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Our National
Organization
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Tip of the
Month
Does your member group have its own website? We will list it for you on the new Area 12 website!
Check it out here
Have a tip to share?
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It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, of handbells that is!
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Message from the Chair - Mich�le Sharik
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Hi there, Area 12!
This past Saturday I attended the Southern California Spring Ring in Murrieta. Over 100 ringers from all over the SoCal, LA Metro, and even Southern Nevada regions attended to work with conductor Margi Zearley and teachers Alex Guebert, Barbara Meinke, and me. By all measures, it was a successful event. Big thanks to Barbara Meinke and the Bells of Hope (from Hope Lutheran Church in Temecula) for hosting this event. Barbara took over organizational duties when our SoCal Regional Coordinator had to step down for family obligations, and she did a fabulous job! Thank you, Barbara! Speaking of events, your Board of Directors met almost two weeks ago and decided that we'd like to re-implement the position of Events Coordinator for Area 12. If you have, or know someone who has, event planning and/or administrative experience, please contact me so we can talk about the duties and responsibilities of this position. Coming up in September is a National endeavor called "Month of Handbells." The goal of this initiative is to find unused bell sets and help to start (or restart) a bell program in that church or school. This first effort will focus on churches. Handbell Musicians of America will reach out via the American Guild of Organists, Choristers Guild, and other organizations and invite Music Directors, Organists, and Choir Directors to attend FREE events around the country. At these events, attendees will learn about handbell techniques, handbell resources, and the ins and outs of a handbell program. Area 12 is already busily scheduling these events, so watch the August and September newsletters for more details. Meanwhile, we would appreciate your help! If you know of a bell set that is currently unused, please contact either your Regional Coordinator or me. Thanks! I would like to announce that Kendra Scott is our new Bay Area Regional Coordinator! She will tell us about herself next month, but for now, please join me in welcoming her to your board!Finally, at our recent board meeting, we did a lot of planning for the 2016 Area Conference, to be held in Modesto, June 16-19, 2016. This newsletter contains information that you need to know, including a call for presenters, so be sure to keep reading!
As always, my best to you all,
Mich�le Sharik
Chair
chair.area12@handbellmusicians.org
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Area 12 Ringers' Festival Conference - June 16-19, 2016
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Communiqu� - Barbara Meinke, Communications Director
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Area 12 for the WIN!
Area 12 is blessed to be among the movers and shakers in the handbell community! We have college students paving the way for formal education in handbell musicianship (see the LA Metro article below). We have rock solid long-timers and innovative new-comers working together to create opportunities to advance our art. We have conductors and teachers and composers and ensembles who are carving a clear path for handbells to carry on for many more generations. The best part? We get to be a part of this blossoming tree!
Most recently, Area 12's own Alex Guebert, from Orange, CA, won Bells of the Cascades 25th Anniversary Composition Contest with his piece "Out of the Silent Planet." Check out information on its premier by clicking here! Congratulations, Alex!
Got a great accomplishment to share? Submit it to me and maybe it will appear in our newsletter or on our website!
Barbara Meinke
Communications Director
communications.area12@handbellmusicians.org
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No. Nevada - Barb Walsh, Regional Coordinator
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Howdy!
What an amazing, musical day! Our 13th Annual Sierra Spring Ring started out ominously with a heavy snowfall in the foothills and over Donner Pass. So much so, one of our groups on the California side couldn't drive over that morning and had only two hardy representatives who decided to drive over the night before.
The ringers were so well prepared that we actually got to work on interpreting the music and pour our hearts and souls into the beautiful pieces. It was awesome to have a group of 56 ringers ring as one ensemble! The solo pieces shared by most of the individual ensembles were rung well and fun to watch. Thank you for such a wonderful day!
Coming up!
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
South Reno
United Methodist Church
free concert open to the public at 12:15 p.m.
This event is sponsored by the Handbell Musicians of America.
Barbara Walsh
Northern Nevada Regional Coordinator
nv.area12@handbellmusicians.org
For information on Northern Nevada's concerts, events,
and other opportunities, click here.
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No. California - Nancy Schmitt, Regional Coordinator
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Hello, Northern California!
SAVE THE DATE!
Redding Handbell Festival
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Redding, CA
So, what happens there? This is an endorsed event that features massed ringing, bronze level ringing, outstanding clinicians and bell classes, then culminates in a final concert open to the public. Did I mention FUN, FOOD, and FELLOWSHIP?!
Our guest conductors will be Tessique Houston (massed ringing) and Larry Sue (Red Zone Bronze Choir). One hour classes will include basic ringing, beginning bell trees, beyond beginning bell trees, maori sticks, movement, bell maintenance, percussion instruments used with bells, and a JAM session playing through Level 2 and 3 music. Clinicians will be Mary Balkow, Diane Barnes, Julie Hunziker, Dwayne Corbin, Mel Tully, and Tess. The event takes place at Simpson University in Redding. Check the Area 12 calendar for registration forms. This event is endorsed by Handbell Musicians of America.
I always look forward to hearing from you about your local workshops or concerts, so please send that information to me so we can promote your special event.
Ringcerely,
Northern California Regional Coordinator
For information on Northern California's concerts, events,
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So. Nevada - Alison Pruett, Regional Coordinator
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Las Vegas Twelfth Night Handbell Festival
is returning!
January 9, 2016
Clinician Barbara Meinke will direct four massed ringing pieces and all groups will be invited to perform a solo piece.
We are still seeking a venue, so if you or someone you know would be able to host this event, please get in touch with me ASAP! This event will be sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America Area 12.
To receive updates on this event, email me RIGHT NOW and I'll put you on the direct contact list, making sure you get all information as soon as it's available.
Alison Pruett
Southern Nevada Regional Coordinator
vegas.area12@handbellmusicians.org
For information on Southern Nevada's concerts, events,
and other opportunities, click here.
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International Symposium 2016
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On The Annual Bay Area School Handbell Festival
Held on March 26 at the All Saints Catholic School in Hayward, almost 130 students rang together under the clear direction of Tessique Houston, our own Area 12 chair-elect. Two massed pieces were rung by all, and two each in the two divisions. Added to that were six solo performances by the schools attending which made a very nice afternoon concert for the parents and student body of All Saints.
Thank you to Dian Ruder, event organizer, and Steven J. Meyer, site host. We have room for a couple more schools, so we hope you'll join us next year!
Welcome to your new Bay Area Regional Coordinator, Kendra Scott! We'll hear from her starting in June!
For information on San Francisco
Bay Area's concerts, events,
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So. California - COULD BE YOU!, Regional Coordinator
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So Cal Spring Ring a HUGE Success!
Read all about it in Mich�le's article above!
And save April 16, 2016 for a single day, all massed ringing event you won't want to miss!
So Cal Region is looking for a coordinator! Won't you please raise your hand?
Send email to Mich�le Sharik or Barbara Meinke. We'll treat you to lunch while we tell you all about it!
Southern California Regional Coordinator
socal.area12@handbellmusicians.org
This email address IS being monitored!
For information on Southern California's concerts, events,
and other opportunities, click here.
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Central California - Lori Smith, Regional Coordinator
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Hello CenCal Folks,
The Central Coast Spring Ring was held at Zion Lutheran Church in Zion Lutheran Church. Many thanks go to Shirley Werner and her team for organizing, Vicki Ewart and her team from Zion for hosting, and Mary Balkow for being clinician and bringing fun ideas. Sixty-seven registrants enjoyed a full day of ringing, learning, and laughing.
Around noon, a delivery person from town dropped off an order to the kitchen. At that moment, we were rehearsing "Chanson" (arr. Kenneth Lowenbert). The sweet sound of the bells caught his attention and he suddenly looked up and said, "Oooohhhhhh!" Mary brought a new piece she had arranged, "Stompin." Inspired by the Broadway show "Stomp", which utilizes trash can lids, plastic buckets and push brooms, Mary asked each ringer to bring a non-traditional item from home which would make a fun sound. Some of the "new" instruments included
corrogated plastic lid (played wash-board style)
commuter coffee mug
klaxon
dust pan
aluminum lid from a sauce pan
Velcro tennis ball on Velcro Frisbee
cardboard oatmeal cansiter
glass bottle
aluminum loaf pan with thimbles worn on fingers
metal bucket
Doritos chip bag
I'm already looking forward to next year's event in the Central Coast area!
Lori Smith
Central California Regional Coordinator
For information on Central California's concerts, events,
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LA Metro - Scott Leggett, Regional Coordinator
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Happy concert season!
It always seems to be that May is one of busiest months for concerts outside of Christmas. Time is one thing I know we all feel short of, but I do encourage you to seek out handbell concerts this month and support their programs.
I was privileged this week to attend the Azusa Pacific University Handbell Choir's spring concert conducted by Area 12's own Historian, Elizabeth Mays, who was completing her graduate recital in instrumental conducting. She conducted a very entertaining and well rung program. Congratulations to her!
Although I am disappointed LA Metro was not able to have our Spring Ring, that same event will be held in January as a "Winter Ring" at the same location with Christine Anderson as our clinician. Stay tuned for the confirmed date. I am also finalizing plans for a fall ringers workshop in October which will be geared for those choirs playing level 1 and 2 music with massed ringing and basic ringing technique classes.
I close with one of my favorite quotes about music:
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything." -- Plato
Scott Leggett
Los Angeles Metro Regional Coordinator
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Hawaii - Karen Carlisle, Regional Coordinator
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