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Volume 20 • Issue 5 • Fall 2026
Notes from the Chair
As I begin my two-year term as chair of Area XI, I thank LeAnna Willmore and Jill Persichetti who have completed their terms as Past Chair & Treasurer respectively. They have been instrumental in moving Area XI forward with robust procedures and a great financial position.
We welcome Karen Kaneko-Baker as Chair Elect and Irene Brown as Treasurer. Karen and Irene have jumped right into Board responsibilities and are valued contributors.
Our continuing Board members are Nancy Roberts-Small (Desert Sub-Area Chair), Andrew Smith (Mountain Sub-Area Chair), Sara Oedekoven (Communications Chair) , and Anne Kleve (Events Chair). Our Auxiliary members are Anne Kelley (Past Chair), Shirley Culp (C.H.I.M.E.), Megan Hansen (Youth Representative), Casey Turner (Youth Camp Chair), and Lily Hatch (Registrar). This fantastic group has a proven history of creating events for you, communicating what Area 11 can do for you, and administering the Chime Loan Program.
Our annual in-person board meeting was held September 11-13 in Denver. As part of our bi-annual business we updated the signatories on our bank accounts, and updated our strategic plan. Some of the things from that plan you’ll be seeing in 2026-2027 that address our pillars of Better Together, Connecting, Educating, and Membership:
- Our new event calendar at https://area11.handbellmusicians.org/calendar/ where you can click through to event details, see a map and add it to your calendar!
- Our second Virtual Director’s Seminar on November 7, 2026. When you register, you can help set the agenda by ranking the list of topics. Registration is open now here.
- Youth Ringers’ Camp in Utah in June 2027. Registration opens soon at https://area11.handbellmusicians.org/young-ringers-camp/
- We’ll be offering Youth Ringers’ camp scholarships from the Linda Maloney Youth Scholarship Fund. The application form will be open later this year.
- We’re creating a new Education Committee chaired by Past Chair Anne Kelley to develop a youth workshop format. Contact Anne if you’d like to help with that effort.
- The Handbell Musician Spotlight in our newsletter. Submit your nomination here!
I continued my 2026 resolution to meet people by attending the Colorado Fall Tune Up held at Hackberry Hill Elementary School in Arvada. I was excited to meet several school music educators who were eager to figure out how to incorporate bells in their classrooms.
Finally, here’s a report on what your Board discusses during dinner: whose dog got skunked (Anne Kleve’s before the meeting, and Andrew’s back home in Utah over the weekend of the meeting ), and what exotic animals our veterinarian/Communications Chair Sara has treated in Wyoming. Would you believe an alligator?
Your board is a dynamic and committed group of handbell musicians who want you to enjoy and excel in your handbell journey. Please contact any of us to share what we can do for you.
Until next time, just keep on ringing!
Upcoming Events
Check out our NEW Events Calendar on our website!
This page will have all of Area 11’s Event Dates in one place to help you plan.
Virtual Director’s Seminar 2026
The Area 11 Directors Seminar is a virtual event for directors to gather together to learn and collaborate. This event features two virtual presentations followed by an open roundtable discussion.
It’s the perfect place to connect with other directors and learn new tips and tricks to bring back to your ensemble. Whether you’re a new, intermediate, advanced, or aspiring director, this event is for you!
This is a virtual event hosted on Google Meet. Computer, iPad, Phone, or technology devices are required to participate.
Moderated by Anne Kelley and Sharon Schmidt
Join via Google Meet (link will be sent out prior to event to registered participants)
Saturday, November 7, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m (MST)
HMA Member: $12.00
HMA Non-Member: $15.00
Student: $5.00
Payment only via Paypal
Read and Ring 2027
Date: Saturday, February 20, 2027
Locations: Throughout Area 11 – Watch for updates
Join us for our annual Read and Ring — a fun morning of sight reading music with the opportunity to buy the music (with no shipping costs).
Spring Rings 2027
We have dates for 3 of our upcoming State Spring Rings
Arizona
Date: March 6, 2027
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Clinician: Michael Mazzatenta
Utah
Date: Saturday, March 13, 2027
Location: Riverton, UT
Clinician: Stevie Berryman
New Mexico
Date: March 20, 2027
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Clinician: Sandra Eithun
Colorado
Clinician: Monica McGowan
Stay tuned for Colorado and Wyoming Dates
Youth Ringers’ Camp 2027
Dates: June 13-17, 2027
Location: Pinecliff Camp, East Coalville, Utah
Clinician: Nathan Kleve
$250 per Youth Ringer
$125 per Adult Chaperone
We are excited to announce a Youth Ringers’ Camp in 2027. This camp allows us to give youth a time to connect with each other and grow as handbell musicians. This camp will not replace our all-ages camp, but will be a fun-filled addition to our Area 11 events.
Our clinician for Youth Ringers’ camp is Nathan Kleve, an up-and-coming figure in handbells. He is also a former Area 11 Youth Representative as well as a composer of handbell music.
★ What is it?
- This 5 Day- 4 Night Camp is a Youth ONLY camp to help youth develop more ringing skills, learn new music, and have a lot of fun!
- The theme for Youth Camp is Pirates
★ Where is it?
- Located in the foothills of the Uintah Mountains, less than two hours from Salt Lake, Utah, Pinecliff Camp offers a rustic atmosphere to experience the outdoors.
★ Who is it for?
- The event is open to YOUTH handbell ringer ages 10 – 18.
- Area 11 includes the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Utah, but there is no need to limit participation according to where you may be located.
- Chaperones for the youth will also be needed.
Linda Maloney Youth Scholarship Fund
In Honor of Linda Maloney,
Linda Maloney, the posthumous recipient of the 2026 Area 11 Ring of Fame Award, was passionate about handbells and expanding the art of handbell ringing to youth. She was instrumental in the creation of the Area 11 Youth Camps. In her memory, a scholarship fund was created to help youth around Area 11 attend Camp and other handbell events. If you would like to donate to this scholarship fund, please use the PayPal Link below, or send a check to
Annual Board Meeting
The Board of Directors had their annual in-person meeting to map out the coming year for Area 11. The weekend was spent in Colorado planning and discussing many different aspects of Area 11. Some changes to board members occurred and new perspectives were offered. Pictured above (L-R, back row) Karen Kaneko-Baker (Chair-Elect), Anne Kleve (Events, Camp), Sara Oedekoven (Communications), Andrew Smith (Mountain Sub-Area) (front row), Anne Kelley (Past-Chair), Nancy Roberts-Small (Desert Sub-Area), Irene Brown (Secretary-Treasurer), Sharon Schmidt (Chair).
Member Spotlight
The local committee for the 2026 Ringing Up Festival in Loveland, Colorado was an integral part of making this year’s festival a success. We would like to put a spotlight on the members of the Colorado 2026 Festival Committee to recognize and thank all of their hard work. If you know any of these individuals or see them at ringing events, be sure to express your appreciation for their hard work and dedication to Area 11.
Ingrid Daniel
Michelle Girard
Susan Harding
Nathan Kleve
Kathryn Rudd
Kathy Schlecht
Becky Stevens
Area 11 Bulletin Board
Concert Bells of Fort Worth Composition Contest
WE NEED NEW MUSIC
Concert Bells of Fort Worth, an advanced handbell ensemble, under the direction of Stephanie Rhoades is seeking submissions for our first ever Composition Contest! The winning submission will be featured in our Spring 2027 concerts. The winning prize is $1500 and the submission deadline is January 15, 2027. We are looking for original works which are non-holiday themed. Full contest language and requirements can be found on our website at www.concertbells.com
You can also contact the chair, former Area 11 member, Josh Fitzgerald at Contest@concertbells.com for submissions and questions.
We hope the talented musicians in the handbell community will consider writing something for us to play!
ISO Handbell Director - Green Mountain United Methodist Church, Lakewood, CO
Green Mountain United Methodist Church is looking for a handbell director, as our current director is retiring.
The church is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. We have a thriving handbell program, consisting of 2 choirs: one playing 3+/4- music, and one playing 1+/2- music. Several of our ringers have been playing together for over 30 years! We have 5 octaves of Schulmerich bells as well as 5 octaves of Schulmerich chimes.
The advanced choir plays at the Sunday service monthly and also on Christmas Eve; the lower-level choir plays a few times a year. The rehearsals are held late August through mid-May. We have a permanent, dedicated space for the bells. No need to set up or tear down!
This is a paid position.
For more information, please contact: deannahanna2@gmail.com
ISO Handbell Director Church at Litchfield Park, AZ
The Church at Litchfield Park is seeking a handbell director starting this fall. Our historic church with great acoustics for handbells is located in a beautiful suburb, west of Phoenix, just across the street from the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park. Rehearsals are once per week and we play during worship once a month, plus Christmas Eve. We have a five octave set of handbells, plus chimes. Members of our two handbell choirs are experienced and dedicated ringers. The handbell music library has an extensive selection of music to select from. Our director retired and we would love to be able to start up again in September. If interested, contact the church at 624-935-3411 or by email at info@clp.church.
ISO: Director for Church Ensemble in Salt Lake City, UT
Our handbell choir of 12 people needs a new director! We rehearse on Monday nights 7-8:30 and play in church on the third Sunday morning of the month from September through May, We have 5 octaves of bells and a fun group. The church is at 17th and 17th. There is a stipend for this position. Interested? Please call Lisa Vitkus @ 216-965-5605 or email at vitkuslisa@gmail.org.
ISO: Ringers at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sandy, UT
Have you been looking for a bell choir? Well, we’re looking for you! We’re a church choir located in Sandy, Utah, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. We have all levels of experience some members have been part of the choir for over 15 years, others just 5. We usually ring L2+ -L3 pieces with a 12 ringer ensemble, but we’ve shrunk! Due to illnesses, moving out of the area, and retirements, we now have a 7-member choir. We have five octaves of bells, and three of chimes. We’ve been playing 2-octave material but we yearn to get back to those full-bodied songs! Our 4 and 5 octaves of bells are feeling abandoned! Please help us let our bells know we love them and want to get them singing again! We practice at the church every Monday, from 6 – 7:15 pm, except during the summer. Ages 14 and up, with the ability to read music are welcome! Please call Kate McGuire at (925) 435-0096 and leave a message with your name and number. Or call Good Shepherd at (801) 255-8181.
Looking forward to ringing in 2025 with you!
Kate
Handbell Tables for Sale -Denver, CO
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2 Wood handbell tables. 30″x36″ rectangle, independently adjustable legs. Portable with folding legs. Free Schulmerick Case D 4th Octave for G3-B3 and C#7-G7. Perfect condition both inside and outside of the case. No wheels
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Events Recap
Fall Tune Up 2026
For the 2026 Fall Tune Up, we had 103 registered ringers scattered across 4 different locations in Area 11.
Registrants included all levels from new ringers to the very accomplished and experienced.
Please enjoy some photos from this year’s Fall Tune Up.
News from National
It’s the most wonderful time of the year...when Handbell Musicians of America hosts our annual online event for the holidays, Ring-a-thon! You’ll see interviews with handbell superstars, have the chance to win prizes when our own Elf-in-Chief, JR Smith, spins the wheel, and hear performances from musicians around the country. Check back in the fall for more details!
Upcoming Board Meetings
Newsletter Archive
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Want to share an exciting experience or tips and tricks with our handbell community?
Deadline to add articles for the newsletter is the 25th of the previous month. Articles may be submitted to the Communications Chair in .doc format and with an picture of the author in .jpg format.