January is a time when most people make resolutions to change something in their lives to become better. Our health and well-being isn’t the only area where we may experience changes. Our handbell programs may also be experiencing changes. When we have an active program, change is inevitable. Some ringers may find that they need to take a step back and leave the ensemble. We may be blessed to welcome new ringers. There may be a changeover in leadership. There may be a growth in the program by adding another ensemble or by stepping up to a new advanced level of music. Whatever the changes are, I find that it is important to embrace the changes. Some may get anxious with change, and others may get excited. When we embrace the changes, we create a positive atmosphere for our ensembles. | |
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Now that we are settling into 2024 with the start of February, our changes should also be starting to settle in. One of those changes is the style of music. For church ensembles, we are moving from joyous celebrations to reflective Lenten music, and, at the same time, preparing for another big joyous celebration for Easter. For school and community groups, we might be changing our repertoire to reflect more pop, contemporary, and lighter music. I know in my groups, we tend to play more serious music in the fall and lighter, pop music in the spring. Whatever changes your ensemble is going through, I want to encourage you to make the best of them and enjoy the changes.
If the changes bring about struggles that you are not sure how to deal with, please reach out. Your board members are here to help, and we may have a suggestion or two. At the bottom of the newsletter, you will find contact information for all of the board members including your Regional Coordinator.
Speaking of changes, one of the big changes the board is working on is a new youth handbell conference in the fall of 2024! In addition to the area “Go Nuts with Area 12 in Modesto” conference in June, we will be sponsoring “Bellz! The Next Generation” youth conference in September. Please see the information further down in the newsletter for more information on both events!
Happy Ringing!
Marci
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Go Nuts with Area 12
in Modesto
June 20-22, 2024
Director: Barbara Meinke
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It’s time! Registration has opened!
Area 12 is excited to hold our 2024 conference in Modesto at First United Methodist Church, Modesto.
We have Area 12’s very own Barbara Meinke coming to direct all the ringing: Mixed Nuts (massed ringing), Almonds division, and Pistachios division. We are going to learn so much under her baton!
We have classes! Thursday classes will focus on Director’s needs (although ringers will also find them useful). The variety of Friday and Saturday classes will be sure to appeal to everyone.
We have all the information and the link for registration on our website. Visit today and get all the tasty details!
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Ringing opportunities for Mixed Nuts (massed),
Almonds & Pistachios (divisional ringing)
Classes and repertoire TBA
Registration cost: $175/person; $150/person for groups of 8 or more
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT - register by April 24, 2024 to receive a $25/person discount.
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Call for Classes/Faculty
Do you have a great idea for a class? Do you have handbell knowledge you think everyone should know? Do you have a fun new handbell game or activity you want to share? Tell us about it! We are asking YOU to apply to teach a class, lead an activity or game, and/or share your handbell knowledge with Area 12. Go fill out the class/faculty application and tell us all about it!
Here’s the link: Class/Faculty Application
I am looking forward to reading your great ideas!
-Michèle Sharik, Chair-Elect
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Youth Ringing Conference
Friday and Saturday | September 27/28, 2024
Concordia University, Irvine
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Hello friends,
I hope you are all excited about the many things Area 12 has in store for 2024. I am particularly excited about Bellz! The Next Generation. Youth ringers from grades 6 - 12 will have an opportunity to work with a fabulous director at the beautiful Concordia campus in Irvine, CA. This two day event will be held September 27 - 28, 2024. Registration opens on February 24. Space is limited, so register quickly to reserve your spot. Both groups and individuals are welcome! Check out the event website for all the latest details.
I can't wait to see the handbell music from the Next Generation of ringers!
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Your Area 12 Board hard at work at the January board meeting! | |
Next Area 12 Board Meeting: February 23-24, 2024 | Upland, CA | |
to submit YOUR event!
(and get a social media push!)
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Check out all the membership options and benefits for Handbell Musicians of America HERE.
Current Area 12
Member Count:
181
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Take advantage of the Area 12 website to publicize your group. Click here to list your group or soloist. (Looking for a community group or soloist to play for an event, see the list here.)
Have an upcoming concert? Submit it here or use the calendar link above.
Need a ringer? Need a director? Have extra equipment; need equipment? Submit it here or use the wanted link above.
Questions? Please contact the webmaster.
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For information on Far Northern California concerts, events, and other opportunities, click here.
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As I was listening to our Pastor’s sermon yesterday she made a statement that I had not thought about before. She said that even though we are told that practice makes perfect, what we really should be told is PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT! Why? If we practice something wrong, such as a wrong note or maybe a wrong rhythm, and keep practicing it WRONG over and over until perfect, it really isn’t perfect, but instead it is permanent. I will now be very careful about using the phrase “practice makes perfect.” | |
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I would like to share a card that I received too late for the January Twelfth Tone, but in time for this month’s article. It is from Linda Dionne, Director of Bella Norte Bells in Eureka.
She writes: "My bell group has truly emerged from COVID this year, bringing joy to an adult daycare facility in Arcata, a senior living facility in Eureka, providing 'lobby entertainment' at the historic Eureka Inn, and participating in a concert in Fortuna."
As always, I love hearing from directors as to what their groups are doing or planning to do. That’s the best way to keep me up to date as to what is happening in Far Northern California. If you are planning a workshop or concert please let me know so I can get that event on the Area 12 calendar. If you have questions about how to plan an event please let me know and I will try to help you.
Wishing you all the best in 2024,
Nancy Schmitt
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For information on Southern Nevada concerts, events, and other opportunities, click here. | |
12th Night Handbell Festival | The Twelfth Night Handbell festival was a success! We had over 80 ringers from Nevada, California, and Arizona who all played under the direction of Jason Krug. There were ringers with ages from high school to retirees for this day and a half event. Next year’s event will be on January 10-11 with guest clinician Sandra Eithun. Hope to see you there! | |
The 12th Night Handbell Festival was endorsed by Handbell Musicians of America, dedicated to uniting people through the musical art of handbell and handchime ringing. www.handbellmusicians.org | |
For information on LA Metro area concerts, events, and other opportunities, click here. | |
LA Metro Q&A with Erik Der | |
Q: Is LA Metro a public transit line?
A: Yes, but in this context LA Metro refers to handbell happenings in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and surrounding areas in Southern California. Maybe we'll start a handbell rideshare one day.
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Q: I am a member or director of a handbell group in the region. Can you help us get the word out about our upcoming concerts or other performances? What if I want to share some happy news or performance videos in this newsletter?
A: Email me and I'll help get the word out about your ensemble's concerts, events, or I can share videos & other news about your ensemble in this newsletter. Please be in touch! LAMetro.Area12@HandbellMusicians.org
Q: What is the secret to improving my ensemble's skills?
A: Sign your ensemble(s) up to attend the HMA endorsed Young Ringers Festival (grades 8 and below) or Handbell Invitational (high school & adult). Here is a list of upcoming events in the area:
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For information on Northern Nevada concerts, events, and other opportunities, click here.
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I am not a good piano player. I can read those stacked chords fine, hear what it's supposed to sound like in my head, and identify what the chord is, all in probably less than a second, but to get my hands to actually play those exact notes is another matter entirely. I can more easily make up something that sounds similar to what's on the page (that's the only way I managed to pass piano proficiency and theory application exams). My hand eye coordination is obviously lacking a connection that only practice over time helps. | |
Same coin, but different side. Just recently I had another person who plays piano well want to try playing bells. She was continually frustrated by not being able to keep up because she just couldn't seem to keep track of her two notes. Now I've had many keyboard players take to bell ringing with very little effort, but this is the third time this has happened in just a few years. My best guess is that just like all instrumentalists, we learn to skip over the note decoding part and our fingers automatically move to that fingering. In other words, when I play flute, I see an A, but I don't actually think, "That's an A and I finger it like this." I just move my fingers to cover the proper holes. Is that what's happening to some piano players? Do they only feel in their hands how the whole chord should be played and are unable to focus and find single notes, or is it something else? Anyone out there have advice? As a teacher, I'm used to figuring out how people best learn, but this has me stumped and I'd sure like these musicians to be able to enjoy ringing bells! | | |
For information on Southern California concerts, events, and other opportunities, click here.
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The SoCal Spring Ring is sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America, dedicated to uniting people through the musical art of handbell and handchime ringing. www.handbellmusicians.org
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Frist of all, I want to say thank you to all those who filled out the questionnaire about what works, what doesn’t work, and other suggestions for our Spring Rings! Some of you asked me to contact you to talk about it more and I will do that soon. I want to hear all of your ideas! For those who missed it & would like to participate, it’s not too late. Here’s the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GDBYLMG
Speaking of Spring Ring, I’ll have the registration materials available very soon, but in the mean time, here’s our repertoire:
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Bronze Vision
The Banana Boat Song*, arr. by Sondra K. Tucker (Level 3)
From the Top
3-6 octaves handbells, 3-4 octaves handchimes, with optional percussion (bongos, maracas, claves, rainstick, windchimes, and bamboo chimes), Level 3
FM20521-HB: Handbell score
FM20521-P: Percussion parts
FM20521-M: Full score
The Bells in My Heart, by Kazuko Okamoto (No level given, but probably a Level 3)
Seibunsha International: MSI100
3-5 octaves handbells, 2 octaves handchimes
Massed Ringing
Oh, Happy Morning*, by Cathy Moklebust (Level 1+)
Choristers Guild
CGB1310: 2-3 octaves handbells or handchimes
CGB1311: 3-5 octaves handbells or handchimes
CGB1309: Full score, including reproducible optional percussion parts (gankokwe, caxixi, shekere, and djembe)
Ton Moulin (Your Windmill), arr. by Valerie Stephenson (Level 2)
From the Top: 20141
3-5 octaves handbells, 3-5 octaves handchimes
For the Beauty of the Earth, arr. by Brenda E. Austin (Level 2+)
GIA Publications: G9123
3-5 octaves handbells, with optional 2 octave handchimes
Towers, by Cathy Moklebust (Level 3+ - but don’t let that scare you! There are only 6 measure in the middle that may require special attention in rehearsal.)
AGEHR Publishing: AG35178
3-5 octaves handbells
*included in the repertoire for Go Nuts with Area 12 in Modesto
My best,
-Michèle
Save the date!
Friday May 3 & Saturday May 4, 2024
SoCal Spring Ring & Bronze Vision
with Elizabeth Mays Loebig, clinician
St. Thomas More Church, Oceanside
The SoCal Spring Ring is sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America, dedicated to uniting people through the musical art of handbell and handchime ringing. www.handbellmusicians.org
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For information on Southern California concerts, events, and other opportunities, click here.
| The Area 12 event is endorsed by Handbell Musicians of America, dedicated to uniting people through the musical art of handbell and handchime ringing. www.handbellmusicians.org | |
2024 Bay Area Spring Ring Canceled | |
Since 2015, the volunteers on the Handbell Ventures Board have worked to ensure the continuation of the Bay Area Spring Ring. Last year, following the Covid shutdown, we were able to bring back the Spring Ring, and we were pleased to see so many ringers return to this exciting annual event.
This past year, our team executed organizational adjustments and dealt with several personal issues. Because of these additional challenges, the 2024 Bay Area Spring Ring has been canceled. We deeply regret having to make this decision. We invite handbell ringers to instead attend the Handbell Musicians of America (HMA) Area 12 event this summer in Modesto. More information on those events can be found on the HMA Area 12 website (https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/gonuts-splash/).
We look forward to seeing you next year for the 2025 Bay Area Spring Ring!
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Our National Organization (click logos to get more info!) | |
The Twelfth Tone is published on or around 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.
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Teachers: Would you like the use of a three octave set of handbells or handchimes to add interest and a new dimension to your music class?
Area 12 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 12 has six 3-octave sets of handbells and three 3-octave sets of handchimes for loan.
To learn more about the responsibilities and procedures for participating in this program, click here.
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