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Volume 19 • Issue 6 • Winter 2025
Notes from the Chair
Happy Holidays!
It’s hard to believe that 2025 has almost come to an end! As we head into this holiday season and the upcoming year, there are a lot of events coming up to bring together various handbell and handchime musicians throughout our 5 states. 2026 is going to be an amazing year. If you haven’t had a chance, I recommend checking out the Events Tab on our website and exploring a couple of our events listed below. Here’s a timeline of upcoming events for your quick reference:
Saturday, February 21, 2026 – Areawide Read & Ring
Saturday, March 14, 2026 – Utah Spring Ring featuring Brenda Austin
Saturday, March 21, 2026 – Colorado Spring Ring featuring Tammy Freeman
Saturday, March 28, 2026 – Arizona Spring Ring featuring Shannon Casey
Saturday, March 28, 2026 – New Mexico Spring Ring featuring Gillian Erlenborn
May 15-16, 2026 – Wyoming Spring Ring featuring Brian Childers
June 11 – 14, 2026 – Area 11 Ringing Up! Festival featuring Dave Harris
In a world that often emphasizes material gifts, the holidays provide a gentle reminder that the greatest gift we can give one another is time. Time to share, to connect, to support, and to love. When we look back on our holiday experiences, it’s not the presents we remember, but the presence of the people who matter most.
The purpose of our events is to bring people together to learn, connect, and promote the art of handbell and handchime ringing. Your presence matters. The new year is an opportunity to create goals and resolutions. As we head into the new year, I encourage you to register for one of these amazing events to connect with local handbell and handchime musicians in your area. If you typically attend our events, then I encourage you to bring a friend or share the information with your director, bellchoir, and handbell/non-handbell friends.
We have an amazing lineup of events that you won’t want to miss! On behalf of our Area 11 Board, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season!
Love and Bells,
Anne Kelley
Chair Elect
Ring of Fame and Getting to Know You
Ring of Fame As I mentioned last issue, we are collecting nominations for the Area XI Ring of Fame. The Area 11 2002-2004 Board established the Ring of Fame to recognize exceptional service and commitment to handbell/handchime ringing in general.
You can learn more about the selection criteria, see past inductees, and submit a nomination here:
Ring of Fame – Area 11 Handbells
Do you know someone who has made exceptional contributions to our art? You can nominate them! The link above contains links to both a digital and PDF nomination form. Nominations are due by January 1, 2026. If you have any questions about Ring of Fame, please contact me.
Getting to Know You I had the privilege of leading the Colorado Fall Tune-Up in September and had a delightful morning with the ringers going back to basics, doing some sightreading and exploring a variety of topics. Then in November, we had our first Virtual Directors’ Seminar, and I was introduced to more folks through the round-table, where we discussed topics varying from conducting left-handed, how to not hate marts to offering handbells at a community college.
My next local opportunity to meet you is at the Area XI Festival in Loveland, CO. Anne Kleve and her team are putting together a great event. If you’ve never been to a Festival and want to learn what it’s all about, this link (https://area11.handbellmusicians.org/festival/) describes how the Festival allows ringers to learn, share, and be in community. And, have fun! Registration is open already.
Until next time, just keep on ringing!
Sharon Schmidt
Upcoming Events
Read and Ring
Read and Ring is a fun event held at multiple locations throughout Area 11. Come have fun sight-reading a variety of music and connect with ringers around your area. There is also the opportunity to purchase music without paying shipping costs. Most events will have the music for their state’s Spring Ring available for purchase. Registration opens soon!
Dates:
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Time:
9:00 am – Noon MST
Location:
We currently have locations available in (look for more locations to be added)
Arizona
Flagstaff
Chandler
New Mexico
Albuquerque
Rio Rancho
Colorado
Fort Collins
Thornton
Utah
Sandy
Wyoming
Sundance
Spring Ring
Each state in Area 11 hosts an annual Spring Ring event. Spring Ring is a massed ringing event with a masterful clinician. Registration can be as a group or individual. Please see each state for information on the clinican and music selection.
March 28, 2026
Clinician: Shannon Casey
Location: Chandler, AZ
March 21, 2026
Clinician: Tammy Freeman
Location: Englewood, CO
March 28, 2026
Clinician: Gillian Erlenborn
Location: Albuquerque, NM
March 14, 2026
Clinician: Brenda Austin
Location: Kaysville, UT
May 15-16, 2026
Clinician: Brian Childers
Location; Casper, WY
For questions, please contact our Desert or Mountain Area Chairs.
More Information
Ringing Up! Festival 2026!!
June 11-14, 2026 in Loveland, CO
Registration is now open for the 2026 Ringing Up! Festival. Area 11 Ringing Up Festival will feature Dave Harris as our clinician. It will be hosted at the Embassy Suites Loveland Convention Center. This beautiful facility is located with a view of the Rocky Mountains and is located just an hour away from scenic Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Regular registration deadline is February 28, 2026 (Late registration for a higher fee open until May 1, 2026).
Please visit the Festival Website for more information.
Things to Note about the 2026 Ringing Up! Festival
- Pre- Festival Conductor’s Master Class – Our Ringing Up! Festival 2026 will offer an optional Pre-Festival Conducting Master Class on Thursday, June 11, 2026 from 12:30 – 3:00 pm. This pre-festival event will allow 10 conductors the opportunity to spend 10-15 minutes working on 1 music selection of your own choice with Dave Harris. Conductors will need to bring a piece of music to work on with at least 10 copies for the ringers and clinician. There will be three types of participants: Conductors, Ringers, and Observers. This experience is limited to 10 Conductors, 13 Ringers, and there is no limit of Observers. Participants must be registered for the Festival in order to participate. Space is limited and first-come, first-serve. (Additional Fees Apply) Application
- Aluminum All-Star Choir – This high-level Aluminum All-Star Choir is by application only and will be in addition to your regular ringing track. Additional application-only choir. Extra rehearsals on schedule! Application deadline February 28, 2026. Application is NOT a guarantee of placement. Application
- Scholarships Available – There will be up to 10 scholarships for Festival available by application. These scholarships can help defray the cost of festival.
For more information, contact our events chair.
A Note from Dave Harris
Dave Harris is our clinician for Ringing Up! Festival 2026
Call for Teachers
We are looking for instructors for workshops for the 2026 Ringing Up! Festival.
- Do you have a great idea for handbells?
- Do you have valuable knowledge or skills?
- Do you have a desire to pass on knowledge?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, we would love to have you fill out the following application to lead a workshop at the 2026 Ringing Up! Festival.
You must be registered for the Festival to be considered for teaching.
For more information, contact our events chair.
Other News
Bob Nohavec
We sad to annouce the passing of Bob Nohavec. Bob served as the Utah State Chair and worked hard to successfully grow the Spring Ring Events. He also started the Bells of Joyful Sound handbell group.
Bulletin Board
Concert Announcement - Enchantment Albuquerque Handbell Ensemble - Dec 13
Enchantment Albuquerque Handbell Ensemble
Join us in celebrating the flora and fauna of the winter season!
December 13, 2026
3 p.m.
Asbury United Methodist Church
1000 Candelaria Road NE
Albuquerque, NM 87112
Cost: $15
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 [email protected].
ISO Bell Choir Director Good Shepherd United Methodist Church - Thornton, CO
Come join the amazing bell ringers at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Thornton, CO. Our current director is retiring after 25 years of service, and we want you to help us continue this amazing ministry of music.
Bell Choir meets August through May, with practice once per week. Currently, practice is Thursday night at 6pm. The bell choir plays every third Sunday on average at both the 9:00 contemporary and the 10:30 traditional services. There are a few special events, too, such as Good Friday, Christmas Eve, and cantata services as needed. There are 13+ members and five octaves of bells! The participants are delightful and ready to continue to ring.
The bell choir director is budgeted at $5000 over eight months. The current bell choir director estimates between 5-8 hours per week in preparation and in leading the group.
Please contact the church at 303-457-9267 or email [email protected] for information or to set a time to come meet us!
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 [email protected].
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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Joyfully Ring!
News from National
Virtual Winter Workshop.
A weekend of learning with a wide range of expert instructors on an assortment of handbell related topics. Take advantage of this chance to learn, grow, and share your enthusiasm for handbells from home. The only equipment required is your computer and a solid internet connection. Having bells at home may enhance the experience of some of the courses but are not required. The $99 registration fee provides the opportunity to attend 11 live sessions over three days, and watch the recordings of all sessions for 90 days following the event.
January 23-25, 2026
National Seminar 2026
Go Goetta Deal is available now through December 31st.
Dates: July 14-18, 2026
Location: Cinncinati, Ohio
Handbell Musicians of America will host our 2026 National Seminar at the Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 14 – 18. We return to our more traditional format for this event, with one additional day, more shopping hours in Handbell Commons, full session showcases from our Exhibiting Partners, and an All-Star Choir. This national event will be designed for handbell musicians of all levels and interests, with special focus on classes and activities for handbells in sacred spaces.
The call for class sessions and instructors will come in the fall. If you are interested in teaching, please start thinking about what you would like to submit for consideration. Stay tuned for upcoming deadlines and instructions!
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