|
Summer is a time when many people plan vacations, staycations, and summer programs. Many handbell groups take a summer break to recharge and gear up for the fall. As I enter summer, I usually reflect on the past year, and think about what I can do better for the following year. Some questions I consider are the following:
|
|
- How did my group feel at the end of the year? Were they excited about their progress? Were they tired? Were they ready to stop, or did they have energy to continue if we chose? Did anyone feel burned out?
- What musical accomplishments did my groups achieve? Did beginner ringers improve their skills to be considered intermediate? Did intermediate ringers improve their skills to become advanced? Did my shy ringers develop some leadership skills?
- What did my groups say about the events we attended and performed? Did they bond as a choir? Did they become more of an ensemble? Did they meet new people? Did they learn new things?
- Were the concert themes fun and engaging for both ringers and audience? What themes could we focus on next year?
- How was my rehearsal preparation? Did I move my ensembles forward? How far did they go in learning rhythms? What new handbell techniques did I introduce them to? What music theory concepts did they learn? How was the pacing of rehearsals?
- How was my score study? How much time did I spend each week studying the score? What were some significant “aha!” moments in the score? What did my ringers learn about the composers?
- What are my equipment needs? Do my bells and/or chimes need refurbishing? Do I need new table cloths? What shape are my cases in? Do I have any broken tables that need replacing? How are my carts? Have I lost any mallets? What is my polishing supply like? Do I need to refill my maintenance kit?
These are a lot of questions to consider. My choirs complete a survey each year to help answer topics 1-4, but topics 5-7 are my own reflections. (Here is a copy of the form I had my school groups fill out this year: Year in Review. As I look through this data over the summer, I will be better prepared to plan for next year.)
How do you review the year? Do you have a similar plan? Do you get input from your ringers? As you move into summer, I would encourage you to intentionally reflect on the previous year. Make comparisons. Make plans. Attend summer events such as the National Seminar.
Some events that I have attended in the last few weeks include the Sierra Spring Ring and the SoCal Spring Ring. At both events, I walked away with new rehearsal techniques, and increased knowledge of my own personal ringing skills. Since both of these events occurred after my season ended, I can use what I learned in my plans for next year. I will also be attending National Seminar in Irving, TX in July. I would love to meet as many Area 12 members as I can! I hope many of you plan on attending.
As always, remember that your board is here to assist in any way we can. Feel free to reach out to any of us.
Happy Ringing!
Marci
|
|
June 3, 2023 Virtual Board Meeting
|
|
|
Next Area 12 Board Meeting: September 16-17, 2023 | Palo Alto, CA
|
|
to submit YOUR event!
(and get a social media push!)
|
|
The National Guild has changed the way they do renewals, so be sure to check out all the membership options and benefits HERE.
Current Area 12
Member Count:
210
|
|
Want to place
a classified ad?
Click on the
WANTED sign and
fill out the form!
Check out our
Classified Ads
|
|
For information on LA Metro concerts, events, and other opportunities, click here.
|
|
Welcome Erik Der to the Area 12 Board!
|
Erik Der is a lifelong handbell musician who appreciates the instrument for its emphasis on ensemble, movement, and rich sonic textures. He is an active ringer and has directed a variety of age groups (middle school, high school, college, adult). He is currently the Director of Handbell activities at Concordia University Irvine where he directs the Spirit Bells ensemble, teaches handbell methods, and leads CUI's annual handbell invitationals and festivals in partnership with his colleague Alex Guebert.
Quality event programming, community engagement, and education are all important to expanding handbells in our communities. If you're a director or ringer interested in learning more about handbell opportunities in Orange, Los Angeles, or adjacent counties, please be in touch with Erik!
|
|
For information on Northern California concerts, events, and other opportunities, click here.
|
|
Welcome Cindy Ksiazek to the Area 12 Board!
|
Cindy Ksiazek has played handbells since she was 16 years old. In 2011, she traveled with her bell choir to Wittenberg, Germany to start a bell choir at the Castle Church. When she isn't playing bells, Cindy is a food service director in an elementary school district.
Reach out to Cindy if you are interested in learning more about handbell opportunities in Northern California.
|
|
The Get More Out of Your Handbell Choir workshop is 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 Northern Nevada concerts, events, and other opportunities, click here.
|
|
Our 21st Annual Sierra Spring Ring was a blast! We had 36 ringers attend the event that included massed ringing, classes, and a sharing time. It's always great to get our handbell community together for fellowship, learning, and making music together, and this year we added an unpublished music reading session at the end of the day which was particularly fun and challenging. Five out of the seven pieces were from Area 12 composers! (see photos below)
Our next event, Bell Jam, is tentatively scheduled for sometime in early September. Details and date hopefully coming out soon!
|
|
For information on Far Northern California concerts, events, and other opportunities, click here.
|
The Redding Handbell Festival is endorsed by Handbell Musicians of America, dedicated to uniting people through the musical art of handbell and handchime ringing. www.handbellmusicians.org
|
|
Saturday, October 21, 2023
9:10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
CrossPointe Community Church
Redding, CA
Registration fee: $35.00
Massed Director: Ellie Hodder
Red Zone Director: Barb Walsh
|
|
Massed Music:
Festival Intrada by Jeffrey Honore; AG35254, 3-5 Octaves
Siyahamba by Hal H. Hopson; Code 1869, 3-5 Octaves
Air and Hornpipe by Sondra K. Tucker; NMHB673, 3-5 Octaves
On The Road Again arr. by Tammy Waldrop; RRBL5101, 3-5 Octaves
Red Zone Song: SWAY, Pablo Beltran Ruiz, arr. by Sandra Eithun; Code 2587
Classes: Basic Bell Trees, Change Ringing on the Bell Tree, Score Marking for Success for Ringers and Directors, Revving Up for the Red Zone, Anything But Ringing, Reading Session of New Music
Final Concert: open to the public at 4:30 p.m.
Registration forms are available on the Area 12
calendar or by clicking the button above.
|
|
A full-service handbell store
with music and accessories:
gloves • gifts
maintenance items
mallets • binders
bell tree items
Malmark products
visit us at
612-208-1741
877-426-3235
7209 Morgan Ave S Richfield, MN 55423
ADVERTISEMENT 6/23
|
|
|
For information on Southern California concerts, events, and other opportunities, click here.
|
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
|
|
The 2023 SoCal Spring Ring was a success! Sixty-five handbell ringers from three counties and two states gathered in Oceanside last weekend to ring under the baton of Douglas Lynn. Next year’s clinician will be Barbara Meinke. Dates will be announced shortly.
My best,
-Michèle
|
|
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.
We have over 1500 contacts, a 40% open rate (17% higher than the industry average) and a 13% click rate. Book your ad NOW!
For advertising types and rates:
|
Payment is due prior to publication. Submission DEADLINE is the 20th of each month. No issue in July.
Please submit your ads via email to:
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Elected Officers
Chair
•
Chair Elect
•
Past Chair
•
Treasurer
•
Secretary
|
|
Appointed Officers
Communications
•
Education
•
Historian
•
Membership
•
Social Media
•
Webmaster
•
Vendor Liaison
|
|
Regional Coordinators
Central California
•
Far Northern California Liaison
•
Hawaii
•
Los Angeles Metro
•
Northern California
•
Northern Nevada
•
San Francisco Bay Area
•
Southern California
•
Southern Nevada
|
|
|
|
|
|
|