"the best in our business get that way by being just as supportive as they are demanding"

National Seminar - Hartford, Connecticut - 2024

Seminar 2024 - where do I begin? Concerts, classes, comradery. Reuniting with old friends and making new ones. These were all part of the equation. Nothing is like attending the Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar.  

I had not attended National since before COVID, so I wondered how different things would be. I needn't have worried - things were just as wonderful as I remembered. There is something very special about gathering together with handbell musicians from all over our country - actually from all over the world. It’s like being in a little handbell cocoon for a week. Everyone is there for one purpose: to learn how to make the art of our instrument better. That can be through taking classes on a wide variety of topics from the top teachers. That can be through taking in fabulous concerts presented by some of the best choirs in the country. Or it could be just from visiting over lunch with someone who shares some of the same challenges that you do. Every time, I am reminded how unique our instrument is in that the people involved are so incredibly supportive of each other.  

The best reinforcement I had of that was at the Master Series in Conducting, which I participated in the first part of the week. Now conducting under the watchful eye of Dr. Bill Payn can be pretty intimidating, so I decided to participate as a ringer/observer. That gave me the opportunity to drink in all of the wisdom he passed on to the 13 other conducting students without having the stress of conducting in front of the master! Plus, I was able to ring challenging music alongside some of the best ringers.  

I learned many great things about conducting, but the best thing was a reinforcement of what I already knew: the best in our business get that way by being just as supportive as they are demanding. Some students were seasoned conductors, some were beginners. Dr. Payn met each one right where they were, but never let up on getting each student to improve. He was kind, compassionate, and encouraging, all while breaking bad habits and instructing new techniques and philosophies. We watched each student blossom and rise to the occasion over the four days, taking us ringers right along with them.  

I feel privileged to be a part of our greater handbell community - one that strives for excellence, one that is innovative, one that is full of crazy, diverse personalities - but most importantly one that is focused on success by building each other up and sharing knowledge. I encourage you to take advantage of any of the handbell events near you - I think you will observe the same!

Diane Hould

Area 10 Membership Chair

Diane Hould, Percussion class

Conducting Master Class 2024

Dr. Payne watching Carlene

Area 10 was well-represented - be sure to join us next year for Pinnacle 2025 in Wichita, Kansas.

One more time... Elections - Please Vote!

The Candidates

Sharon Ross, Candidate for Secretary

Sharon Ross, who resides in Portland, Oregon, commenced her bell-ringing journey in the mid-80s instructed by Shosh Meyer at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Beaverton. She has been an active member of Pacific Ringers since 2014 and has a long-standing musical background as an oboe and English horn player with the Beaverton Symphony. Presently, she is part of an

ensemble at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portland.

She has participated in Distinctly Bronze West, Classic Bronze in Alberta, and other local events including Coppers Classic and Sequoia Summit in Ashland. The art of bell ringing holds a special place in Sharon's heart due

to the meaningful relationships it fosters and the unique bond required among 13 individuals to play a single instrument. For Sharon, music is not only enjoyable but is at its best when shared, and she finds great joy in creating harmonious melodies with the bells.

Having recently retired from a career in healthcare as an occupational therapist, Sharon joined the organizational team for Coppers Classic 2024 in Portland Oregon, directed by Ellie Hodder.

Working with the Area 10 board would offer more opportunities to meet bell enthusiasts.

Debra Pankaskie, Candidate for Secretary

Since her introduction to handbells in the mid-late 1970s, Debra has performed with various handbell choirs, been a member of a handbell trio, done some directing, and even has a published trio arrangement. She remembers attending Area 10 and National Handbell Festivals during the 1990s.

Debra works to keep up with what is happening in the handbell world by viewing virtual workshops and attending ringing opportunities like Copper’s Classic and Distinctly Bronze West. Currently, she rings with a local church handbell choir, plays with the local community band as a percussionist, and is a pianist for a local church.

Debra worked as a secretary, first for an attorney and later for a church, along with her career as a piano teacher. She has also been the board secretary for other organizations that she has been a part of.

Debra’s hobbies include traveling with her husband and fur-baby, e-biking, and various forms of crafting.

She would be honored to serve on the board of an organization that views handbell ensembles as a valuable musical learning experience while learning more about what Area 10 does "behind the scenes."

Corbin Rasmussen, Candidate for Chair-Elect

Corbin Rasmussen is the choir and handbell director at Rigby High School in Rigby, Idaho. Corbin started ringing bells in 2015 after discovering a 3-octave set of handbells at the school where he teaches. Shortly thereafter, he and his wife were invited to the first-ever Snake River handbell conference where they both fell in love with ringing. He has since started 2 handbell choirs that meet year-round at Rigby High School. Corbin also spent a year as the director of the Wesley Handbell Choir for Trinity United Methodist Church of Idaho Falls. 

Corbin has been a guest choral conductor/clinician both locally and abroad. He has conducted choirs and performed in choirs all over the country and abroad with performances in Seattle, WA; Anaheim, CA; New York City, NY; Orlando, FL; Beijing, China; Accra & Kumasi in Ghana, and most recently in Ensenada, Mexico. Since 2014 he has served as the Artistic Director for the Eastern Idaho Chorale, an adult community choir based in Idaho Falls. He and his wife just started a community youth choir called the East Idaho Youth Chorus for children aged 8 - 14. 

He is a regular attendee at the Handbell National Seminar and takes his students to participate in Distinctly Teen every summer. He currently serves as the Area 10 Idaho Chair and has loved working with the Area 10 board. He is excited for the opportunity to serve as Area 10 chair-elect.

Corbin received his bachelor’s degree in music education from BYU-Idaho. When he isn’t conducting, performing, or teaching, he enjoys playing and expanding his collection of board games, and spending time with his wife and four children.

Volunteer needed!

Area 10 needs someone to be our Print Media Manager, a member of the communications committee.

Print Media Manager Duties:

1. Shall be an advocate for Handbell Musicians of America and Area 10.

2. Shall submit the Area 10 Spotlight Page to Overtones (quarterly) after

consultation with the Communications Chair.

3. Shall design and distribute any hard copy communications for Area 10 in

collaboration with the Communications Chair.

4. Shall be allowed to serve in this position as long as they are willing or until

it has been determined the individual has not fulfilled their duties.

If you have questions or are interested, please contact Sheri Roach, Communications Chair, communications.area10@handbellmusicians.org.

If you are hosting an event, there are several places you may wish to consider advertising.

Send your announcement to communications.area10@handbellmusicans.org or campanologist.area10@handbellmusicians.org to share your event information with the Area 10 newsletter, Area 10 website, and Area 10 social media accounts. Newsletter deadlines are the 20th of the month prior to publication.

Have you heard about Brian Seemann and Nick Hanson's podcast, Two Tacos High? They are offering everyone space on their website to advertise events. There is a form for you to complete here: https://www.twotacoshigh.com/events

Upcoming Area 10 Events: Aug-Sept

Summer Ringing Sessions

Summer Ringing Sessions are a great opportunity to ring different positions, work on new techniques, sharpen sight reading skills, and meet other members of our local handbell community. If you missed the June and July sessions, there's still a chance for you to participate as two of these sessions are still happening in August.

No registration is needed. Open to ringers of all ages and skill levels. Grab your gloves – and a friend – and join us! Whether you come to one session, to all, or any number in between, we look forward to ringing with you this summer! For dates and locations, visit the Bells of the Sound or Emerald City Ringers websites.

Have you heard? In 2025, we're hosting "A Whale of a Cruise!" The dynamic duo of Matthew Compton and Alex Guebert will be our co-clinicians on this June voyage to Alaska, and we'd love to have you join us! Come on board for all the details!

Important Note: Prices increased on May 31, 2024 and will again on November 30, 2024.

Last call for the Bells of the Sound Composition Contest

Calling all composers and aspiring composers!

See their website and the flyer below for more details: https://www.bellsofthesound.org/composition-contest.html

Mark Your Calendar for September 21

Ellie Hodder started the Pacific Northwest Handbell Directors/Musicians Forum in 2005 because she didn’t know her fellow directors. It began as a one-day event with a couple of classes in the morning, a shared lunch where everyone got to learn a bit about each other and local happenings, and then an afternoon read ‘n’ ring. Fast-forward 19 years and this event still happens every September in the greater Portland area (Beaverton this year).

Pacific Northwest Handbell Directors/Musicians Forum

Bells on the Boulevard: A One-Day Try-It-All Learning Event

With Ellie Hodder, Shelley Giaier, Kendra Symonds, and Members of the Pacific Ringers

When: Saturday, September 21: 9 am -- 3 pm (lunch provided)

Where: Murray Hills Christian Church

15050 SW Weir Road, Beaverton, OR 97007

Register: www.pacificringers.org

Email: info@pacificringers.org

Keep up with what's going on...

Area 10 website: https://area10.handbellmusicians.org/

Area 10 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HandbellMusiciansOfAmericaArea10

Area 10 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hmaarea10/

Advertising Rates  

All ads are $5 per monthly issue 

Ads should be formatted to an approximate ratio of 3:1 height:width. Ads will be linked to your website.

Send ad or text with picture to Sheri Roach with how many issues you would like. An invoice will be sent to you.