NeariNg the eNd(s) - Area III

February 2011
Volume 36, Issue 2
the
www.areaiii.org
bell-o-gram
Area III of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers
Nearing the End(s)
(not that kind.) p. 4
DELAWARE
MARYLAND
Traveling Chimes:
How they’re being used p. 10
METRO DC
NORTH CAROLINA
VIRGINIA
Bells of Your Very Own p. 13

Area-III.qxd 10/27/08 4:14 PM Page 1
When
It’s Time
To Talk
About
Bells...
...Give Us A Ring.
“Mickey” Johnson • 3020 Lizzie Melton Road • Chester, SC 29706
803-789-RING (7464) • 800-691-RING • Fax: 803-753-9582
MJohnson@SchulmerichBells.com
North & South Carolina
Al Paul • 1450 Springhouse Road • Allentown, PA 18104
610-398-9338 • 800-676-9038 • APaul@SchulmerichBells.com
Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Southeastern
New York, and the Virginia Peninsula (handbells only)
Sam Holland • 801 Lakewater Drive • Richmond,VA 23229
804-740-8760 • Fax: 804-741-7587 •
SHolland@SchulmerichBells.com
Virginia, except the Western Tip; Southern Maryland; Washington, DC;
& part of West Virginia
Frank Marshall • 403 Chatsworth Court • Franklin,TN 37064
615-790-2883 • 800-382-9865 • Fax: 978-231-8036
FMarshall@SchulmerichBells.com
Eastern Arkansas,Tennessee, Northern Mississippi, Northern
Alabama, & the Western Tip of Virginia
Schulmerich Bells
Electronic Carillons • Cast Bells • Handbells
®
MelodyChime® and MelodyWave® Instruments
Carillon Hill • PO Box 903 • Sellersville, PA • 18960-0903 • USA
215/257-2771 • 800/772-3557 • Fax: 215/257-1910
HomeOffice@SchulmerichBells.com
www.SchulmerichBells.com
www.MelodyWave.net

Westminster Ringers
A Maryland Handbell Ensemble
Bronze Voyage
from the
Saturday, June 4 th.
Westminster Ringers
Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Scott Center, Carroll Community College
1601 Washington Rd., Westminster, MD 21157
Check our website for ticket availability and pricing, or call the number below.
Discount with advance purchase.
Have you
remembered to
register
Upcoming Events — Register now — Details online
Synergy
Young Ringer’s Workshop
William A. Payn, Clinician Larry Henning, Clinician
Friday - Saturday, March 25 - 26, 2011
New Windsor Middle School
1000 Green Valley Rd., New Windsor, MD 21157
Ring, network, take a master class with Dr. Payn.
Workshop ends with public performance; opportunities
for solos. For ringers playing level 4, 5, and 6 music.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Cranberry Station Elementary School
505 N. Center St., Westminster, MD 21776
For ringers in grades 2-12, this year’s workshop will
improve skills regardless of experience level.
Some required repertoire.
For more information on all events and concerts, please visit our website or contact:
Debbie Henning 737 Holland Lane Westminster, MD 21158 410-848-5482
westminsterringersdirector@gmail.com www.thewestminsterringers.org
We’re looking forward to seeing you this year!
The Westminster Ringers, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Area III
Board of Directors
Chair
Linda Simms (2011)
205 Carnoustie Road
Dover, DE 19904
302-677-0187
keys2ring@aol.com
Chair-Elect
Lynn Bogovich (2011)
914 Heatherfield Lane
Millersville, MD 21108
410-923-6520
lbogovich@comcast.net
Treasurer
Nancy Ritter (2013)
8916 Wellsley Way
Raleigh, NC 27613
nlritter@nc.rr.com
Ken Bissell (2011)
5416 Sequoia Farms Drive
Centreville, VA 20120
703-751-2151
kenbhandbells@aol.com
Nick Hanson (2011)
7812 Freehollow Drive
Falls Church, VA 22042
703-207-8626
tintinnabulator@gmail.com
Kathie Metz (2013)
10113 Daventry Drive
Cockeysville, MD 21030
410-667-4971
kmetz@towsonumc.org
Melissa Nobile (2011)
10230 Stillhouse Road
Delaplane, VA 20144
540-364-3699
stillhouse@hughes.net
Fran Underwood (2013)
9411 William Kirk Lane
Burke, VA 22015
703-569-0542
funderwood@messiahumc.org
On the Web
National AGEHR Website
www.agehr.org
Area III Website
www.areaiii.org
Area III Webmaster
Lawrence Stewart
webmaster@areaiii.org
Appointed
Administrators
Delaware Chair
Lydia Hazeltine
area3delrep@yahoo.com
Maryland Chair
Linda Lamb
kenlamb1944@msn.com
Metro DC Chair
Carol Smiley
cjs1955@cox.net
North Carolina Chair
Marilyn Reese
mlrncbells@nc.rr.com
Virginia Chair
Ned Davis
nededavis@cox.net
Chime Loan Chair
Kath Wissinger
longwalk3@aol.com
Educational Liaison
Sally Tarr
starr@bcps.org
Event Coordinator
Debbie Henning
debbiehen@gmail.com
Event Registrar
Debbie Henning
debbiehen@gmail.com
Historian
Melissa Nobile
stillhouse@hughes.net
Layout Design Chair
Kathy Woods
woodsk@brxray.com
Media Librarian
Andy Siegel
andysiegel@comcast.net
Mentor Coordinator
Ingrid Bowers
ringingb@verizon.net
Membership Chair
Laura Blauch
lablauch@gmail.com
Secretary to the Board
Peggy Brengle
pkbreng@yahoo.com
Scholarship Chair
Ed Tompkins
etompkin@aol.com
The Ends and the Means
by Linda Simms, Area Chair
keys2ring@aol.com
Over the past several years, your Area III
Board has worked with your state chairs,
membership chair, and other volunteers
to develop strategies for growing the
membership of Area 3, encourage more
handchime programs in Area III schools, and support the
hard working community handbell ensembles located in
our five state Mid-Atlantic region.
In keeping with the Carver Policy Governance Model
adopted by AGEHR’s National Board, your Area III Board
has composed a strategic plan designed to facilitate our
commitment to its membership. Please consider what you
can do to help Area III accomplish its strategic goals and
objectives!
The summary of our Area III Ends is presented here, is
categorized into three (color-coded) Levels.
Level One (red) broadly defines the scope of our goals.
Level Two (blue) translates the Level One goals into
various observable objectives. And Level Three (brown)
establishes specific measurable milestones.
Outline of Area 3 Ends
Global
To advance the art of handbell and handchime ringing
through education, community, and communication.
Level One
To achieve awareness, pleasure, fellowship, and musicality
through handbell and handchime ringing in the states
of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and the
District of Columbia through the Area III membership
(handbell/handchime directors) for the recipients (ringers,
directors, students, worshippers, arts-oriented citizens,
and the general public).
Level Two (objective #1)
Handbells and handchimes will be a viable teaching tool in
public and private schools.
Level Three (objective #1)
By October 2013, Area III will contain at least one public
or private school with a new ringing program, and four
schools will contain re-activated ringing programs.
Level Two (objective #2)
Community groups will reach out to their communities.
Level Three (objective #2)
By March 2011, the Historian will generate a display board
with picture and contact information of all community
groups.
Level Three (objective #2)
By October 2011, all community groups will submit their
website to the Historian with a thumbnail picture and

ief description in order to create an Area III Community
Group web page.
Level Three (objective #2)
By October 2012, Area III will create a resource guide of
community outreach opportunities. Identify the strategies
used to secure these opportunities.
Level Three (objective #2)
Encourage community groups to mentor new or recently
re-activated school groups.
Level Two (objective #3)
AREA III’s membership will grow.
Level Three (objective #3)
By October 2011, Area III will have one article submitted
to Orff, MENC (the National Association for Music
Education), Choristers Guild and AGO (American Journal
of Organists) periodicals.
Level Three (objective #3)
By October 2011, Area III membership will experience a
gain of 1% over that of October 2010.
Level Three (objective #3)
Area III will have a presence at state MENC, AGO, and
Choristers Guild conferences. By March 2011, Area III will
have an exhibit in two state MENC conferences.
Level Three (objective #3)
By October 2013, create a database of all people and
organizations who own bells or chimes in Area III and
what level program(s) they have. State and district chairs
will help collect information (including levels).
Level Three (objective #3)
By October 2013, 50% of districts that do not have any
handbell events will host (or partner in) one local event.
Level Two (objective #4)
Public awareness of handbell and handchimes will increase
throughout Area III.
Level Three (objective #4)
By April 2011, create and fill the position of Area III
Publicity Coordinator.
North Carolina
United Methodist
Handbell Festival
March 4th & 5th , 2011
Methodist University, Fayetteville, NC
Michael Mazzatenta,
Guest Conductor
Brochure & Registration Information:
http://www.fummwa.nccumc.net
Or go to: http://www.nccumc.org and click on
FUM Musicians under the Resources tab)
Contact Person: Mark Gourley 910-483-0121
choralconductor1982@gmail.com
Virginia Handbell Consort
A Community Handbell Ensemble
Concert, Festivals, and Workshops
PO Box 64591, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23467
Voice Mail 757-456-1312
www.VirginiaHandbellConsort.com
vhc@virginiahandbellconsort.com
CLICK HERE
to check out Area III on

Last Chance
REGISTER NOW!
Ocean City
MARYLAND
with guest conductor
Michael J. Glasgow
March 11-12
and Genesis conductor
Dottie Tweedie
R ichmond
VIRGINIA
with guest conductor
Michael Helman
and Genesis conductor
Charm Peterman
April 8-9, 2011
Click on a festival
for infO on repertoire
and registration!
F
.lat Rock
NORTH
CAROLINA
May 13-14, 2011
with guest conductor
Jason Wells
Note: There is
no Genesis Track
at this event.

Last Chance
REGISTER NOW!
Ocean City
MARYLAND
with guest conductor
Michael J. Glasgow
March 11-12
and Genesis conductor
Dottie Tweedie
R ichmond
VIRGINIA
with guest conductor
Michael Helman
and Genesis conductor
Charm Peterman
April 8-9, 2011
Click on a festival
for infO on repertoire
and registration!
F
.lat Rock
NORTH
CAROLINA
May 13-14, 2011
with guest conductor
Jason Wells
Note: There is
no Genesis Track
at this event.

SPRING CONCERT
Sunday, June 5, 2011 – 4:00 pm
Meymandi Concert Hall
Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Raleigh, North Carolina
Early Bird tickets will be available April 1 to May 20
from The Raleigh Ringers (www.rr.org). Tickets will
also be available at the Progress Energy Center Box
Office and all Ticketmaster outlets (919-834-4000 or
www.ticketmaster.com).
THE EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL
CAPITAL AREA
YOUNG RINGERS FESTIVAL
Saturday, February 26, 2011
3:30 pm Concert
Resurrection Lutheran Church – Cary, North Carolina
Guest Conductor: Debbie Rice
The 23rd Annual
CAPITAL AREA HANDBELL FESTIVAL
November 4 – 5, 2011
Raleigh, North Carolina
Guest Conductor: Fred Gramann
Upcoming Concerts:
April 9, 2011
Savannah Music Festival
Savannah, Georgia
April 10, 2011
Summerville Baptist Church
Summerville, South Carolina
May 14, 2011
Thalia Lynn Baptist Church
Virginia Beach, Virginia
May 15, 2011
Pritchett Auditorium
Averett University
Danville, Virginia
For complete information on all upcoming concerts and events, please visit our website.
David M. Harris, Director
8516 Sleepy Creek Drive
Raleigh, NC 27613
Phone/Fax: 866-637-7464
Email: rringer@rr.org
www.rr.org

What’s Shakin ’
UPCOMING AGEHR EVENTS
When What Where Who
February 24-27 Distinctly Bronze Kitsap Conference Center Jason Wells
West
Bremerton, WA
Contact the National Office at 800-878-5459 or visit www.agehr.org
February 26 Capital Area Resurrection Lutheran Church Debbie Rice
Young Ringers Festival
Cary, NC
Contact Ruth Brown at 919-610-1692 or ruthannemayer@gmail.com
March 5 Young Ringers Cranberry Station Elementary School Larry Henning
Workshop
Westminster, MD
Contact Debbie Henning at 410-848-5482 or debbiehen@gmail.com
March 11-12 Area III Roland Powell Convention Center Michael J. Glasgow
Ocean City Festival Ocean City, MD Dottie Tweedie
Contact Lynn Bogovich at 410-923-6520 or lbogovich@comcast.net
March 25-26 Synergy New Windsor Middle School William Payn
New Windsor, MD
Contact Debbie Henning at 410-848-5482 or debbiehen@gmail.com
March 27 Children’s St. Matthews UMC Nancy Cappel
Melody Madness
Annandale, VA
Contact Nancy Cappel at 703-978-3500 or ncappel@stmatthewsumc.org
April 8-9 Area III Greater Richmond Convention Center Michael Helman
Richmond Festival Richmond, VA Charm Peterman
Contact Carol Smiley at 703-451-9361 or cjs1955@cox.net
May 13-14 Area III Bonclarken Conference Center Jason Wells
Blue Ridge Festival
Flat Rock, NC
Contact Len Trippe at 828-669-8654 or ltrippe624@aol.com
July 14-17 National Seminar Hilton Minneapolis various
Minneapolis, MN
Contact the National Office at 800-878-5459 or visit www.agehr.org
August 26-27 Area III Holiday Inn at Francis Scott Key Mall Tim Waugh
Directors Seminar
Frederick, MD
Contact Fran Underwood at 703-569-0542 or funderwood@messiahumc.org
November 18-19 discoveRING! Youth Cavalier Hotel Larry Henning
Virginia Beach, VA
Contact Laura Shelton at 703-435-4290 or handbellhog@hotmail.com

Greetings to Area III
Malmark Handbells
Choirchime® Instruments
Ringing Accessories
Malmark, Inc. - Bellcraftsmen
Bell Crest Park
P. O. Box 1200
Plumsteadville, PA 18949
800- HANDBEL (426-3235)
215-766-7200
www.malmark.com
Choirchime® is a registered trademark by Malmark, Inc.
for its hand-held chime instrument.
Recipients of Area III Loaners Chime In
by Kath Wissinger, CHIME Loan Chair
longwalk3@aol.com
Congratulations! Area III announces the names of the two
recipients of our three-octave sets, loaned through the
CHIME Loan program for the 2010-2011 academic year:
Diane Tudor
St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Charlotte, NC
Diane is using the chimes in an after-school program for
youth ages 12-17. A newly established ringing program was
in jeopardy since borrowed chimes needed to be returned.
Fundraising is planned in the coming year to purchase their
own chimes, and Ellen Moretz has offered to act as mentor.
Joyce Wolfe and Matt Edwards
Wilson Youth United, Wilson, NC
Joyce and Matt are initiating a five-day-a-week afternoon
elective ringing session for at-risk kids in an already wellestablished
activities program for grades K-9 called “The
SPOT.”
If you are part of (or know of) an organization that would
benefit from the loan of a three-octave set of chimes and
supporting materials for an entire academic year, consider
applying for next year’s loan program!
Click the facing panel for more information.
Get Your Ducks
in a Row...
...and apply for
the 2011-2012
CLICK
ME!
chime loan
program!
10

Silent Donations (and Silent Wars)
by Lynn Bogovich, Silent Reporter
CALLING ALL COMMUNITY lbogovich@comcast.net SPRING FESTIVALS
AND PROFESSIONAL ENSEMBLES! ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER!
The Area III Board has chosen
silent auctions as one of the
If ways you to are raise the money director toward or are on the Board of a community
or our professional goal purchasing ensemble, chimes, we are looking for you! As part
of in order the 50 to th make anniversary handbells celebration of Area III, we are
putting and handchimes together a viable booklet about our Area III community
and teaching professional tool in public ensembles. and
private schools. Our first
Please auction was e-mail held your at the 2010 contact information to Event
Coordinator Director’s Seminar Debbie in August, Henning, (debbiehen@gmail.com)
and she we had will twice let you as many know the information that is needed.
Thanks items for in the advance auction for at sharing the your ensemble with Area III!
discoveRING Youth Festival in
November!
Handbell Music for All Occasions
Items donated by people of
all ages included: handmade Dottie Tweedie, Director
handbell earrings, the
gift cards, (804) 357-9810
Christmas cards, scented
candles, handmade James
www.jamesriverringers.org
blankets,
baking buckets with all Email: jamesriverringers@yahoo.com
River
the ingredients for making 11001 Continental Road
cookies, Ringers
stained-glass items, Quinton, VA 23141
tree decorations, games, a community food, handbell ensemble serving
knick-knacks, pottery, many different metro Richmond, Christmas VA items, a
Creative Concerts, Memories weddings, Kit and autographed entertainment, music. workshops
Not only did we have a couple of very quiet, very entertaining
AREA III MENTORING INITIATIVE
Are you an experienced director
• Do you have knowledge and experience that you can
share with new handbell directors in our area
• Would your choir enjoy meeting and assisting new
ringers at an Area III festival
• To be a mentor, sign up on your Area III festival
registration form!
Are you a new director
• Would you like an experienced director to talk to
• Need someone to answer your questions
• Does your choir need a workshop on bell technique
• To request a mentor, sign up on your Area III festival
registration form!
Are you planning to attend an
Area III festival for the first time
• Would your choir enjoy meeting another choir
• Area III ringers and directors can answer your
questions about classes and/or tell you and your
ringers what to expect at the event!
• To request a mentor, sign up on your Area III festival
registration form!
For more information, contact
Ingrid Bowers at ringingb@verizon.net
or your state chair (see p. 4).
11 6
“bidding wars,” * we now
have a Silent War between
What would March and April be events. without The the Director’s Area III Spring
Festivals! Next year's festivals Seminar will take raised on a new $237 format: and to
help celebrate Area III's 50th the anniversary, Youth Festival we will raised honor
our former Area III Chairs by $247. using That their puts expertise us about a in
leading our three festivals. third of the way towards our
goal!
All ringers will spend time with many former chairs as they
conduct their favorite pieces Our and next teach silent classes. auction Because
everyone will attend classes at will the be same held time, at the Area Area III III will
offer pre-registration for classes. Spring Everyone Handbell MUST Festivals select in
their classes at the time they register Ocean for City, the Richmond, festival. and
Blue Ridge. Please consider
Brochures will be mailed and also donating available something online. to Log on
to www.areaiii.org/events to these find upcoming the brochure events. for If the
festival that you would like to attend.
an item does not receive
ove
a bid during the auction,
Ocean City Festival it will be taken to the
Ocean City, MD • March 12 next - 13, silent 2010auction in the
Ken Bissell, Donna Ervin, Michael rotation. Helman,
Paul McKlveen, Charm Peterman,
Ann Y. Schmidt, David Tiller, Frances I hope Vaughan you have attended
Event Chair: Ann Rollins (wesiarollins@yahoo.com)
all of the after-Christmas
and winter sales held by the retailers!
Blue Ridge Festival
* No Flat participants Rock, NC were • harmed April 23 in the - 24, production 2010 of the silent auction.
Mark Gourley, Debbie Rice
Event Chair: Karen Strausser (kstrausser@aol.com)
Hampton Festival
Hampton, VA • April 30 - May 1, 2010
Gordon Bettenbaugh, Ken Bissell, Nancy Cappel,
Donna Ervin, Mark Gourley, Herbert Maynard,
Charm Peterman, David Tiller
Event Chair: Nick Hanson (tintinnabulator@gmail.com)
Malmark Handbells
Area III is designing a special shirt to celebrate our 50th
anniversary, and you can order shirts when you register for
the events. Look Choirchimes©
for details in the online brochure. Make
sure that you register Accessories early for these exciting festivals, and
come receive an anniversary present at the event. See
pages 11 and 12 for repertoire. SALES We’ll see you there!
EXPERT MAINTENANCE SERVICE
Virginia Handbell Consort
WORKSHOPS AND CONSULTATIONS
Shirley
A Community and Bob
Handbell Ivey
Ensemble
Concert, Festivals, and Workshops
3738 Cypress Club Dr, D-506, Charlotte, NC 28210
704-395-5958 704-641-2718
PO Box 64591, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23467
Voice Mail 757-456-1312
e-mail
Ring4Fun@AOL.com
www.VirginiaHandbellConsort.com
vhc@virginiahandbellconsort.com

Help! I Need More Hands!
by Carol Smiley, Metro DC Chair
cjs1955@cox.net
How many times have we said that I may
have some help for you: I started my bell
career in 1998 with three octaves of bells
and plenty of ringers, so I had two choirs
(a 3-octave and a 2-octave).
By the next year, I had lost several ringers, and was back
to a single choir, happily ringing all three octaves. Several
years ago, I took on a second choir at a church that owned
five octaves of bells, but only had five ringers. With me
ringing (and the organist helping), we managed to ring
two octaves. They rang two-octave pieces well, but quickly
became bored with music that was mostly Levels 1 and 2.
Since they owned five octaves and had had more ringers in
earlier years, the file drawers were full of 3-5-octave music.
But since this is a smaller church with an older congregation
(many of whom don’t drive at night), adding ringers to our
evening rehearsals was not feasible. What to do
dc
The first thing was to teach ringers the Shelley and four-inhand
techniques, allowing treble ringers to cover the upper
end of the third octave. This will take some time as you
educate the ringers, but the results are worth it. (By the way,
the younger the ringers are, the faster they “get it!”)
But what about those bass notes My ringers couldn’t
Shelley or four-in-hand the larger bells, so I had to think
outside the box. Once, I physically moved my G4–E5 ringers
down the table to ring a melody section. (They griped
and said that they couldn’t do it, but it turned out very
well!) Another time, the G4/A4 ringer malleted the melody,
covering C4 to A4.
This all requires score study. Are there notes you can leave
out Is the note duplicated in the higher register (If you
are shaky on theory, go to your local library and check out
the book Music Theory for Dummies.) Directors, when you
go to a festival or seminar, take classes to learn weaving,
four-in-hand and Shelley ringing, and take it home and teach
it! You’ll be amazed that you can ring 3-octave pieces with
only seven ringers, if those ringers know these techniques!
Teaching these techniques has really paid off. Both of my
choirs now ring at Level 2+ and Level 3 with confidence.
NC Needs You
by Marilyn Reese, North Carolina Chair
mlrncbells@nc.rr.com
2011 is here at full speed! So much is
happening, being planned, and filling
wish lists. In October, at our fall State
Chair meeting for Area III, we agreed that
the states would take over the KidzRing
(also known as a “Rookie Ring”) event so that it would be a
one-day, local event. Translation: I need volunteers to plan
and carry out this event this year. Since North Carolina is so
large, we would ideally have two events: one in the central/
eastern part of the state, and one in the central/western part.
This is an easy event to hold and I stand ready and willing to
assist the chairs of this event. If this opportunity is right for
you, contact me and we will talk more. You would only be
responsible for one event.
nc
North Carolina ringers and directors, if Ocean City
(Maryland) is too far away, opportunities still abound for
spring festivals. Please consider attending the Richmond
Another event discussed is a “Read and Ring” (for teens
and/or adults), which could be held anywhere in North
Carolina. This one-day event is also an easy one to organize,
and the music would be supplied for you. Again, I stand
ready to assist the chairperson. These sessions are such fun
as the ringers get to ring new music which they don’t have
to rehearse ahead of time. Individuals and partial choirs
can easily attend for a fun day of ringing and meeting other
ringers.
Festival (in Richmond, VA) on April 8–9, or the Blue Ridge
Festival (in Flat Rock, NC) in the beautiful North Carolina
mountains (near Hendersonville) on May 13–14. Make it
a weekend getaway, and consider bringing the family: Flat
Rock boasts Carl Sandburg’s home as well as the Flat Rock
Playhouse, hiking, good eating, and shopping.
The spring festivals give your choirs the bonding time that is
so crucial to choir-building. Single ringers and partial choirs
are always welcome, too. Can you imagine 500+ ringers
ringing en masse! “Heavenly” is a description that comes to
mind. This year will be especially meaningful in honoring
the tenth anniversary of 9/11 as the choirs ring Michael
Helman’s Prayer for Peace, dedicated to those who lost
their lives on September 11, 2001. The music cover is
(continued...)
the
James
River
Ringers
Handbell Music for All Occasions
Dottie Tweedie, Director
(804) 357-9810
www.jamesriverringers.org
Email: jamesriverringers@yahoo.com
11001 Continental Road
Quinton, VA 23141
a community handbell ensemble serving
metro Richmond, VA
Concerts, weddings, entertainment, workshops
12

Lydia Hazeltine, Delaware Chair
area3delrep@yahoo.com
No article was received from Lydia
for this issue of The Bell-O-Gram.
Ned Davis, Virginia Chair
nededavis@cox.net
No article was received from Ned
for this issue of The Bell-O-Gram.
Get Your Own!
by Linda Lamb, Maryland Chair
kenlamb1944@msn.com
Owning our very own set of handbells or
handchimes is a goal about which most
individuals only dream. Yet being district
chair led Karen Allen of Mechanicsville,
Maryland, to achieve exactly that goal.
Karen became district chair for Calvert, St. Mary’s, and
Charles counties after I moved from that position to serve as
state chair. Being the kind of person who enjoys contacting
people, Karen immediately began calling churches and
schools in the tri-county area, talking to AGEHR members
and non-members.
Along the way, she discovered that a nearby church owned
a set of handchimes, but was not using them. Karen offered
to work with the church to establish a program and they
de
said they would consider her offer and get back to her. After
md
some time, the church decided that they were not interested
in having a handchime program. Karen consulted with her
husband about the probable cost of buying the handchimes
and made an offer to purchase the set. The church agreed,
and Karen became the new owner of a two-octave set of
Malmark handchimes.
(continued from page 12)
beautifully illustrated and a score to cherish. As you ring this
piece, a video collage of scenes will be shown. We all recall
where we were that Tuesday, how we worried about friends
and relatives, how we learned the news, and our reactions.
Looking back after 10 years, let us ring to honor those we
lost that day.
Before you even know what’s happened, many of us will
take a summer break from ringing. This is the time to
reflect on the year we’ve concluded, and those who have
contributed so much to our handbell programs. As a
director, I try to find a special way to say “thank you” to my
ringers. In the 28 years I have been involved with handbells
and chimes, my ringers have found numerous ways to show
their appreciation. What have been your experiences I
would like to hear the ways you have shown and received
gratitude as part of the handbell world. E-mail me with
your experiences and ideas you may be considering. Think
big and wild, think small and practical, and everywhere in
between! I look forward to sharing your ideas in the next
issue, hopefully from the mountains to the coast!
I have received two requests for help in locating bell or
chime sets that are not being used. A choir in Raleigh and
another in Wilmington both need bells to promote their
programs. What a great predicament to be in! Many of us
have bells and struggle to find ringers. I have realized that
there is a hole in our knowledge of whose programs are not
active and have bells sitting in the closets. I need you to
help locate those unused bells and chimes. If you can help,
please contact me. If you are not in these two areas but
know of a set not being used, also let me know. I am going
to begin a list to identify sets that might be put to use. It’s
sad to see bells and not hear them!
Please note my new e-mail address (mlrncbells@nc.rr.
com) and phone number (919-523-6420). Take a moment
to contact me with bell news, ideas, local events, questions,
and to volunteer. Successful programs cannot happen
without your help and participation, so North Carolina, I’m
waiting to hear from you!
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Karen says: “As to what I am doing with them, I have one
lady who played music in high school and is re-learning
to recognize which lines and spaces are which, and we
practice once a week — she is really good at picking it up!
I wrote out some simple exercises in several keys for us to
do. However, four notes gets rather limiting, so I asked my
husband if he would like to learn to ring handchimes (how
could he say no). So now I can write little ditties using six
notes! We are progressing slowly, but groups have been
started with less than this, so I am conservatively optimistic!”
Karen also mentions using Michael Joy’s notes from his
class on rhythms, which she attended at Pinnacle last
summer in Nashville: “Soon we will move on to getting two
independent rhythms, one with each hand/arm; this seems
to be the most difficult part of bell ringing at the start.”
What else could one do with a set of handchimes For
starters, individual practicing with handchimes would be an
improvement on practicing with spoons or rice-filled saladdressing
bottles! Or one could start a children’s group,
especially with home-schooled children. Or maybe round
up a group of ringers and visit nursing homes with Ring
Along booklets – no music reading skills required. One
could always begin solo ringing with an easy piece. The
possibilities are many – supply your own justification for
owning your own set of bells or chimes. Karen says, “if you
know anyone who wants to learn to ring, please send them
my way!”
Obviously, it would be wonderful if we could revive every
program that has gone dormant, but it isn’t always possible.
So, like Karen, look for opportunities and don’t let bells or
chimes go to waste hiding in a closet!

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I firmly believe that the strength of our
organization, above all else, is its people.
I’ve said it countless times, and I’ll continue
saying it until I’m dead — handbell people
are “people people.” I think that the nature
of the instrument attracts folks who are
team-minded, and enjoy playing together
as a group. But after we’re done playing
together, are we playing together
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Sure, ringing is fun. But it’s hard work navigating tricky
passages, dissecting tough rhythms, finessing dynamics...often
at evening rehearsals which follow a full day’s work and stress.
So why not really play together As in, have fun with an
activity other than ringing (yes, they exist!). When we
are bonded together personally, it improves our sense of
ensemble. There’s no way around that: when we’re invested
in one another’s lives, we’re more clued in to one another,
which helps us ring together better. We’re “on the same page”
because we’ve learned what makes one another tick. And what
better way to do this than to get together and have fun!
“But we do that already,” you’re saying. “We have a Christmas
party every year — well, when we can fit it in — and we always
have an end-of-season potluck at Mabel’s house...”
Great. You’re responsible for hundreds of thousands of
Letters
by Michael J. Glasgow • michael@michaeljglasgow.com
notes together, and you meet once or twice a year to truly
have a time of fellowship, rapport-building and relationshipstrengthening.
A good start. How about the next step
“We can’t take the next step; getting a date that’s good for
everyone is way too hard!” is the common lament. But stay
with me: I’m doing that “thinking-outside-the-box” thing again.
I’m no stranger to a jam-packed schedule, nor are my ringers.
So I’ve given up on trying to plan an event that’s good for
everyone, knowing the odds are stacked against me in a
big way. Instead, I encourage the ringers to come up with
a semi-spontaneous activity and throw it out to the group.
Those who are interested and available will go. No RSVPs, no
reservations, no coordination...just go. (Notice, the invitations
don’t have to come from the director!)
For example: “I’m going ice skating at The Rink next Friday;
I’ll be there around 7:00; hope to see some of you there,” or
“After rehearsal next week, anybody up for appetizers at that
new wine bar I’m going; hope I’m not alone!”
Bell people tend to be social people. You’ll get some
“takers” for each event, some more than others. But more
opportunities that involve more people (even in small little
groups) will lead to better ringing: try it and watch what
happens. Trust me.
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Scholarships: yours for the winning!
Area III will offer at least one scholarship to the AGEHR 2011
National Seminar in Minneapolis, Minnesota (July 14-17) and
at least one scholarship to the 2011 Area III Directors Seminar
in Frederick, Maryland (August 26-27). Interested in applying
National Seminar application requirements
The Area III scholarship for the national event covers
registration and lodging and provides a $250 stipend to
help with transportation. Meals are not included other
than what is included in the festival registration fee.
Area III Directors Seminar requirements
The Area III scholarships cover registration and lodging
will provide a small stipend to help with transportation.
Meals are not included other than what is included
in the festival registration fee.
To Apply for Area III Scholarships
Go to www.areaiii.org/services/scholarships.htm (or click
on this ad) for more information. Print out the scholarship
application form and two copies of the scholarship
application reference form. (Note that both forms will
open in new windows.) Submit your scholarship
application and two completed reference forms to the
Scholarship Chair before the appropriate deadline.
For more information, please contact
Scholarship Chair Ed Tompkins at edtompkin@aol.com.
Applicants for any Area III scholarship must:
• Be a resident of Area III (Delaware, Maryland, North
Carolina, Virginia or Washington DC)
• Be a member of the American Guild of English Handbell
Ringers, Inc. (See www.agehr.org for details.)
• Be directing a handbell choir within Area III at the time
of application and at the time of the seminar
• Be a first time attendee to the event.
Note: in addition to the scholarship offered by Area III, the national AGEHR offers scholarships to National Seminar
through the W.D. McKeehan Scholarship Fund. Keep an eye on www.agehr.org for information on applying.
The James River Ringers Annual
2-3 Octave Festival
Friday, March 25 - Saturday, March 26, 2011
David M. Harris, Guest Clinician
Shady Grove United Methodist Church
8209 Shady Grove Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23111
We are pleased to announce JRR’s 2-3 Octave Handbell Festival with David M. Harris, director of The
Raleigh Ringers as our guest clinician! The festival will be held at Shady Grove UMC in Mechanicsville
northeast of Richmond, VA, and convenient to I-295. Come join us for an all-day ringing event designed
especially for smaller handbell choirs. You’ll spend the day perfecting pre-rehearsed repertoire and present
a public concert at the conclusion of the day. This event is perfect for choirs who have never attended a
festival before and for smaller, less advanced choirs. Partial choirs are also encouraged to attend.
Our Friday night Pre-event Workshop will feature Dave Harris working with JRR in So you want to be a
Raleigh Ringer! You may choose to be behind the tables with other JRR ringers or just sit back and observe.
This workshop is free, but you will need to pre-register in order to ring.
REPERTOIRE: ALL music must be rehearsed prior to the event. Music may be purchased from your regular
music supplier or Jeffers Handbell Supply (800-JHS-BELL). NO photocopies, please!
All Glory, Laud and Honor – arr. Cynthia Dobrinski 2-3 octave bells, Level 2. Agape 2355
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice – arr. David R. Kent 2-3 octave bells, Level 3+. Agape 2331
Lord, I Want to be a Christian – arr. Tammy Waldrop 2,3, or 4 octave bells, Level 1; Choristers Guild CGB324.
Rejoice and Ring Praises! – Robert Allen. 2-3 octave bells, Level 2. AGEHR AG23022.
Songs of Praise – arr. Susan Geschke. 2-3 octave bells, Level 2; Choristers Guild CGB327
What Wondrous Love is This – arr. Arnold Sherman. 2-3 octave bells, (opt. 2 oct. chimes), Level 2; Red River Music HB0020A
(also available in 4-5 oct., HB0020B).
See our website at www.jamesriverringers.org for more information and registration forms
or call (804) 357-9810.
15

New in Town
Area III Welcomes 16 New Members!
MARYLAND (2)
Nichols Bethel United Methodist Handbell Choir, Glen Burnie
Peace Lutheran Church, Waldorf
METRO DC (2)
Jenny Shore, Bethesda, MD
Sidwell Friends School, Washington, DC
NORTH CAROLINA (5)
Edna Johnson, Greensboro
Captain Gilmer School, Fletcher
Momeyer Baptist Church, Nashville
Winston-Salem District of The United Methodist Church, Winston-Salem
Walsh Engraving, Pineville
VIRGINIA (7)
Nancy Bohrens, Glen Allen
Mark Madott, Hampton
Good News Baptist Church, Chesapeake
Kenwood United Methodist Church, Ashland
Lebanon United Methodist Church, Dinwiddie
Marsh Memorial United Methodist Church, Lynchburg
Monterey Church Group, Monterey
Help us stay in touch with you! If you have moved or your information has changed, please contact the National
Office (1-800-878-5459x112 or membership@agehr.org) to ensure that we have your most current information.
Advertising in the bell-o-gram is an awesome
way to reach more than 1000 readers, all with an
interest in handbells!
The readership is alerted via e-mail when the
magazine is published to the Internet (four times
a year), and each issue affords
opportunities for high-resolution,
full-color ads — linked directly to
your website at no extra charge!
Even though we’re in the middle
of a publishing year, it’s not too
late to advertise in future editions.
Depending on your planning, you
may be able to take advantage of a
booking discount of 20%.
If you are interested in receiving rates, dimensions
and mechanicals, please see the info at right, and
contact editor Michael Glasgow at 919-845-0303
or michael@michaeljglasgow.com.
the bell-o-gram is published in February, May,
September and November by Area III of the AGEHR,
a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing
the musical art of handbell and handchime
ringing through education, community and
communication. The editor reserves the right to
reject or modify copy and ads.
THE DEADLINE FOR
ADVERTISING RESERVATIONS
FOR THE MAY ISSUE
IS MARCH 20.
Advertising Rates: 2010-2011 Publishing Year
Full page: $105 Half page: $75
Quarter page: $55 Eighth page: $35
Four-issue bookings receive a discount; please inquire.
16