Welcome to
Area 12

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

Join Today

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.

Click Here
Donate to Area 12

Calendar

  • Concordia Handbell Summer Camp

    July 6, 2026 - July 10, 2026 @ 
    Concordia Irvine University

    The Concordia Handbell Summer Camp is a week long, fun filled experience for kids grades 5 - 9. No handbell or music experience is required to attend. Attendees will spend the week experiencing our music facilities while improving their handbell skills and general music abilities. Registration includes daily lunches, five days full of music activities and learning, snacks, a mini golf outing, a closing concert for the family, and so much more!

    Registration fee: $395
    Registration Deadline: Register by June 8 
     
    https://www.simpletix.com/e/handbell-summer-camp-2026-tickets-260079 

    #################################

    See more details

  • Concordia Handbell Summer Camp

    July 6, 2026 - July 10, 2026 @ 
    Concordia Irvine University

    The Concordia Handbell Summer Camp is a week long, fun filled experience for kids grades 5 - 9. No handbell or music experience is required to attend. Attendees will spend the week experiencing our music facilities while improving their handbell skills and general music abilities. Registration includes daily lunches, five days full of music activities and learning, snacks, a mini golf outing, a closing concert for the family, and so much more!

    Registration fee: $395
    Registration Deadline: Register by June 8 
     
    https://www.simpletix.com/e/handbell-summer-camp-2026-tickets-260079 

    #################################

    See more details

  • Concordia Handbell Summer Camp

    July 6, 2026 - July 10, 2026 @ 
    Concordia Irvine University

    The Concordia Handbell Summer Camp is a week long, fun filled experience for kids grades 5 - 9. No handbell or music experience is required to attend. Attendees will spend the week experiencing our music facilities while improving their handbell skills and general music abilities. Registration includes daily lunches, five days full of music activities and learning, snacks, a mini golf outing, a closing concert for the family, and so much more!

    Registration fee: $395
    Registration Deadline: Register by June 8 
     
    https://www.simpletix.com/e/handbell-summer-camp-2026-tickets-260079 

    #################################

    See more details

  • Concordia Handbell Summer Camp

    July 6, 2026 - July 10, 2026 @ 
    Concordia Irvine University

    The Concordia Handbell Summer Camp is a week long, fun filled experience for kids grades 5 - 9. No handbell or music experience is required to attend. Attendees will spend the week experiencing our music facilities while improving their handbell skills and general music abilities. Registration includes daily lunches, five days full of music activities and learning, snacks, a mini golf outing, a closing concert for the family, and so much more!

    Registration fee: $395
    Registration Deadline: Register by June 8 
     
    https://www.simpletix.com/e/handbell-summer-camp-2026-tickets-260079 

    #################################

    See more details

  • HMA Master Series: Composition

    July 9, 2026 - July 11, 2026 @ 
    Myers Park United Methodist Church, Charlotte, NC

    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/composition-masterclass-2026/
     
    For more details   Deadline to apply January 31, 2026. 
     
    #################################################################

    See more details

  • HMA Master Series: Conducting

    July 9, 2026 - July 11, 2026 @ 
    Myers Park United Methodist Church, Charlotte, NC

    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/conducting-masterclass/
     
    For more details   Deadline to apply January 31, 2026. 
     
    #################################################################

    See more details

  • Concordia Handbell Summer Camp

    July 6, 2026 - July 10, 2026 @ 
    Concordia Irvine University

    The Concordia Handbell Summer Camp is a week long, fun filled experience for kids grades 5 - 9. No handbell or music experience is required to attend. Attendees will spend the week experiencing our music facilities while improving their handbell skills and general music abilities. Registration includes daily lunches, five days full of music activities and learning, snacks, a mini golf outing, a closing concert for the family, and so much more!

    Registration fee: $395
    Registration Deadline: Register by June 8 
     
    https://www.simpletix.com/e/handbell-summer-camp-2026-tickets-260079 

    #################################

    See more details

  • HMA Master Series: Composition

    July 9, 2026 - July 11, 2026 @ 
    Myers Park United Methodist Church, Charlotte, NC

    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/composition-masterclass-2026/
     
    For more details   Deadline to apply January 31, 2026. 
     
    #################################################################

    See more details

  • HMA Master Series: Conducting

    July 9, 2026 - July 11, 2026 @ 
    Myers Park United Methodist Church, Charlotte, NC

    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/conducting-masterclass/
     
    For more details   Deadline to apply January 31, 2026. 
     
    #################################################################

    See more details

  • HMA Master Series: Composition

    July 9, 2026 - July 11, 2026 @ 
    Myers Park United Methodist Church, Charlotte, NC

    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/composition-masterclass-2026/
     
    For more details   Deadline to apply January 31, 2026. 
     
    #################################################################

    See more details

  • HMA Master Series: Conducting

    July 9, 2026 - July 11, 2026 @ 
    Myers Park United Methodist Church, Charlotte, NC

    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/conducting-masterclass/
     
    For more details   Deadline to apply January 31, 2026. 
     
    #################################################################

    See more details

  • Hymn Festival - Cincinnati, OH

    July 13, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church, 1345 Grace Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208, USA

    Monday, July 13, 2026, 7:00 PM
    Hymn Festival
    Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church (Cincinnati, OH)
    In-person event & livestream broadcast
     
    https://www.youtube.com/@HandbellMusicians 
     
    ############################################## 

    See more details

  • National Seminar 2026

    July 14, 2026 - July 18, 2026 @ 
    Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio,

    Come together for an opportunity to mingle, ring and learn.
     
    Early registration (time payments available) through 12/31/25.
    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/national-seminar-2026/ 
     
    ##############################################################

    See more details

  • Distinctly Teen 2026

    July 15, 2026 - July 18, 2026 @ 
    Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio,

    Distinctly Teen is a fun and exciting handbell event for ringers ages 13-18. Participants will spend 4 days playing intermediate to advanced repertoire and developing skills in handbell technique and general musicianship under the leadership of conductor, Dr. Lynn Atkins. Distinctly Teen will perform a concert on Saturday, July 18, 2026, during National Seminar, which will also be livestreamed. Distinctly Teen is being held at the Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Registration for the event is $150.00
     
    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/distinctly-teen-2026/
     
    ##############################################################

    See more details

  • Bronze Ringers (Indiana) National Seminar concert

    July 15, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
    Cincinnati, OH


    Live streamed on HMA YouTube.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA8eiObDYVI
      #############################################

    See more details

  • Bells in Motion (Illinois), National Seminar concert

    July 15, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
    Cincinnati, OH


    Live streamed on HMA YouTube.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4_Ti81P0Fg
      #############################################

    See more details

  • National Seminar 2026

    July 14, 2026 - July 18, 2026 @ 
    Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio,

    Come together for an opportunity to mingle, ring and learn.
     
    Early registration (time payments available) through 12/31/25.
    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/national-seminar-2026/ 
     
    ##############################################################

    See more details

  • Distinctly Teen 2026

    July 15, 2026 - July 18, 2026 @ 
    Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio,

    Distinctly Teen is a fun and exciting handbell event for ringers ages 13-18. Participants will spend 4 days playing intermediate to advanced repertoire and developing skills in handbell technique and general musicianship under the leadership of conductor, Dr. Lynn Atkins. Distinctly Teen will perform a concert on Saturday, July 18, 2026, during National Seminar, which will also be livestreamed. Distinctly Teen is being held at the Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Registration for the event is $150.00
     
    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/distinctly-teen-2026/
     
    ##############################################################

    See more details

  • Trinity Ringers (Indiana) National Seminar concert

    July 16, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
    Cincinnati, OH


    Live streamed on HMA YouTube.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR8EJVCAvxY
      #############################################

    See more details

  • Ring Sarasota (Florida), National Seminar concert

    July 16, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
    Cincinnati, OH


    Live streamed on HMA YouTube.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9sjYVrxERA
      #############################################

    See more details

  • National Seminar 2026

    July 14, 2026 - July 18, 2026 @ 
    Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio,

    Come together for an opportunity to mingle, ring and learn.
     
    Early registration (time payments available) through 12/31/25.
    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/national-seminar-2026/ 
     
    ##############################################################

    See more details

  • Distinctly Teen 2026

    July 15, 2026 - July 18, 2026 @ 
    Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio,

    Distinctly Teen is a fun and exciting handbell event for ringers ages 13-18. Participants will spend 4 days playing intermediate to advanced repertoire and developing skills in handbell technique and general musicianship under the leadership of conductor, Dr. Lynn Atkins. Distinctly Teen will perform a concert on Saturday, July 18, 2026, during National Seminar, which will also be livestreamed. Distinctly Teen is being held at the Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Registration for the event is $150.00
     
    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/distinctly-teen-2026/
     
    ##############################################################

    See more details

  • Chicago Bronze (Illinois) National Seminar concert

    July 17, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
    Cincinnati, OH


    Live streamed on HMA YouTube.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAoFG6ro944
      #############################################

    See more details

  • Detroit Handbell Ensemble (Michigan) National Seminar concert

    July 17, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
    Cincinnati, OH


    Live streamed on HMA YouTube.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ3naCsblGc
      #############################################

    See more details

  • National Seminar 2026

    July 14, 2026 - July 18, 2026 @ 
    Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio,

    Come together for an opportunity to mingle, ring and learn.
     
    Early registration (time payments available) through 12/31/25.
    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/national-seminar-2026/ 
     
    ##############################################################

    See more details

  • Distinctly Teen 2026

    July 15, 2026 - July 18, 2026 @ 
    Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio,

    Distinctly Teen is a fun and exciting handbell event for ringers ages 13-18. Participants will spend 4 days playing intermediate to advanced repertoire and developing skills in handbell technique and general musicianship under the leadership of conductor, Dr. Lynn Atkins. Distinctly Teen will perform a concert on Saturday, July 18, 2026, during National Seminar, which will also be livestreamed. Distinctly Teen is being held at the Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Registration for the event is $150.00
     
    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/distinctly-teen-2026/
     
    ##############################################################

    See more details

  • All-Star Choir & Distinctly Teen National Seminar concert

    July 18, 2026 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Cincinnati, OH


    Live streamed on HMA YouTube.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKADsP5xgRU
      #############################################

    See more details

Recent News

Election results!!

Jun 29, 2026 |

We are excited to announce our newly elected members of the Area 12 board! Beginning in September, the following people will be serving on our executive committee. Chair-elect - Tessique Houston Secretary - Carol Flint Treasurer - Marc Davidson Congratulations to...

read more

June 2026 Area 12 Board Meeting

Jun 6, 2026 | ,

Your Area 12 board meet today via Zoom to finialize some things for the Area 12 biennial conference coming up in less than TWO WEEKS!!  (Registration still open.)  Plus some other things the board is working on. And a reminder:  Area 12's biennial elections are open. ...

read more

June 12th Tone issue available

Jun 6, 2026 | , ,

Check out the latest edition of the Area 12 newsletter, the Twelfth Tone. Issue looks at the ramping up to the Neon City Rhythms (in two weeks!), ongoing elections (deadline to vote June 20). Summarizing a few spring activities and looking forward to some (late)...

read more

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

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

* indicates required

 

Newsletter Subscriptions

You will automatically be subscribed to National emails. Additionally, you may subscribe to emails from any of the Areas by checking them below