TintinnabulatorTintinnabulator Fall, 2012

This past summer the

National Handbell Musi-

cians of America’s Na-

tional Seminar 2012

was held in Area 5. We

were taught by several

of the clinicians on the four days of the Semi-

nar, who are our own

Area 5 members. We

were so proud while

we listened to the

opening concert given

by our own Circle City

Ringers from Indiana.

How exciting to have

one of the All Star

Choir Conductor Duo

be our own Susan Ber-

ry.

Area 5’s own board

member Wendy Ran-

som was the site chair

for the event, and we

all know that she did an

extreme amount of

work to make the

event and all of the

equipment needed to

run smoothly. Need-

less to say, we had a lot

to continue to BELLe-

brate at the National

Seminar 2012.

While attending the

National Seminar, I at-

tended and rang in sev-

eral new repertoire

classes. We rang sev-

eral songs from current

and former Area 5 composers. It was very

exciting to ring the

songs of our Area 5

sons and daughters.

Please study our list of

composers published in

the Summer TNT.

We also have a lot to

BELLebrate with our local choirs. Take a

look inside this edition

of the TNT as we in-

troduce you to an ex-

citing new choir in Area

5.

And now it is your turn

to Bellebrate. The Ar-

ea 5 team is planning

the activities for the

year. Our Fallstar

events were very suc-

cessful workshops for

Ringers and Directors

that were held this past

August.

Plan now to join us for

our exciting Spring Fes-

tivals in Fort Wayne, IN

and Charleston, WV

this March and April

and, if you work with

youth, mark your calen-

dars to join us for our

Young Ringer Event -

Ring and Ride on June 7

& 8, 2013!

~Amanda

Amanda Walker

Area 5 Chair

Inside this issue:

News from Area 5

Chair, Amanda

Walker

Area 5 Calendar of

Events

Area 5 Elections

update

Area 5 Board

News - Thank you,

Stan Lane and

Welcome, Josh

Fitzgerald

Bay View Week

of Handbells turns

35

Introducing. . . The

Lancaster Han-

bell Ensemble

Spring Festival Class

Information

Fall, 2012

From Your Area 5 Chair, Amanda Walker

TintinnabulatorTintinnabulator

Page 2

The Tintinnabulator

“I like that!” This simple

phrase means something

quite different to our post-

Facebook world, doesn’t

it? Social media and tech-

nology is an amazing part

of how we communicate

and we in Area 5 are

working diligently to make

sure that YOU can get all

of the information you

need from us! Keeping

current with technology

and social media is very

much a part of that.

As the American Guild of

English Handbell Ringers

became the Handbell Mu-

sicians of America we at

the area level were able to

benefit from some of the

new initiatives that were

implemented. Our new

website and e-mail com-

munication tools are a few

of those. We formerly

were Area V and now we

have become Area 5!

In order for our online

presence to match from

website, to e-mail, to one

of the most well used

communication mediums

of our time, Facebook, we

needed to make some

necessary changes. We

moved from having Area

5 and Area V represented

to having one NEW Area

5 - Handbell Musicians of

America “page”. So, if Fa-

cebook is your “thing”,

look for us and “like” us

for regular updates on all

things Area 5.

Just in case you are won-

dering, we will continue to

use our website, TNT

quarterly publication and

TNT Blast mediums as

well. I “like” that too!

Rob Meyer

Communications Chair

From the Communications Chair

Rob Meyer

Communications Chair

AREA 5 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MARCH 15-16, 2013

Ringin’ on the Railroad Spring Festival

Fort Wayne, IN

Michael Glasgow, Festival Conductor

Stephanie Wiltse, Bronze Conductor

APRIL 19-20, 2013

Ringin’ on the Railroad Spring Festival

Charleston, WV

Kathy Ebling-Shaw, Festival Conductor

Douglas Anderson, Bronze Conductor

JUNE 7-8, 2013

Ride and Ring 2013

An Area 5 Young Ringers Handbell Event

Sandusky, OH

Jason Krug, Clinician

Ringin’ on the Railroad

registration information

will be available online

beginning in NOVEMBER.

Page 3

Fall 2012

Area 5 Board members are happy to help you at any time with your handbell

needs. Board members have an e-mail address formatted with their board position

followed by @area5.handbellmusicians.org.

AREA 5CHAIR

Amanda Walker [email protected]

AREA 5 CHAIR ELECT

Kay French [email protected]

AREA 5 SECRETARY

Wendy Ransom [email protected]

AREA 5 TREASURER

Lois Coffey [email protected]

AREA 5 EDUCATION CHAIR Brenda Austin [email protected]

AREA 5 MEMBERSHIP CHAIR

Tim Robison [email protected]

COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR/TNT EDITOR/WEBMASTER

Rob Meyer [email protected]

INDIANA STATE CHAIR

Andy Peralta [email protected]

KENTUCKY STATE CHAIR

Diana Williams [email protected]

MICHIGAN STATE CHAIR

Ann Wood [email protected]

OHIO STATE CHAIR

Josh Fitzgerald [email protected]

WEST VIRGINIA STATE CHAIR

Jane Charnock Smallridge [email protected]

For more information about Area 5, visit our website:

area5.handbellmusicians.org

Area 5 Communications

Page 4

The Tintinnabulator



WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST

ABOUT AREA 5 FESTIVALS?

Whether you like the opportunity to get away for a weekend of handbell ringing,

or the social aspect of seeing friends old and new. Maybe you like ringing under

wonderful Festival Conductors. OR maybe festivals are your opportunity to show

off your collection of handbell t-shirts. Regardless, of what you like the most about

Area 5 Spring Festivals, one of the favorite aspects of our time together are the

great classes offered by skilled and knowledgeable faculty. Below is an initial list of

classes being developed for our Spring 2013 Festivals in Fort Wayne, IN and

Charleston, WV. Take a look and plan now which classes you will be attending!

Basic Bell Techniques

Reading Session L 1-3 and L 3-4

Basic Bass Bell Techniques

Treble Bell Techniques - 4-in-hand, 6-in-hand

Bells in Worship/ Contemporary Service

Movement and Rhythm

Malmark and Schulmerich Maintenance Classes

Chi Kung

Area 5 State of the Bells Dinner

Page 5

Fall 2012

Spring Festival and Conference

March 15-16 in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Michael Glasgow, Conductor

April 19-20 in Charleston, WV

Kathy Ebling-Shaw, Conductor

Massed Pieces “Joy in the Morning”, Martha Lynn Thompson

Level 3, 3-5 octaves

Hope 1973

Reflection on “Holy Manna”, Sandra Eithun Commissioned by AREA 5 in memory of Sue Nimmo.


Lorenz 20/1637L

“Alleluia, Sing to Jesus”, Cathy Moklebust Level 3, 3-6 octaves

Chorister’s Guild CGB413

Bronze Track repertoire coming SOON!

Coppers Pieces

“Keep Your Lamps”, Michael Glasgow

Level 3, 3-6 Octaves

Hope 2586

“Come, Holy Spirit”, Sondra Tucker


Chorister’s Guild CGB630

Tins Pieces

“You Raise Me Up”, Joel Raney

Level 2+, 3-5 Octaves

Hope 2592

“God’s Train”, Valerie Stephenson

Level 2, 2-5 Octaves

Area 5 board members are already hard at work, planning another great round of spring festivals for your education

and enjoyment. Pack your suitcase and your bells and climb aboard as we ride the rails traveling to two great Area 5

cities. We return to Fort Wayne in March of 2013 with the always energetic guest conductor, Michael Glasgow. In

April, join us in Charleston with the fantastic guest conductor, Kathy Ebling-Shaw. No matter which location you

choose to attend, we promise to bring you another round of great massed handbell music and useful classroom expe-

riences to improve your rehearsals and your ringing technique. Back by popular demand is the bronze track and two

more great conductors; Stephanie Wiltse of Embellish conducting in Fort Wayne and Douglas Anderson of Mid Ohio

Valley Ringers conducting in Charleston. Bronze track ringers require a separate registration.

Registration information will be available online beginning in NOVEMBER.

Keep an eye on our website for all the pertinent details.

Mark your calendars NOW!

The Tintinnabulator

National Seminar in Area 5

Page 6

Area 5 Board Members:

(clock-wise from top left)

Rob Meyer, Wendy Ransom, Aman-

da Walker and Kay French at Cin-

cinatti’s Great American Ball Park.

Handbell Musicians of America

National Seminar - Cincinnati, OH

July 18-21, 2012

“LET’S PLAY BELLS!”

On July 20, 2012 over 220 handbell musicians from across

the United States (and around the world)

gathered to ring the National Anthem for the

Cincinatti Reds-v-Milwaukee Brewers Major League Baseball

game at Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park!

Handbell Musicians of America President, Lee Afdahl

leads the “Let’s Play Bells” Handbell Ensemble in

rehearsal prior to the game.

Fall 2012

Page 7

National Seminar in Area 5

Area 5 Chair, Amanda Walker and Ohio State Chair, Josh Fitzgerald

participate in the Handbell Theatre Track!

Solo Handbell Concert by Elimy Li

and Linda Krantz.

Handbell Musicians of America 2012 National Seminar All-Star Choir.

Susan Berry and Kevin McChesney Co-Directors

The Tintinnabulator

Page 8

Luanne Barnes has been

involved with handbells

for over 35 years. She is

the Operations Manag-

er for Bay View Week

of Handbells and directs

two adult handbell

choirs. Luanne lives in

Grand Rapids, Michigan

with her husband, Terry

and her golden doodle

pup, Sophie.

Every August I pack up the back of my Expedition to its capacity with luggage, logo

wear, registration packets, dorm goodies, a ship’s bell, and this year, various tree

branches with brightly colored Christmas ornaments attached that bob merrily in

time with each bump of the highway. I head north on US-131. The weather cools

slightly and my muscles begin to relax the longer I drive. The best part of the

journey is when I’ve almost reached my destination. I crest a hill, and there lies in

front of me, the beautiful waters of Little Traverse Bay with blue sky bright against

an evergreen backdrop. Peace settles over me like a cozy blanket. I’ve arrived in

Petoskey, Michigan to prepare for another Week of Handbells in Bay View.

On Sunday evening willing hands come forward to help unload bell cases, chime

cases, tables, foam, table coverings, and huge, majestic bells that arrive on a rental

truck straight from the Malmark factory. Hugs are given in the midst of the

activity, friends greet each other after being apart for a year. A rainbow of ribbons

are attached to the hundreds of pieces of equipment entering the doors of John M. Hall Auditorium to identify where they belong.

Monday morning dawns early. It’s quiet when I arrive to turn on stage lights, prop

open wooden doors, check the sound system. Eventually the Bay View

Association crew arrives with their cheery banter, and removes chairs to make

room for our deep pit ringers, construct the conductor podium and the steps to

climb up to that podium.

Soon row captains and assistants arrive and the sounds of bell cases clacking open

fill the air. The stage fills with beauty—first when the tables are covered in their

fine concert drapes; then, when brass fills almost every square inch of table space.

Then chimes, risers, mallets, books, pencils arrive, and finally, the greatest beauty

of all—the handbell ringers.

The old hall sighs with pleasure as every thing and every one finds their place. The

conductor prepares his stand with baton and music. He looks down with pride at

the inscription on his baton, “Week of Handbells”. Donald E. Allured began this

special Week in Bay View 35 years ago. Ten years ago, Don handed the baton to

Carl Wiltse.

The clock, in the grassy square, strikes noon. Carl lifts his baton and gives the first

downbeat. After month’s of individual rehearsing, all the clappers hit the castings

at the same time and the most glorious sound spills over the auditorium. It

touches the very soul of the listener, and makes one a bit emotional.

Bay View Week of Handbells

Turns 35

Fall 2012

Page 9

The week is filled with rehearsal sounds—tricky passages, moving phrases, notes floating in the

air, neighbors helping neighbors, all involved in the dance of making music. Again and again the

pieces are rehearsed. The notes begin to meld together and become music, soaring to the silent

balcony chairs. The notes become one with the ringer. Pieces that were so difficult in rehearsal

begin to make sense. The ringer is challenged with the more advanced music, stretching them in

areas they never imagined they could reach, pushing them to new musical heights, and

accomplishing that which seemed unachievable a few short days before.

Thursday evening the day is winding down in a shimmer of heat. The audience enters the hall

and admires the rows upon rows of bells on the tables. Shining and expectant, the bells wait.

The ringers on the outside steps, line up, dressed in their concert black, white gloves flutter in

their hands. The fatigue of the week is forgotten as the ringers enter the stage to the sound of

thunderous applause. Carl, once again, lifts his baton to make it dance. The opening piece is

stately and strong—the perfect opening. The concert brings the listener along on a special

journey—one that is almost magical. The ebb and flow of each note carries one’s emotions from one end to the other. One forgets about life outside the auditorium doors and follows on a

musical journey.

The last notes are played and the bells are brought to the table. In true Bay View fashion, chimes

ring out the opening chord of Lutkin’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You. The ringers become

singers even if they think they can’t sing. The amen’s lift one out of their chair, soaring, carried

by beautiful harmonies, to the final amen. Tears again fall. In gratitude to the ringers who are

family, to Carl Wiltse, for pulling out the notes and phrases from each ringer, and to Don Allured

for having the vision to begin this event all those years ago and having a large enough heart to

share it with us all.

A few days later I leave Bay View. I can’t resist one last glimpse in the rearview mirror at the

Bay. I notice the leaves are beginning to show their fall colors. The ride home is reflective but

my heart is oh so full. I am so blessed to have Bay View Week of Handbells as a part of my life.

Photo by Kim Finison

The Tintinnabulator

The seed had been planted by a precocious and passionate ringer in my church bell

choir several years before, but it was the direct result of Pinnacle 2010 in Nashville

that I dared venture into that unknown territory of initiating a community bell

choir. Thanks to the extraordinary community handbell directors, the workshops

they led, the resources they made available, and the personal advice they offered,

the vision took shape and the possibilities seemed not only POSSIBLE, but

PROBABLE!

The first thing on the agenda was to pull together a governing board. In the fall of

2010 they eagerly took on establishing by-laws and procedures, and have been an

enormous source of support and wisdom!

By March, 2010 a panel of excellent handbell directors was onboard to oversee our

first round of auditions. Rehearsals began at the end of March 2010 with 13

enthusiastic ringers preparing for our first appearance during the highly acclaimed Lancaster Music and Arts Festival. We finished 2011 with 3 Christmas mini-

concerts, began 2012 with Spring Concert, and are scheduled for 2 concerts this

summer.

Summer rehearsals are scheduled to begin at 7:00, but the ringers are there early,

so we begin rehearsing at 6:45! Together we experience the joy of ‘ensemble’, as

we improve our skills, trust our musicianship and believe that with each rehearsal

and performance “We played better than we did last time, and not as good as we

will next time!”

The Lancaster Ringers 2011-2012

Introducing. . . The Lancaster

Handbell Ensemble

Page 10

Fall 2012

Page 11

The Lancaster Ringers from Lancaster, Ohio celebrate their first anniversary!

For more information about The Lancaster Ringers,

visit their website:

https://sites.google.com/site/lancasterhandbellensemble/home

Leta Cook has a B.A. in Music Ed with Choral Directing emphasis

from Manchester College, and has done graduate studies at Indiana

University, Methesco, and Trinity Lutheran Seminary.

Her handbell experience began 33 years ago, when she was invited

to ring in a Bell Directors’ choir in Ft. Wayne, IN. She’s been

directing handbell choirs for 31 years.

Over the years, she has had the opportunity to take extended

classes with Robert Ivey and William Griffin, and rung under the

direction of countless nationally known handbell composers and clinicians at Area V AGEHR

events.

Leta earned her AGEHR Director’s certificate at the National Handbell Director’s Symposium in

Hartford CT in 2003. Since then she’s attended a number of National AGEHR Symposiums

where the potential of an area community handbell choir began to take shape.

She served on the AGEHR Area V Board, and was recently privileged to have an original handbell

piece commissioned in her honor, by the Celebration Ringers of First Presbyterian. The piece,

“Endless Song” was directed by its composer, Tim Waugh.

The Tintinnabulator

Page 12

Your Area 5 nominating committee is hard at work finding a few good men and

women to run for Area 5 offices in the upcoming 2013 election. By January, we

intend to present to the board a slate of two candidates for each of three offices:

Chair-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. These are important positions that need

to be filled by committed and well-qualified members to carry on the excellent

work your Area 5 board has been doing. Membership in good standing in the

Handbell Musicians of America is a prerequisite for election.

The Chair-elect will be chosen for a four-year term, two as Chair-elect and two

as Area Chair. The Secretary and Treasurer are elected for two-year terms.

The Chair-elect serves the first two-year term as the Area Chair’s right-hand

person in preparation for the next two-year term as the leader of Area 5. The

Secretary needs excellent written communication skills as well as some computer

expertise. The Treasurer needs experience with bookkeeping and computers.

If you or anyone you know might be interested in serving on the Area 5 board,

please contact nominating committee chair Ann Wood at

[email protected] for more information.

AREA 5 ELECTIONS - COMING SOON!



Ann Wood is currently

serving Area 5 as the

state chair for Michi-

gan. She is Director of

Music at First Presbyter-

ian Church in Es-

canaba, Michigan, and

conductor of the Bay de

Noc Choral Society. Ann

lives in Escanaba with

her husband Brian and

daughter Tory, who

share her love of music.

ELECTION INFORMATION

mailto:[email protected]

Fall 2012

Page 13

Welcome to new board member, Josh Fitzgerald. Josh joined the Area 5 Board

this fall as our Ohio State Chair! Area 5 thanks Stan Lane for his excellent

leadership for Area 5 and the state of Ohio and we say, "Welcome to the team,

Josh"!

Josh Fitzgerald is the Director of Creative Arts at Church

of the Messiah in Westerville, OH where he leads an

active handbell program of 7 ensembles as well as other

music, theatre, and puppet ministries. Originally from

Colorado, Josh has had the chance to teach and tour in

many places domestically and internationally including

Nicaragua, Germany, Czech Republic, Canada,

Austria, and in Japan with Sonos. In his other life he is a

Flight Attendant for a regional carrier which allows him

to continue to pursue his love of travel. He enjoys playing other instruments including the harp, being an

amateur radio operator, having fun at amusement parks,

and sky diving.

WELCOME TO THE BOARD

The Area 5 Board says “farewell” and “Thank you” to Stan Lane for his years of

service to our Area. We will be forever grateful to Stan’s work as Ohio State

Chair and Area 5 Webmaster. Stan worked tirelessly to create an excellent web

resource for Area 5 and all handbell musicians who access the site. He was

instrumental is assuring that our web presence was uninterrupted during the

transition from the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers to The Handbell

Musicians of America. Stan will continue to be a member of Area 5 as a

musician, a very busy professional and a father. Again, we thank you, Stan!

THANK YOU - STAN LANE

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TintinnabulatorTintinnabulator Fall, 2012