In my "day job," I work for an agency that does regional planning. Our standard office joke is that the planners don't do much planning. Like everyone else, they find that by the time they finally get their head out from under some huge effort, the next one is on top of them already!

Such is also the life of a handbell ringer - especially right after the holidays. You probably looked at the above checklist of things to do to get ready for Spring Ring and heaved a big sigh.

And yet, the absolute best thing we can do is future planning. So while you're thinking about Spring Ring, perhaps a spring concert or selections for Easter or music Sunday, and even if you're looking as far forward as next Christmas, I'm here to tell you that NOW is the time to start planning for Disneyland. Come on now, don't blow me off! You know it's true! There's potential fundraising; if you're considering traveling with kids there's scheduling, chaperones, and parental permission (aka parental "buy-in" - who do you think is gonna chaperone?); music needs to be learned so that will have to be worked into next year's repertoire; and if someone can't go, you may need to find subs.

And we have a few surprises coming, too, so now is the time to make the commitment so you can make sure you're in line for some cool stuff.

Yes, go to the nearest Spring Ring. But don't wait until 2012 to start thinking about 2012. Mark the calendar, start saving, and start planning for the future!

P.L. Grove
Communications Director

Hi, everybody!

Wow, that was a busy holiday season! Between the San Diego Harmony Ringers, Sonos, and school, I played in 18 concert events and I know that many of you racked up a similar tally.  January gives us a chance to catch our breath ...

... just in time to start preparing for Spring!  :-)  Now that the busy December holiday season is finished, don't forget to send in your registrations for the 2011 Bronze Vision and Spring Ring events before the Early Bird deadline.  With so many great classes, a director's round-table, a lunch-time concert, AND massed ringing with Christine Anderson, it's sure to be a fabulous event!

Looking even farther ahead, there will be a Director's Workshop on Saturday, Sept 10th in Chula Vista.  This event is targeted at directors who are new to handbells AND to handbell ringers who are new to directing.  There will be instruction in conducting technique, instruction in handbell technique, a roundtable discussion, plus a chance for all participants to take their turn with the stick and direct a group of ringers.  Watch the SoCal web page for more details.

Also: we are looking for a venue in the northern part of the SoCal Region to host a Directors Workshop - perhaps Redlands, Riverside, or even San Bernardino.  If you're interested in hosting this type of event, or if you have ideas for other events we should be having in Southern California, please drop me a line and let me know!

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

My best,
-Michèle

How do you know when you've bitten off more than you can chew?

Is it when you suddenly realize that everyone in your group is only available on one particular weekend - the SAME weekend when you already have two other concerts to play?

Or is it when you look up at the calendar and see a rehearsal on Monday, another rehearsal for a different group on Tuesday, an advent service to play on Wednesday, yet another bell rehearsal on Thursday, the Velocity concert on Friday, an extra pre-performance bell rehearsal on Saturday, and a worship service on Sunday the week leading into your three-group concert marathon (that also just happens to be at three different churches in three different cities all on the same day!)?

Or is it on Christmas Eve when you suddenly remember that you were supposed to get gifts for your family, and - oops...? (Oh well, guess they'll get cash this year.)

Or do you find yourself having nightmares repeatedly about that tricky bell change in measure 52, and that mallet lift you keep forgetting in measure 78 (you know, the one your director keeps glaring at you for because you've grown totally paranoid about missing it to the point it's become a self-fulfilling prophecy)?

Do you wake up one morning and it dawns on you that you eat, sleep and breathe handbells? Oh yeah -  you've definitely bitten off a whopper. At the very least, it sure FEELS like it.

Okay, I know you're probably thinking I'm making this up, but it's actually only part of my recent schedule -  and I was sick through most of it, too. I'm certainly no super performer, by any means, but you know what they say: "The show must go on." It's a funny thing, when we love doing something so much, we somehow find a way to accomplish it. Yes, we do sometimes overbook ourselves, yet, for me, in spite of the fact that I am now completely toast, I loved every minute of it, and I can look back with pride at having given something musically special to a lot of people. I guess I'm just thrilled, too, that I survived the effort! Of course, I didn't do this all alone. I had a lot of help from some really terrific people in the groups I direct and perform with who helped make it possible for me to get through this challenging holiday schedule, and I am so grateful to all of them for their patience and contributions, musical and otherwise.

So now what? Well, personally, I played my last service this morning, so I am hoping to finally get some rest before rehearsals resume in January. Our ringing year is far from over, so I am looking forward to learning new music and hearing about more concerts from all of you in the Central California region.

Here's wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Kathie Mackie

It's January, and Christmas is now a joyful memory! Christmas carols that we practiced since September are done, and it is time to turn our minds to spring music. Easter is approaching...or is it?

For those who really loved ringing Christmas music for the past several months, there is a time and a place to continue. The 19th Annual 12th Night Handbell Festival will be held in Las Vegas in just two weeks! Hundreds of ringers, thousands of bars of music, the Christmas spirit renewed, and the return of Tim Waugh: all will be gathered together for a weekend of Christmas music! Don't miss the fun on January 15 and 16 at the South Point Hotel. For more information, visit the Nevada section of the Area XII Web site or contact me at nevada@areaxii.org.

Barbara Walsh

Aloha!

If you haven't done it already, get your calendar out right now and mark it for Saturday, May 28, 2011 for our Aloha Ring! We are still finalizing plans, but it's never too early to save the date on your calendar! Hawaii is excited to have the incredible Tim Waugh for this event, so stay tuned for more details.

Karen

Registration has been extended for a limited time for AGEHR's master classes being held later this month in Tucson, Arizona. While Dr. William Payn's conducting classes are currently full, there are still spots available for those wishing to ring and observe (not conduct). For the master class in composition with Arnold Sherman, there is only one spot still available, so if you're interested, don't delay.

There is a new addition this year: a beginning directors' seminar with Bill and Carolynne Mathis. There are undoubtedly many directors who would have loved to have the opportunity to attend a session like this when they were first starting out. Now is your chance to get some one-on-one instruction from this incredible teaching couple from Minneapolis. Don't miss it!

And if you are "just" a ringer, there's an event for you, too. There is still space available for ringers to practice and perform advanced repertoire under the baton of Jason Wells. Bremerton, Washington is once again the host city for the four-day conference on February 24-27, 2011. If you haven't yet experienced the adrenaline rush, Jason will leave you believing in your heart that you can ring anything (memorized, too)!

Advertising Rates: 2011 Publishing Year

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

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Please submit your ads to P.L. Grove, Communications Director via e-mail at info@areaxii.org.