In 2010 there was only one inductee, Dr. William Wood.
Dr. William Wood – New Mexico
Dr. William Wood
“His passion for handbells is contagious and he constantly encourages people to be ringers. He does whatever he can to support bell-ringing. And he is a huge supporter of AGEHR!” These words describe Dr. William Wood who has been active in the handbell world for over 30 years.
At Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, Dr. Wood organized and directed a handbell choir for approximately twenty years. His groups appeared in School of Music General Recitals each semester and played for occasional worship services and spring handbell concerts at First United Methodist Church in Portales. In 1993 he organized the Eastern New Mexico Fall Handbell Festival and in November 2009 held the 17th Festival. In 1999 he retired from Eastern New Mexico University.
Bill Wood has been active in AGEHR and Area XI leadership. From 1989-1993 he served two 2-year terms as Area XI Secretary/Treasurer. He served as the Area XI representative to the AGEHR National Board from 2000-2003. He served on the board when the National Board adopted the Carver Governance system, and was a member of the Nomination Committee for the first set of board members under the new governance system. In February 2000, he was one of four board members who wrote the AGEHR Mission Statement: “The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers is dedicated to advancing the musical art of handbell/handchime ringing through education, community, and communication.”
Bill has six published handbell arrangements one of which is “All American Hometown Band”, one of AGEHR’s most popular pieces. He has also written handbell-related articles for The New Mexico Musician and Overtones, the official AGEHR publication.
He has presented numerous workshops at Area XI and AGEHR events and at the New Mexico Music Educator Association All-State Conference. Being a retired music educator, he enjoys teaching various classes at festivals – especially change-ringing.
He has been a long-time organist at First United Methodist Church in Portales where he also teaches a Sunday School class. He also finds time to be an active member of Kiwanis International.
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