Welcome to
Area 12

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

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

Calendar

  • Desert Ring Out

    February 7, 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 6:30 pm
    Hope Lutheran Church Palm Desert, 45900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA

      

    Join us for massed rehearsal starting at 2:00, or enjoy our final concert at 5:00. Individual groups are welcome to ring 2 or 3 selections, and be part of 3 Mass Ring pieces. For further information please contact Lori at [email protected].

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  • Desert Ring Out Concert

    February 7, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
    Hope Lutheran Church Palm Desert, 45900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA

    Final concert at 5:00. Individual groups are welcome to ring 2 or 3 selections, and be part of 3 Mass Ring pieces. For further information please contact Lori at [email protected].

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    See more details

  • HMA Composer Conversations with Moklebust and TBD

    February 17, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm

    Handbell Musicians of America is launching a new educational series with composers for our members. "Composer Conversations" are 75-minute sessions with two guest speakers in a moderated discussion. Attendees will hear from composers on a variety of topics, including their journey from the start of a piece to its publication, and their artistic motivation when starting a new composition. They will also share their experiences with how to approach publishers, and offer insight into the process once a piece is ​going to be published.  Sessions will include time for Q&A with attendees.
      
    Composer Conversations with Cathy Moklebust and a second guest to be determined.  Free registration for HMA members open
     
    https://handbellmusicians.org/event/composer-conversation-helman-moklebust/ 
     
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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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Recent News

Neon City Rhythms registration is open

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

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

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...

read more

Nominations open

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

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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