African Handbell Print
           The Twelfth Tone E-newsletter
AGEHR Area XII Newsletter
November 2010
In This Issue
Handbell Resources
West Coast Handbell Supply
The Raleigh Ringers Presents
Bell Trees and More
Velocity Toffee is Back!
Bell Loan Program
Area XII Board
Upcoming Concerts
A Message From the Chair
Communiqué
Area XII Happenings
National News
Calendar of Events
Advertising Rates

Handbell Resources


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Handbell
Supply
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For
 Handbell Music, Supplies
and  Service


Toll Free-888-775-WEST

Call: 559-625-5111
Fax: 559-741-7346

Email: BellMusic@
Westcoasthandbells.com

www.westcoasthandbells.com

P.O. Box 4361
Visalia, CA
 
Raleigh Ringers 2010 Ad
 
Visit
www.BelltreesandMore.com
on a regular basis to see and hear our entire list of published pieces. The latest releases and other website information will be featured on the home page.
Belltree ad
Please register
on the website.

Louise Frier
813.293.5855

Composer/Arranger
[email protected]
 

Velocity Toffee is Back!

Velocity's annual fundraiser once again offers you the chance to purchase a homemade stocking stuffer for the holidays AND support handbells at the same time.  If you've ever had it, you'll be glad to know it's back for another holiday season.  If you've never tried it, you simply must!

Velocity's traditional English toffee is homemade from butter, sugar, walnuts and Guittard semisweet chocolate.  The toffee comes vacuum sealed in a 1 lb. pop-top can with a resealable lid for the price of $20 per can.

Velocity is currently taking advance orders through their Web site at www.velocitybells.org All online orders are secure through the use of PayPal, and since Velocity is 501c3 non-profit organization, a full $14 of your toffee purchase is tax deductible.

So click on over to the Velocity Web site and try a can - or six!- today. (Right..you go ahead and keep saying you're buying those six cans for "friends."  We won't tell.)
Velocity Logo
Thank you in advance for your support of Velocity in the art of making music with handbells.
Area XII Bell
Loan  Program
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Teachers, would you like the use of a 3 octave set of handbells or chimes to add a new dimension and interest to your music class?  Area XII encourages schools and other educational institutions (both public and private) to develop educational programs using handbells and handchimes. To support the development of such programs Area XII has  2 sets of 3 octaves  of handbells and 3 sets of 3 octaves of  handchimes for loan. Deadlines for applications is 5/31 for the Fall Semester and 10/30 for Spring Semester.To learn more about the responsibilities and procedures for participating in this program Click Here
Area XII Board
African Handbell Print

Chair...............Rima Greer
Past Chair.........P.L. Grove
Chair Elect...Laurie Sanders
Treasurer.......Kathy Arnold
Secretary............Sue
                Coddington-Allen

Appointed Officers:
Communication..P.L. Grove
Webmaster..........Mel Tully
Events............William Kyle
Education.....Tess Houston
Historian....Diane Levorsen

Regional Coordinators:
NorCal........Nancy Schmitt
Bay Area.......Beckie Wiley
CenCal........Kathie Mackie
LAMetro........Debbie Shaw
SoCal..........Michele Sharik
Nevada.......Barbara Walsh
Hawaii.........Karen Carlisle

Local Liaisons:
Las Vegas.......Dixie Bailey
Upcoming Concerts
at a Glance
:

Please check Calendar of Events for full details.

Northern California

November 6, 2010
5:00 p.m.
7th Annual Methodist Mass Ring Concert
Davis U.M.C.
1620 Anderson Road
Davis, CA
 
November 21, 2010
3:00 p.m.
Carillons Handbell Ensemble
St. James Lutheran Church
2500 Shasta View Drve
Redding, CA

 
November 27, 2010
1-3:00 p.m.
RiverBells at the
Nevada Country Faire
11228 McCourtney Road
Grass Valley, CA
 
Central California

November 5, 2010
7:30 p.m.
Opus Handbell Ensemble
Modesto Jr. College
Performing Arts Center
435 College Avenue
Modesto, CA

LA Metro

November 14, 2010
4 p.m.
Pacific Bells in Concert
Los Altos UMC
5950 E. Willow Street
Long Beach, CA
 
Click Here
for further details


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Greetings!  

We move from spooky ooky bells to lighting the tree with bells in this pre-Christmas season.


The Area XII ringing calendar is full and there's plenty to see and hear in the coming months.

 

Come on, ring those bells!

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A Message from the Chair
Rima Greer

Greetings!


By now, I'm sure most of you are thoroughly entrenched in your holiday programs: learning music, figuring out running orders, deciding on costumes, frantically scheduling subs. You probably haven't given a moment's though to anything past December 25th (or maybe 12th Night), have you?

Well, it's my pleasure to remind you that it's time to check dates and round up your ringing friends for your local 2011 Spring Rings. We've got a passel of great ones coming up, and it would be fabulous to see you all there. Spring Ring is a great way to reconnect, hone your skills, and just plain have a blast, especially in those years in between Area festivals. Of course, I'm sure you ALL have Disneyland 2012 marked in indelible ink on your calendars, but it's a long way to 2012 and, believe it or not, your local Spring Ring is just around the corner. Time flies when you're having fun!

 

So check the Area XII Web site for the Spring Ring nearest you, recruit your pals to go with you (especially the ones who never do and need it the most!), and sign up early.

 

Here's wishing you smooth rehearsals and a hearty and happy Thanksgiving! See you in December!

 

Rima

Area XII Chair
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Communiqu (From the Communications Director) 
PL Headshot Resized
Whew! I've just spent the last two days updating the Area XII calendar. (Don't forget to let me know if your event didn't make it into the Twelfth Tone calendar - we can still post it to the Area XII Web site.)

This is definitely our time of year as handbell ringers, and boy are you all ringing! One thing I've noticed that's really great this year is all of the groups who are performing with symphonies, choruses, and as part of a regular concert series. While it might mean we play only a portion of a concert, there's an added benefit of exposing handbells to a new audience. I find that once other musicians see what handbell ringers do up close and personal, most of them have a new admiration for how we manage to get the job done.

So take a look at the extremely full December calendar that I've so painstakingly updated and see if there are not only opportunities for you to support a group at a full concert, but also to enjoy handbells as a guest artist with singers and other instruments.

The holidays are a handbell renaissance! Get out there and hear the bells ring!

P.L. Grove
Communications Director

AREA XII HAPPENINGS
Directing Opportunity in Central California
A12Logo
First United Methodist Church in Bakersfield, California seeks a director for their two adult handbell choirs. The individual would work as part of a team of talented and spiritually committed individuals who desire to glorify God through music. Ringing is well-established and appreciated by many in this church family. The church has two 5+ octave sets of bells and chimes, as well as an extensive library. At least two years of experience as a director is preferred.
 
For more information, contact Andrew Irvin, Director of Worship and Music Ministries, at [email protected].
 
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SoCal - Michle Sharik, Regional Coordinator

Hi, everybody!

Bell ringers in Southern California didn't let the October rains dampen their spirits, they just kept on rehearsing.  After all, Advent and Christmas are coming soon, as well as community Holiday Concerts! 

The San Diego Harmony Ringers have listings on the SoCal concert calendar for Holiday concerts everywhere from the Carlsbad City Library to the San Diego Zoo, as well as a joint concert with Orchestra Nova.  Why not list your group's activities, too?  That way we can all go out and support our fellow handbell musicians and enjoy the beautiful sound of Holiday bell ringing!

Some ringers have been looking ahead to the spring time, too.  I've received a number of registrations for both the April 2011 Bronze Vision and Spring Ring events in Temecula.  Hurry and send in your registration to reserve your spot early!  Check out the Spring Ring and Bronze Vision pages for full information.

Our Featured Article this month is by Barbara Meinke, Handbell Director at Hope Lutheran Church of Temecula.  She was one of seven ringers from Area XII who attended Distinctly Bronze East in New Bern, NC, and tells us why she attends the DB events.  Read all about it in Distinctly Bronze - the Experience!

Finally, are you on Facebook?  Head over to the Southern California Region - Area XII page for up-to-the-minute news about handbell happenings in SoCal!

My best,

Mich�le :-)

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LA Metro - Debbie Shaw, Regional Coordinator
Debbie Shaw Headshot
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I am truly amazed at how fast the time flies this time of year!  My groups are hard at work preparing for our holiday concerts and performances.  Our LA Metro Fall Workshop was a great success! Huge thanks go to Pearl Marshall, Dr. Donavon Gray and all the class teachers for all their work on this event.  I also attended Distinctly Bronze East in North Carolina last month.  The seven of us from Area XII had a wonderful time and were pushed to new levels by the music.  If you ring at an advanced level, I can really recommend this event!

As time goes flying by, before you know it we will be having our LA Metro Spring Ring on March 19th.  We have a great venue with plenty of space.  We even will be adding more classes this year!  We will have 4 different class times and I am looking for for some new ideas for our classes.  Of course the basics are important but do you have any ideas for classes? What do you want to learn?  I am in the process of lining up our teachers and classes, if you would like to be considered for this opportunity please send me your proposal!  The classes will be 75 minutes in length, an extra 15 minutes for you to work with.  Contact me at [email protected] if you have questions. 

I will be working on the registration forms for Spring Ring soon.  I will post them to the website as soon as they are ready.  All the important information is already posted. Also, we have a couple of concerts coming up.  Check them out on the LA Metro page of the Website.  I have plenty of room to add your concerts and performances to the website, so please send them in!

Happy ringing and enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Debbie

 

P.S.  Check out our LA Metro Facebook page!

Find us on Facebook

 

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CenCal - Kathie Mackie, Regional Coordinator
Kathie MackieHere comes Santa Claus....

It was still reaching 100 degrees outside in September, but there it was: the beginnings of Christmas merchandise going up in a local department store. Then, believe it or not, I saw a Christmas commercial on TV! Mutterings of "crass commercialism" issued forth from my mouth. I just wasn't ready to think about the holidays yet.

Soon it was handbell rehearsal night, and I took out my bells with the glee of a child who's going to Disneyland. Then, lo and behold, what do you think I found waiting on my music stand? Yep, you guessed it: Christmas music!

I'm sure many of you started working on your Christmas music in September, too. The truth is, we need an early start to get ready for all of our holiday ringing. While I'm not fond of all the commercialism, I do love the holiday season because it means I get to hear and ring lots of handbells! So happy Thanksgiving everyone, because we all know what that means (well, besides the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, turkey and stuffing, and grandma's apply cobbler). It's almost the holiday season!

By the way, Sierra Vista Mall in Fresno is looking for handbell choirs to ring during the holidays for their Santa photos on November 19th from 5-8 pm, as well as Saturdays November 27, December 4, December 11 and December 18 between the hours of noon and 4 pm. If interested, please contact me at [email protected] or Geanie Silva (559.299.5070; cell 559.579.9997).

And if you have a concert, workshop or other event coming up, please let me know what your handbell choir is doing.

Happy Ringing!
Kathie Mackie
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Bay Area - Beckie Wiley, Regional Coordinator
Beckie Wiley
Greetings, Bay Area ringers and directors!

Many holiday concerts and special handbell events are available for your enjoyment.

 

Check out all the Bay Area concerts on the Area XII calendar and the SF Bay Area portion of the web site.

 

And don't forget to consider attending the second annual 12th Night at St. Andrews, the Bay Area Handbell Festival, or the 2011 Spring Ring in Cupertino. They are all coming up sooner than you think, so send in your registration now.

 

Remember to send me dates and venues of your workshops and performances!

 

Have fun! 

Beckie

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NorCal - Nancy Schmitt, Regional Coordinator
Nancy Schmitt
Bells were ringing all weekend around Redding, starting with the Redding Handbell Festival on Friday and Saturday, October 22-23, and culminating on Sunday, October 24 with the Velocity concert Rhythm and Bells. Despite the rainy and windy weather, both events were well attended and were certainly an inspiration to all who braved the weather to hear beautiful handbell music.

So what is happening next?
  • On Sunday, November 21, the Carillons Handbell Choir will perform A Musical Journey Around the World at St. James Lutheran Church, 2500 Shasta View Drive, Redding at 3 p.m. This will be a benefit concert to help the Castle Church of Wittenberg, Germany start a bell choir.
  • On December 4, December 12, December 17 and December 18RiverBells performs at the Lucas Winery in Lodi, with the Folsom Lake Symphony Orchestra, at First United Methodist in Sacramento and once again at the Capitol Rotunda at the California State Capitol..
  • And on Sunrday, December 5, Redding gets a two-fer when both the Simpson University Handbell Choir and the First United Methodist Handbell Choir perform at 3 pm and 6 pm.

For details of all the upcoming concerts, visit the Area XII calendar or the Northern California page of the Area XII web site.

 

And if you have an event such as a workshop, concert, or festival coming up, please contact me so I can be sure to include it in the next enews.

Rincerely,

Nancy Schmitt

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Nevada - Barbara Walsh, Regional Coordinator
Barb Walsh Headshot
January is just around the corner, and with it comes....

The 19th Annual 12th Night Handbell Festival!

Tim Waugh is returning, and this is an event that is always exciting for Las Vegas ringers and "commuters" alike! Don't miss it! Send your registration in now!

 

The  19th Annual 12th Night Handbell Festival
January 15 & 16, 2011
South Point Hotel
Las Vegas, Nevada
Clinician: Tim Waugh
Contact: Dixie Bailey, registrar

For more details, visit the Nevada section of the Area XII Web site or contact me at [email protected].

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Hawaii - Karen Carlisle Regional Coordinator
Karen Carlisle

Aloha!

Our family is back in Hawaii, and while I was away I understand the fall workshop participants had a great time! Check out the pictures on the Hawaii portion of the Area XII Web site.

And stay tuned for more information as we continue to plan for the next Area XII event in Hawaii.

Karen
NATIONAL NEWS
NATIONAL NEWS: Area XII Ringers Head East for DB 

Once again ringers from Area XII "represented" at this year's Distinctly Bronze event (affectionately known as "DB") in New Bern, North Carolina.

DBE_2010_Attendees
Seven Area XII ringers (plus one recent transplant) were treated to perfect weather, seafood, MumFest and Jason Wells, while attempting to play the Italian Symphony at orchestra tempo (185!). The result was both exciting and relaxing, rejuvenating and suspenseful. Here's one ringer's account of the weekend:

 

"I admit it, I'm a handbell junkie.  And when I first heard about Distinctly Bronze, I got really excited.  Wow, what a thrilling experience that must be!  And then I saw some of the music and thought, whoa, I'm not quite ready for that yet!

 

But I worked hard at my craft, and auditioned and gained entrance to the first Distinctly Bronze in Bremerton 2009.  It was an exhilarating experience, and so I attended my second DBE in New Bern, NC this past week.  Under the baton of Jason Wells, this group of 116 ringers took to the business of performing 12 pieces of some of the most extraordinary music written for handbells.  As were many, I was really worried about The Italian Symphony.  A 24 page tome of the fastest music I've ever seen.  I prayed that I could keep up.  But through Jason's skilled conducting and his absolute conviction that we could do this, we did.  Exhilarating isn't the word. 

 

Distinctly Bronze isn't for the faint of heart.  It requires hour of preparation, learning and mastering the music ahead of time, the stamina to stay on your feet through days of rehearsal.  But the joy of performing music at a high level is an unsurpassed feeling.  And the opportunity of honing my musicianship and my technical skills in a performance-oriented setting is important to me.  I am honored to be considered an alumni of Distinctly Bronze, and encourage you to consider joining us!"                                   - Linda Krantz


Linda's got it right: it's not for the faint of heart. But it's a wonderful place to ring with like-minded crazies...er...ringers looking for an extra push. The 2011 Distinctly Bronze events will be on the West Coast in Bremerton, Washington, February 24-27, and back in New Bern, North Carolina in October 2011. More information can be found on the National AGEHR web site.

ON THE CALENDAR
Calendar of Events  November

November 5, 2010, 7:30 p.m. Opus Handbell Ensemble performs as special guests of the Modesto Junior College Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, Modesto Junior College Performing Arts and Media Center, 435 College Avenue, Modesto, CA. General admission $5; students $4. For more information go to www.mjc.edu/general/news/eventscalendar.html.

November 6, 2010, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. The 7th Annual Methodist Mass Ring under the direction of Dorothy Straks, will be held at Davis United Methodist Church, 1620 Anderson Road, Davis, California. Registration before October 8 is $10/ringer and $75/choir. After October 8, registration is $12/ringer and $90/choir. Contact: Bruce Pettit at [email protected]. 

 

November 14, 2010, 4:00 p.m. Pacific Bells in concert at Los Altos United Methodist Church, 5950 E. Willow Street, Long Beach, California.

November 21, 2010, 3:00 p.m. The Carillons Handbell Choir performs A Musical Journey Around the World at St. James Lutheran Church, 2500 Shasta View Drive, Redding. This will be a benefit concert to help the Castle Church of Wittenberg, Germany start a bell choir. Contact: Nancy Schmitt at [email protected]

November 27, 2010, 1:00-3:00 p.m. RiverBells will perform at the Country Faire, 11228 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley. A map for this location can be found atwww.nevadacountryfair.com.

To view all the events on the calendar for Area XII (including the many, many Christmas concerts in December) Click Here
ADVERTISING IN THE TWELFTH TONE
Advertising Rates for 2010 Publishing Year

The  Twelfth Tone E-newsletter is published the first of each month, except July, by Area XII of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.  AGEHR is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the musical art of handbell ringing through education, community, and communication.  The editor of this publication reserves the right to reject or modify copy.

Advertising Rates: 2010 Publishing Year

Two different types of ads are offered:

1.(a) An ad designed and formatted by you that is exactly 100 pixels X 300 pixels and sent in a jpeg or gif file. The ad will by hyperlinked to your website.

Cost:  $10 an issue    6 issues for  $54    11 issues for $94

1. (b) Ad  designed and formatted by you that is exactly 100 pixels X 600 pixels and sent in a jpeg or gif file.

Cost:  $18 an issue    6 issues for $97  11 issues for $168

2.(a) A 1.5in. X 4in ad which can contain a picture or logo sent as a jpeg or gif file and will be hyperlinked to your website. You provide the text that will be formatted by the editor. 

Cost:  $15 an issue      6 issues for $81    11 issues for $140

2.(b) A 1.5in. X 8 in. ad which contains a picture or logo sent as a jpeg or gif file and will be hyperlinked to your website.  You provide the text that will be formatted by the editor.

Cost:  $27 an issue    6 issues for $146  11 issues for $252

Payment is due before publication.
DEADLINE is the 24th of the month

Please submit your ads to P.L. Grove, Communications Director via e-mail at [email protected].

Make checks payable to AGEHR Area XII
and send to:
Kathy Arnold, Treasurer
1228 Isabelle Avenue
Mountain View, CA 94040