Southern California

 

Carol Pickford – Regional Coordinator

Carol Pickford was introduced to handbells in 1979 when her church organist (Barbara Meinke’s mother!) heard about this “new” instrument, and has never looked back. She currently is a member of 3 handbell choirs (2 community groups and 1 church groups) and serves as SoCal Regional Coordinator for Area 12 as well as serving on the board for LA Bronze. She is active in many local and national events through Handbell Musicians of America. Carol’s current day job is a regional sales manager in the medical electronics industry. Carol has served on the board since 2021 and is happy to help with any questions you might have or resources you need.

[email protected]

Contact Carol for more information about handbells in the Southern California area.
UPCOMING EVENTS

Southern California Spring Ring 2025

May 3, 2025
May 17, 2025

  • Ringing in Spring - concert with San Diego Harmony Ringers

    May 17, 2025 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
    House of Prayer Lutheran Church, ELCA, 795 N Rose St, Escondido, CA 92027, USA

     San Diego Harmony Ringers is an advanced, auditioned community handbell group located in San Diego, California. From a variety of backgrounds and experience, we join together in harmony to ring with passion, beauty of expression, and a joy in sharing our music with our listeners. Selections for our spring concert include Nexus by Matthew Compton; Samba? Samba! By Alex Guebert; Aria by Sondra K. Tucker; The Irish Washerwoman arr. by Leroy Anderson and Hart Morris. Admission is free; free will offering taken during the concert.          

           

            https://www.sdhr.org/

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May 18, 2025

  • California Dreaming with Camarillo United Methodist Church Bell Choirs

    May 18, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
    Camarillo United Methodist Church, 291 Anacapa Dr, Camarillo, CA 93010, USA

    Spring is here - time to celebrate! The Camarillo UMC Bell Choirs are pleased to invite you to our annual spring bell choir concert featuring ALL FIVE of our handbell and chimes choirs. Join us for an afternoon inspiring, eclectic, and FUN handbell music including: "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High'" with choir and percussion; the African-inspired "Sherekea Usafari" by Cathy Moklebust; and Jason Krug's energetic and rhythmic "How Firm a Foundation", a collaboration with Bells of Mount Cross Lutheran. We will also be showcasing music from the great state of California, including: "City of Stars" from the movie "La La Land", "The Best of John Williams", a medley of his remarkable movie music, and the ultimate California tune, "Hotel California". We will be joined our wonderful Chancel Choir under the direction of Luvi Avendano and guest musicians. Join us for this festive event featuring beautiful bell music performed by ringers of ALL ages, from preschool to adult!

    https://camarilloumc.org/
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August 16, 2025

  • Jump Start Your Ringing Season

    August 16, 2025 @ 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
    United Methodist Church of Vista, 490 S Melrose Dr, Vista, CA 92081, USA

    South County is proud to be partnering with Stevie Berryman for a late summer workshop - Jump Start Your Ringing Season.

    The 4-hour workshop offers education and a terrific opportunity to ring in a massed setting for all levels of handbell musicians. Learning moments during the workshop will focus on technique, articulations and rhythmic drills to enhance skills and foster group cohesion needed for confident performances. Participant will explore two handbell pieces with renowned clinician Stevie Berryman. The South County Community Handbell Choir and friends will act as mentors in addition to the group instruction, participant will ring alongside handbell musicians from more experienced choirs to learn through observation and individual attention.
    Everything will be supplied for the participants and no prior preparation is needed. The 2 pieces we will be using during the workshop are:

    When Dreams Take Flight by Ron Mallory and
    Abide with Me by Jason Krug

    Refreshments will be provided for the breaks.

    In addition, directors attending the workshop will be invited to participate in a director's roundtable discussion with Stevie over lunch. (You pay for your lunch.)

    You may register at https://bit.ly/JumpStartHandbellsRegistration

    Hours
    Registration - 8:30 am
    Workshop 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

    Fees
    $35 per person
    $175 per choir of 6 or more

    Questions
    [email protected]
     
    schandbell.org
     
    This is a Handbell Musicians of America Endorsed event.
     
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