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 [email protected] 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

  • Distinctly Bronze East

    February 26, 2026 - March 1, 2026 @ 
    Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern, North Carolina.

    Distinctly Bronze East is an event for advanced handbell musicians, which in 2026, will be led by conductor, Michael J. Glasgow. Four days of rehearsal lead up to a Sunday afternoon concert that is open to the public and also livestreamed. This event requires participants to have significant musical skills and stamina. 
     
    Registration opens September 13.
     
    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/distinctly-bronze-east-2026/ 

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    See more details

  • Crescendo 2026

    February 27, 2026 - March 1, 2026 @ 

    Crescendo is an event for twenty-six intermediate handbell ringers, held at the Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern, North Carolina. Crescendo 2026 will be led by conductor, Barbara Meinke. The ensemble will perform two works alone, and three compositions with Distinctly Bronze. The Crescendo musicians will rehearse for three days and perform on Sunday afternoon, March 1, 2026. This concert will be open to the public and livestreamed. 

    Registration opens September 13.
    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/crescendo-2026/ 
     
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    See more details

  • Distinctly Bronze East/Crescendo final concert

    March 1, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
    Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern, North Carolina.

    Final concert live stream

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smsNV4q31Nw

    Usually available for a few weeks

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    See more details

  • Handbell Young Ringers Festival Concert at Concordia

    March 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Borland-Manske Center Charlie and Ling Zhang Orchestra Hall 1530 Concordia West Irvine, California 92612

    Concert Handbells
    Spirit Bells
    Resound
    Regional middle school ensembles

    Concordia's Handbell ensembles host a concert joined by talented regional handbell middle school ensembles. 

    Concordia's handbell ensembles have performed throughout the United States, as well as Europe, Asia, and Australia. 

    Tickets: This is a free, non-ticketed event

     

    https://www.simpletix.com/e/handbell-young-ringers-festival-concert-tickets-233001 

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    See more details

  • Area 12 Board Meeting

    March 13, 2026 - March 14, 2026 @ 
    Upland, CA

    Members in good standing are welcome to attend. Please contact [email protected] to attend.

    See more details

  • Handbell Renaissance in Concert (Concordia University)

    March 13, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    Borland-Manske Center Charlie and Ling Zhang Orchestra Hall 1530 Concordia West Irvine, California 92612

    The Orange County-based group Handbell Renaissance pushes the boundaries of ensemble ringing with self-written repertoire, advanced musicianship, and moving performances all without a conductor.
     
    Tickets: 
    General Admission: $15
    Free for students and children
     
    https://www.simpletix.com/e/handbell-renaissance-in-concert-tickets-233005  
     
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    See more details

  • Area 12 Board Meeting

    March 13, 2026 - March 14, 2026 @ 
    Upland, CA

    Members in good standing are welcome to attend. Please contact [email protected] to attend.

    See more details

Recent News

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/.

read more

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.)

read more

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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Nominations open

Oct 13, 2025 |

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...

read more

New board officer: Member-at-Large

Sep 22, 2025 |

At the most recent Area 12 Board of Directors meeting, the board created a new officer position: Member-at-Large The duties include: Assist with Area 12 projects, initiatives, and events as assigned by the Chair or Executive Committee; Support the work of other board...

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