Welcome to
Area 12

Serving California, Nevada, Hawaii and Guam (and other US Pacific Islands)

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Neon City Rhythms - June 18-20, 2026 in Las Vegas, NV

Plan on joining Area 12 members ringing together for our biennial conference!

Registration opens February 1, 2026.

2026 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BRONZE VISION AND SPRING RING with BARBARA MEINKE

Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2, 2026
St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1450 South Melrose Dr., Oceanside, CA 92056

It’s time for the 2026 Southern California Spring Ring!  Our festival this year will again be in beautiful Oceanside, in San Diego County, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Our site hosts, Douglas Lynn and the Tower Bells, are looking forward to seeing all of you there once again, with Barbara Meinke returning as our clinician this year and she has picked some GREAT music!

Click for registration information

Nominations open for elected officers

It is that time to prepare for elections. We are looking for nominations for the three elected positions: Chair (6-year-cycle), Secretary (2-year cycle), and Treasurer (2-year cycle). We need two candidates to be placed on the ballot for each position. Would you or someone you know be interested in a nomination for the ballot?

If you are interested in or know of someone who might be interested in any of these elected or appointed positions, please contact Marci Nuoffer at pastchair.area12@handbellmusicians.org with any nominations.

Do you want to be a mentor?

Would you like to be a resource for handbells in Area 12? Please click to submit your information to be added to the Area 12 list of teachers and mentors.

(If you are looking for a mentor, please contact the Education Coordinator.)

Click Here

Volunteer to serve on the Area 12 Board

There are many appointed positions on the Area 12 Board.  Do you have a few hours every month?  Consider volunteering to serve on the board. Openings include Membership Director, Member-at-Large,and Event Director.
Contact the Chair if interested in serving on the board.

Click Here

Area Website Banner Advertising now available!

Do you have an upcoming handbell event? Have a concert? Sell handbell items?  You can now advertise on the Area 12 website right here!  Click for details.

Click Here

Check out the latest issue of the 12th Tone Newsletter

Learn more about what upcoming events are happening and what the Area 12 board is up to.

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Donate to Area 12

Calendar

  • Bay Area Spring Ring and Intense Ring

    April 18, 2026
    Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church, 728 W Fremont Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94087, USA

    Massed ringing and performance with clinician Brian Childers.
    https://www.handbellventures.org/
     
    This event is endorsed by the Handbell Musicians of America.
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    See more details

  • Discover - "Entertaining Handbell Music" with the South County Community Handbell Choir

    April 26, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
    San Clemente's Historic Casino 140 W. Ave. Pico San Clemente 92672

    South County Community Handbell Choir and Bellissima from St. Serra Catholic School are proud to present Discover - "Entertaining Handbell Music" for the benefit of Family Assistance Ministries (FAM). The concert will include a variety of musical pieces including toe tapping handbell pieces as well as familiar secular and sacred songs spanning all musical genres. There will be pieces with guitar, flute and voices. Come and "discover" all the things that handbells can do while helping those in need. We are pleased to once again present this concert as San Clemente's Historic Casino. You can get your free tickets at tinyurl.com/DiscoverHandbellConcert.

    www.schandbell.org for more information
     
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    See more details

Recent News

April newsletter

Apr 1, 2026 | , ,

Check out the latest issue of the Area 12 Twelfth Tone newsletter.   Preview a number of upcoming events, including June's Neon City Rhythms.  Plus elections call.

read more

Area 12 at DBE 2026

Mar 14, 2026 |

Check out the happy crew of Area 12 folks (and Neon City Rhythms clinician Michael Glasgow) at Distinctly Bronze East from February 2026  

read more

Neon City Rhythms registration is open

Feb 1, 2026 | ,

Neon City Rhythms Registration with guest clinician Michael Glasgow opens February 1, 2026!  Please register HERE. You can check out everything related to the conference at https://area12.handbellmusicians.org/ncr2026/.

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January board meeting

Jan 17, 2026 |

Your Area 12 board met today, virtually, to discuss the 2026 conference and other topics. (Area 12 members are welcome to attend board meetings.)

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Remembering David Ruder

Nov 12, 2025 |

The Area 12 Board has recently learned that Dave Ruder has passed away. David Ruder served the Area 12 Board from 1990 through 1994, and 2000 to 2008, including as the Area 12 Chair from 2004-2006.  He also served on AGEHR/HMA Education committees in the intervening...

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