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 The Twelfth Tone
 
Area 12 Newsletter
August 2013
In This Issue
West Coast Handbell Supply
Heitz Handbells and Music
Concerts at a Glance
Area 12 Board
Calendar of Events
Bell/Chime Loan Program
Advertising with Us
Handbell Resources
WestCoast 
Handbell Supply 
 
WestCoast Lt. Wagon 2
For
 Handbell Music,
Supplies, and  Service
  
Toll Free  888-775-WEST 
Call: 559-625-5111
Fax: 559-741-7346 

 

orders@

westcoasthandbells.com

 

westcoasthandbells.com 

  

P.O. Box 4361
Visalia, CA 93278-4361
Norm Heitz and Carol Scheel  present 

 

Heitz Handbells Logo

 

A full service handbell store:

 music, equipment and maintenance items, bell tree, solo, ensemble music, Malmark bells, Choirchimes� and products

 

 www.heitzhandbells.com

 
See you in Portland!
 

 612-208-1741

1 (877 or 866) 426-3235

[email protected]

 

6603 Queen Ave S, Suite S

Richfield, MN   55423

Concerts at a Glance
Please see the Calendar of Events below for full details.  
 

CenCal

  

Kiriku Handbell Ensemble

Thursday, August 1

7:30 p.m.

St. John's Lutheran Church

4500 Buena Vista Road
Bakersfield, California

Freewill offering

For information contact
P.L. Grove - [email protected]

LA Metro   


Kiriku Handbell Ensemble

Sunday, August 4

7:30 p.m.

Los Altos United Methodist Church
5950 East Willow Avenue
Long Beach, California
Freewill offering
For information contact
P.L. Grove - [email protected]

 

SoCal

 

Kiriku Handbell Ensemble

Friday, August 2

7:30 p.m.

First Unitarian Universalist Church
4190 Front Street
San Diego, California
Freewill offering
For information contact
P.L. Grove - [email protected]

 

  To view all the events on the

Area 12 calendar click here


Or go to the Areas portion of our web site (click on your state or area at top of home page) to see which concerts and events are happening near you.
Area 12 Board
A12 HMA Logo Vertical
Elected Officers
Rima GreerPast Chair
Michele SharikChair Elect
Kathy ArnoldTreasurer
Ruben MendozaSecretary

Appointed Officers
Barbara Meinke,Communication
Tess HoustonEducation
Debbie ShawEvents
Beth MaysHistorian
Mel Tully, Vendor Liaison
P.L. GroveWebmaster

Regional Coordinators
Julie VaquilarBay Area
Lori SmithCenCal
Barbara WalshNevada
Nancy SchmittNorCal
Local Liaison
Dixie BaileyLas Vegas
Our National
Organization 

Handbell Musicians of America

last call 
September 1 is the deadline for making nominations for the National Board and we need more nominations! Get more information at
 
Honorary Life Membership Award Nominations are being accepted now!

 

Like us on Facebook
Calendar of Events 
August - September

  

Kiriku Handbell Ensemble

Concert Tour

See detailed information above.


Saturday, August 10, 2013
1:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Concordia University, Irvine, CA
sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America Area 12

  Your event can appear here!

 
To view all the events on the
Area 12 calendar, click here.
Quick Links

Join Our Mailing List
Area 12 Bell Loan Program
cartoon bells  
Teachers, would you like the use of a 3 octave set of handbells or handchimes to add interest and a new dimension to your music class? Area 12 encourages schools and other educa-tional institutions, both public and private, to develop educational programs using handbells and handchimes. To support the development of such programs, Area 12 has two sets of 3 octaves of handbells and three sets of 3 octaves of handchimes for loan. Deadlines for applica-tions are 5/31 for the Fall Semester and 10/30 for the Spring Semester. To learn more about the responsibilities and procedures for participating in this program
Advertising Rates for the 2013 Publishing Year

The Twelfth Tone is published the first of each month, except July, by Area 12 of the Handbell Musicians of America (The Guild). The Guild is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the musical art of handbell/handchime ringing through education, community, and communication. The editor of this publication reserves the right to reject or modify copy.

Advertising Rates: 

We offer two different ad types

1.(a) 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.
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2.(a) 1.5" X 4" 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 to be formatted by the editor.
$15/issue               $81/6 issues                $140/11 issues

2.(b) 1.5" X 8" 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 to be formatted by the editor.
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Payment is due before publication. Submission DEADLINE is the 24th 

Please submit your ads via email to
Barbara Meinke, Communications Director

Make checks payable to
AGEHR Area 12
and send to:
Kathy Arnold, Treasurer
1228 Isabelle Avenue
Mountain View, CA 94040

Greetings!    

 

WOW! National Seminar never disappoints, and this year in Portland was no exception! Read some of the reflections below and consider joining us in Atlanta in July 2014. It's not too late to get in some last minute summer bell fun in Area 12, like a fabulous concert by Kiriku from Japan or a summer workshop on Handbell Artistry by Kimberlee Strepka, sponsored by the LA Metro and So Cal Regions. And if you're already planning your fall season, consider the fall festivals and workshops in Redding, CA and Glendale, CA.


Laurie Sanders
 
I can't believe that summer is almost over! Many of you are returning from National Seminar in Portland and I am so jealous of the great time you all seem to have had. The concerts, the classes... there's nothing like that energy to get you ready and revved up to start a new year!

Here are couple of announcements of which I hope you'll take note. 
 
One - Kiriku in Concert!  GO. Even if you have to move mountains and travel great distances, GO! I promise it will be well worth your time and effort!

Two - those of you in Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties, we really need a Regional Coordinator! If you have a few hours a month, you like to organize things, and think you might be interested but aren't sure what the job entails, please
send Michele Sharik  or me an email. We'd be happy to explain.

Lastly, your Area Board meeting is in September. We'll be planning out new experiences for you all, as well as continuing our work on the 2014 Conference. If you have any things you'd like to see happen or any questions for us, please let us know. Knowing what you'd like to have offered (as far as classes and opportunities)
makes our jobs easier!

Enjoy the rest of your summer. Winter is coming!

Laurie Sanders

Chair

[email protected]

Communiqu� 
Barbara Meinke

Wow! What a week! What great opportunities our Guild gives us! Opportunites to perform, to learn, to experience, to network, to connect with other people who love what we love! I can't imagine being a handbell musician in a world without those connections.

This last week at National Seminar, I performed in a lunch time concert, brushed up on my music theory through the Guild's certification course and learned how to block a solo (to name only 2 of the 14 sessions I took!), and experienced the exceptional musicianship of Kiriku Handbell Ensemble and Hong Kong Youth Handbell Ensemble and other fine groups from our own back yard! I enjoyed meals and shared ideas with friends and colleagues from around the country. All of these things facilitated by OUR Guild. What a blessing! Next year National Seminar will be in Atlanta, GA, July 15-18. You can pre-register, securing this year's price for next year's conference, right now! Check out the July E-Notes for information on how to do that!

And the fun continues on this summer! Take advantage of great Area 12 opportunities in central and southern California as Kiriku continues its west coast concert tour on August 1, 2 and 4 and on August 10, Kimberlee Strepka joins us to present her "Handbell Artistry from the Inside Out" at Concordia University in Irvine.

Stay on top of these and other events all over the country by keeping your membership current! Check your expiration date by logging into your account at handbellmusicians.org or looking on the mailing label of your Overtones bimonthly magazine. What? You aren't personally a member? You don't get Overtones or E-Notes or Event Notes or access to Online Resources? Then join now as a full or sub member (of a full member group) to get all the benefits of "being in the know" delivered directly to you! Check out Join the Guild to see what fills your need and how you can support the Guild that gives so much to us!

 
Barbara Meinke
Communications Director
LA Metro - Pearl Marshall, Regional Coordinator
Pearl Marshall Photo
  

 August Greetings,

 LAMetro Ringers and Directors!
last call

LAST CALL!

   

to get in on this AMAZING opportunity!


Kimberlee Strepka presents

Handbell Artistry for Directors and Ringers

August 10, 2013

On August 10, SoCal and LAMetro Regions are hosting this special opportunity. The informational flyer and registration form are still available on our website.


PLEASE NOTE: It's NOT too late to join us! Just present your registration form and fee when you arrive. Please send me an email message informing me of your intention to attend so I'll know how many places to set! [email protected]


LA Regional Events 2013-2014 NEW INFORMATION:

FALL RINGERS WORKSHOP

October 5, 2013

Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena
Massed Conductor, P.L. Grove 

 

 YOUTH HANDBELL FESTIVAL

November 2, 2013
Los Altos United Methodist Church in Long Beach
Massed Conductor, Tess Houston

The information flyers for the fall events will be posted on the
Area 12 website very soon! Keep an eye out!

FEBRUARY "FOCUS" WORKSHOP
Saturday, February 8, 2014

1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
St. Mel Church in Woodland Hills
We are still open to ideas for our "focus" topic.

Here's your chance to dream!

If you had 3 hours to focus on one skill, what would it be?

Email me with any suggestions. We can make it happen!

SPRING RING

Early March, 2014
We are still looking for a venue for our Spring Ring. 

Please contact me if you would like to host this event. 
[email protected]

RINGERS WANTED 

This is the best time of year to post in the "Ringers Wanted" section of our webpage. I do know of several choirs who have filled their ranks by using this resource. All it takes is a quick email including your rehearsal day and time, location, and contact info where potential ringers can reach you.

 

Ring on!

 

Pearl Marshall

LA Metro Regional Coordinator

[email protected]    

 

Find us on Facebook

NorCal - Nancy Schmitt, Regional Coordinator
Nancy Schmitt
 
Hello, fellow ringers and directors! 


Summertime is upon us and most of you are probably on vacation, so I will make this short, sweet, and to the point!  

 

  

 

 

Saturday, October 12, 2013 

9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Simpson University Heritage Life Center
Guest Conductor: Barbara Meinke

Redding, CA


and attached to the festival is

 

  Ringin' in the Red Zone Bronze Choir 

 Friday, October 11, 2013

6:00 p.m.

Simpson University Heritage Life Center

 Guest Conductor: Larry Sue

Redding, CA


For the registration forms,

please visit the Northern California page at www.areaxii.org.

 

After you submit your registration, sit back and enjoy the rest of your summer!

 

Ringcerely,

 

Nancy Schmitt

NorCal Regional Coordinator  

Bay Area - Julie Vaquilar, Regional Coordinator
Julie and Martalina

 

   

Hello, Bay Area Ringers!

I hope you are having a fabulous summer! For most of us, this means a break from our regular handbell choirs and time off for summer travel. Travel and handbells? I get the best of both worlds!

One of the benefits of Handbell Musicians of America membership is the opportunity to participate in local, state, area, national, and international events. Through HMA, I've attended handbell festivals in Bremerton (WA), Topeka (KS), Nashville (TN), New Bern (NC), Plymouth (MN), Las Vegas (NV), and Liverpool (UK).

Every other month, Overtones, the guild's official magazine, arrives in my mailbox and becomes available online (check out Barbara's article above for a great way to get this great resource!). In addition to articles and a calendar of events, it includes handbell related ads. That's how I found out about Virtuoso 2013, an "extraordinary performance experience," organized by the Raleigh Ringers. It was my big summer handbell trip this year and the best handbell weekend ever!

If you are already a member, maybe I'll see you in Korea next year for the 16th International Handbell Symposium. And if you are not a member and want more info, click here!

Happy Ringing!

Julie Vaquilar 

Bay Area Regional Coordinator

[email protected] 

 

P.S. For a recap on the Virtuoso event, check out The Handbell Brothers' Blog at http://handbellbrothers.com/backstage-with-the-raleigh-ringers-thoughts-from-places/

 

Find us on Facebook  

CenCal - Lori Smith, Regional Coordinator
Lori Smith

 

Hello CenCal Ringers,
 

I attended this year's National Seminar in Portland, Oregon and it was fabulous! As a first-timer, I was amazed at the variety of classes, concerts, vendors, and creative ideas.


My discoveries during the event:

- So many great sounds from all those diverse percussion instruments. Now let's find the right bell music in which to include them.

- When Change-Ringing is performed by progressively repositioning the ringers with their assigned bell, it looks at lot like the Contra-Dancing I used to do.

- Mallet technique: Thumb and forefinger, balance, fulcrum, bounce... Now I've a much better chance of striking the bell correctly!

- Did you listen closely when Kiriku (ensemble from Japan) dipped their bells in the bowl of water? The sound had this quirky bending quality. So fun!

There will always be some new insight, experience, or technique you can gain from any bell event you attend.

 

Happy ringing!  

Lori Smith

CenCal Regional Coordinator  

Nevada - Barb Walsh, Regional Coordinator

Barb Walsh Headshot 

 

Thank you to Derek Nance for sharing this excerpt from his reflection on performing for National Seminar. If you would like to read the whole reflection, please visit

The Handbell Brothers' Blog.

 

 

Performing for handbell ringers is intimidating and exhilarating!

 

I will admit that the prospect of ringing for 600+ bell ringers was a bit intimidating. Not only was that just a large audience, every member in the audience was familiar with bells and knew what to watch for. But there was something magical about ringing in front of that audience. Maybe it was the fact that we had already performed that concert a dozen times, or the fact that this would be our only time to show off, but what ever happened the hour and twenty minute concert we performed was the most magical time I have ever spent on a stage. I have been ringing for a dozen years now, and that is the first concert I can honestly say that I left everything on that stage. After watching the recording from the concert, it is clear that everyone else in the group did exactly the same thing. The photo below is our group's picture just moments after coming off stage and you can see the glow in everyone's faces. We all felt incredibly lucky to be chosen for this honor, and we didn't waste one moment of it.

 

Tintab

 

One of my favorite moments on stage came while we were ringing "Pirates of the Caribbean". The Hong Kong Youth Handbell Ensemble was in the audience, and they were scheduled to perform the same piece at their concert later that week. When I looked out in the audience I saw all of them air belling along to our performance and watching their positions on the tables. To be that close to your audience is an amazing experience, and I caught myself air belling to their performance later that week. (Although our group did not look as cute in pirate costumes as their group did!)

 

Thank you again to the National Board that gave us this opportunity, and thank you to everyone who came up afterwards with kind words about our performance. Sunday evening when we were sitting around in the hotel all we could ask ourselves was "how do we beat this next summer?"

 

* * * * * * * *  

As always, please let me know of handbell happenings in Nevada so I can help you promote them and holler if I can be of help!

 

Barbara Walsh

Nevada Regional Coordinator

[email protected]

SoCal - Vacant, Regional Coordinator
last call

LAST CALL!

      

It's not too late!

 
Kimberlee Strepka presents

Handbell Artistry for Directors and Ringers

August 10, 2013 

On August 10, SoCal and LAMetro Regions are hosting this special opportunity. The informational flyer and registration form are still available on our website.

 

PLEASE NOTE: It's NOT too late to join us! Just present your registration form and fee when you arrive. Please send an email message informing Pearl Marshall of your intention to attend so she'll know how many places to set!

[email protected]

 

 

San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial and San Diego Counties need YOU!

 

Contact Laurie Sanders or

Michele Sharik to learn more about how you can serve our

                                              Southern California Region

Could Be You! 

SoCal Regional Coordinator

[email protected]       

 

 Find us on Facebook