, let me know all the information and I will see that it gets printed in this column. 

 

Happy Ringing,

Shirley

The month of May featured many spring concerts throughout the SF Bay Area. 

At the Walnut Creek UMC, Jane Patty directed her 32nd Annual Spring Concert themed "Just For the Fun of It!"  Selections included "A Walk in the Park", "Arky, Arky, with a fun narration about Noah, "How Can I Keep From Singing," and a Dixieland swing arrangement of "What a Friend I Have in Jesus", featuring clarinet and tuba solos.  In the middle of this jazzy rendition, the audience erupted in spontaneous applause!  Soloist Carol Smith performed "New York, New York" and a clever arrangement of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" that incorporated a spirited narration of Casey at the Bat and an umpire in full regalia calling balls and strikes.  As a participant in this concert, I can truly attest that is was great fun for ringers and the audience alike.  Jane Patty deserves a standing ovation for her dedicated leadership and countless contributions to the bell community.  She just completed her 35th year of directing.  Thank you, Jane!

Tapestry is a combined performance ensemble from Clayton that weaves two groups together- Canto Bello Handbell Ensemble and Heartsong, a women's vocal chorale.  Under the directions of Cindy Krausgrill, Tapestry is currently on tour, performing their concert "Shall We Dance?" in Concord, Walnut Creek, Livermore and Pacific Grove and Carmel on June 5 and 6.  This classy and energetic program entertained the audience with "Turkey in the Straw," "Rock Around the Clock," and everyone's favorite, the "Can Can". Ringers wore fishnet stockings on their forearms, with miniature black satin skirts lined with colorful tulle petticoats just below their elbows.  Lifting their arms high above their heads while ringing presented an awesome visual of Can Can dancers.  Carol Smith amazed the audience with her fluid execution of ringing six-in-hand during "Lord of the Dance".  Congratulations, Carol, for mastering this difficult technique!

Since touring Sarajevo, Bosnia in 2003, Tapestry has donated all of the free will offerings taken at their concerts to a charitable organization.  The recipient of this year's concert tour is FESCO- Family Emergency Shelter Coalition.  What a great  tradition! 
 
Dave Ruder was also busy attending concerts and he shares the following reviews of two concerts he enjoyed.

San Francisco State University bell ensemble gave a fun and educational concert in Half Moon Bay early in May.  The HMB Library was an excellent venue for Caroline Harnly, who is the director of both  the SFSU team and fledgling UMC church choir.  The university ensemble is made up of mostly staff members at the school.  They played a wide variety of pieces which were designed to appeal to the mostly non-ringer audience which crowded into the library. Caroline provided a succinct and interesting dialogue between pieces. The church team played a piece on its own and joined the university team for a combined number. In addition, Caroline asked the local community choral ensemble to join them on the final two pieces.  It was a delightful evening in HMB for a wonderful relaxing time of fun music.

It is apparent that there will be no drop off in quality and interest in the Sunnyvale Presbyterian Choir of Bells program as Diane Tiller took over in the spring for former director, Michele Sharik, who left for San Diego in December.  Larry Sue did a fine job covering the several month interim between both directors.

With husband Jason Tiller handling M.C. duties, Diane and the Choir of Bells presented a well-prepared variety of bell music as a full team.  Various members of the choir presented solos and small ensemble pieces during the concert to round out the late May program.  With barely three months of rehearsal with the church team, Diane brazenly took on the challenges of a year-end program.  Congratulations!

There are still more exciting concerts on the schedule in June and July.  Be sure to attend Bay Bells on June 5 and the Sonos Pinnacle preview on July 10!

Happy Summer!
Beckie

    

Clinician/director Tim Waugh is seeking assistance from all handbell enthusiasts to help bring a special group of ringers from Puerto Rico to the United States this summer. If you've been following the National Pinnacle event, you no doubt know that the group selected to play the Monday night Headliner concert is an exceptional group of young ringers from Puerto Rico. In this tough economy - and with costs constantly rising - the group could use some help raising the nearly $10,000 needed to fly them to Nashville. If you or someone you know is interested in helping to bring this amazing group to perform at Pinnacle this summer, please click here for information on how to donate to this worthy cause.

 

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