Congratulations - Area III

Bells In Educationby Linda Simms, Educational Liaisonkeys2ring@aol.comAs a retired music educator, I am wellaware of the educational and social valueof putting chimes (and handbells) into thehands of children and youth. Aside fromthe obvious value of learning how to read music, kids canlearn to work cooperatively together to achieve a commongoal and develop a life-long musical skill in the process. Inaddition, there is a long list of specific musical goals andbenefits as they apply to the National Standards for MusicEducation that is familiar to all music educators. The valueis tremendous.The vision of the Area 3 Board is to put more effort intodeveloping chime programs in Area 3 schools as a means toperpetuate the art of ringing. Area 3 is on the way to makinga difference in the lives of children and in the future ofringing in our five states.Recently, Area 3 Board Member Marilyn Converse and Iwere exhibitors for Area 3 at the Maryland Music EducatorsAssociation conference at the Baltimore Civic Center. Wegreeted and informally “interviewed” numerous musiceducators who stopped by our booth in between concertsand a wide array of classes. We learned about some who hadexisting programs, and discovered many who are interestedin starting programs. This was a great way to further ourgoal to increase chime groups in Area 3. However, to createan inclusive list, we need your help!Here are three things you can do to help:1. Send me the names of schools in your community withexisting handbell/handchime programs.2. Send me the names of schools in your community whoown bells/chimes but have no current ringing program.3. Send me the names of schools in your community thatare interested in starting a chime program.Once these schools have been identified, I will determinehow many schools need mentors to revive programs, andidentify pilot schools in which to begin programs. I will pairmentors to music educators to work together. Meanwhile,the Area 3 Board will determine how many sets of chimescan be purchased, and eventually those chime sets will begiven to qualifying schools. The details are not complete,but the potential is great for music educators who want torevive or begin a new chime program.There is much to be done, but the future of Area 3 willbe more musical with far more ringers as a result of thisongoing quest to put chimes in the hands of our kids!Editor’s Note: If you are interested in starting a programwith “loaner” chimes, you may be eligible to borrow a setof chimes from Area 3 for just that purpose! Please see thearticle on page 10 about our CHIME loan program!Scholarships: life - changingby Linda Lamb,Scholarship Chairkenlamb1944@msn.comI love our national events: NationalSeminar, Pinnacle, Handbell Spectacular,whatever names it’s had from year toyear. I get to visit with handbell friendsthat I see only once a year. We e-mail allyear long, but at the biggest handbell event of the year, wemeet face-to-face, and together we attend great classes andfantastic concerts. We get to share meals and social timestogether. Handbell people are the world’s best.I love Area 3 events – Director’s Seminar, discoveRINGYouth, Adult Festival Conference, BRAVISSIMO!, whateverthey call all those events...oh wait, I’m repeating myself, butyou get the idea: I just love attending handbell events!But it wasn’t always that way. I remember the first eventI ever attended, an Area 3 Directors’ Seminar. I was thewallflower of all time, with a painful smile on my face,wishing the floor would open up and swallow me. (Noteto self: look for people having that same non-experienceat future events and befriend them.) The floor didn’tcooperate, and I survived.So what happened between the painful experience andthe present situation? I attended more events. I tookgroups to festivals. I was awarded the Area 3 scholarshipand attended my first national event in Spokane back in1997. I volunteered to help at events, or on the local levelas a district chair or state chair. And in all that doing, I metpeople. And I met them again at the next event. And thenext, and the next, and we became friends.So how can you get started? By applying for a scholarshipto attend either the National Seminar in Cincinnati (July18-21) or the Area 3 Directors’ Seminar in Fredericksburg(September 7-8). Check out scholarship information atwww.areaiii.org/?page_id=443 for more information.Click on “Scholarship Application and Scholarship Form”at the bottom of that page for the forms you need to apply.To apply you must meet the following requirements:• Be a resident of Area 3• Be a member of the Handbell Musicians of America, Inc.• Be directing a handbell choir within Area 3 at the time ofapplication and at the time of the event• Be a first-time attendee to the event you’re applying for.For more information about the events:National Seminar:www.handbellmusicians.org/events/nationalseminar2012/Area 3 Directors’ Seminar: www.areaiii.org/?page_id=332.About that 1997 National Seminar: when I returned home, Iwas asked by friends if I now knew everything there was toknow about handbells. I replied, “No, but I’ve been in thepresence of those who do.” So now it’s your turn to soak upthat knowledge – apply for a scholarship! (See also page 5.)