Greetings!   

  

Area XII Chair

chair@area12.handbellmusicians.org

Okay, the Christmas crazies are over! Time to start organizing for 2012.

I hope you're making your Disney list - which tracks are for you? Registration is almost here, and you'll need to know what to sign up for. If you haven't already checked out the huge list of tracks, get started now.

The incredible Kathy Arnold is back as our registrar this year, and she's putting together a list of things you'll need before you register, as well as a list of Frequently Asked Questions. Watch the conference page for updates and all the latest information.

Six months to Disneyland and counting!

P.L. Grove
Communications Director
info@areaxii.org

 

Congratulations to the December Treasure Hunt winner, Sandy Haynes, who was the first person to send in the correct guess for the December clue: there is now a Track Description page linked to the Conference web site. While most of the track descriptions are currently listed there, make sure you check back for the final version before you register for the Disneyland conference.
And since Sandy's guess was within a mere 8 minutes after the newsletter went out, she now holds the title for the fastest correct guess! Congratulations, Sandy!

 

If you still haven't heard about the Area 12 Treasure Hunt, we've invited members to search for hidden treasure on the Area 12 web site each month through this enewsletter. Each newsletter will contain a clue as to where on the Area 12 web site you can find something NEW. Use the clue to identify the new item. Be the first person to send an email with the correct answer and win the prize. For full details of the contest, eligibility requirements and a list of the prizes, go to the Contest Page on the Area 12 web site.  

Here's the sixth Treasure Hunt clue: 

Don't get caught standing in a line up

Get online now and be first to sign up 

The first eligible individual to send an email with the correct answer to info@areaxii.org wins this month's prize. Prize winners will be announced in the following month's enewsletter. All prize winners' contact information will be shared with the other winners to facilitate a potential prize exchange. 

Spread the word that we're on a treasure hunt....

Yo ho, Yo ho!

As always, watch our Facebook page for the latest SoCal handbell news.

My best,
-Michèle
socal@areaxii.org

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, filled with the music of the season.

Our Spring Ring 2012 flyer and registration form are ready and available on the LA Metro page of the Area12 website. With nationally recognized clinician and composer Kath Wissinger directing our massed pieces, the ringing space will fill up fast. You'll want to get your registration in as soon as possible since table space will be assigned according to registration postmarks.

We are also pleased to offer Burst of Bronze, a Friday night off-shoot of the Spring Ring. This is an opportunity for bronze-level ringers from across our region to gather and work together under Kath's baton. This group will rehearse Friday evening (March 23) at Mid-Cities Baptist Church, and present their repertoire at the Spring Ring Closing Concert on March 24. More information can be found on the Spring Ring flyer and Burst of Bronze registration form posted on the website.

Ringers Wanted: We still have several handbell choirs looking for ringers. Our webpage has information about the groups and locations, rehearsal and performance schedules, average ringing level, specific position openings, and contact information for each group. If you need ringers for your choir, even on a substitute basis, please contact me so we can post your request.

New Year's Resolution: CONCERT NOTICES

This is a plea for your concert information for this winter/spring season. Please resolve with me to make a greater effort to publicize handbell concerts and events in our region. I do get regular inquiries from potential audience members. It would be nice to point them to a nice long list of opportunities to see and hear handbell music.

Remember, I am here to help you in any way I can. Please don't hesitate to contact me. 

Pearl Marshall
 lametro@areaxii.org
 
Check out our LA Metro Facebook page! 

Happy New Year, Bay Area! Ready to ring in 2012? 
 

Check out the Area 12 events calendar and start making plans. Even if the rest of your choir can't go, it doesn't mean you have to be left out of the fun. Attend as an orphan ringer! You'll get to make new handbell acquaintances, broaden your handbell musical experience, and expose yourself to ringing under different conducting styles.

And at many festivals, choirs are looking to fill in positions for absent members. So far I've been welcomed as an orphan ringer in Raleigh, Topeka, Plymouth (Minnesota), Omaha, and at last year's Twelfth Night Festival in Las Vegas.

 So if you're wondering about how to make 2012 a varied handbell experience, attend more festivals. And if your choir can't go, go as an orphan. If interested, ask the contacts listed for the various events. They'll give you an honest response.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Cheers!

Julie Vaquilar

bayarea@areaxii.org 

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Happy New Year Handbell Musicians,

I am sure that all of us are celebrating the end of a busy holiday season full of concerts. Hopefully we all can take a breather before starting on our next venture.

Perhaps your handbell choir is already making some New Year resolutions such as playing more often, doing more outreach concerts, planning to attend at least one festival or workshop, planning to recruit new ringers, and definitely planning to attend the Area 12 Disneyland conference the end of June.

Northern California's new event coming up January 28 is Redding

Bronze and it will be held in Redding, California. The final concert is open to the public and is free. Please refer to the Area 12 calendar of events to find out what is happening around the northern part of the state.

Ringcerely,

Nancy Schmitt
norcal@areaxii.org

Happy New Year Nevada!

There are barely two weeks left before the 20th annual Las Vegas 12th Night. Don't miss this major anniversary of our big local event!

Saturday-Sunday, January 14-15, 2012 

Las Vegas Nevada
Clinician: David Weck

The Handbell Musicians of America Master Series provides a unique opportunity for participants to develop their skills as a conductor, composer, director or ringer. Acquire personalized one-on-one instruction from our master clinicians during this 3-day event at the beautiful Hilton El Conquistador in Tucson, Arizona. You will gain hands-on experience in a nurturing and supportive environment. For more information about class requirements and the application process, check out the national web site.

And the 15th International Handbell Symposium is happening next summer in Liverpool. All the details and registration information can be found on the national web site.