Bell/Chime Loan Program
How would you like to have a three-octave set of handbells or handchimes to use at your school for a semester?
Area 12 has sets of each instrument available exclusively for public school or private school use. You could use them in a variety of ways to supplement your music program, such as with your vocal choir, or to start a handchime or handbell performance group, or as an adjunct to your music appreciation classes. The musical equipment comes complete with foam pads and instructions. A consultant from Area 12 is also available (by phone or other virtual means) to help you get started working with any education level from grade school through university.
There is only a minimal cost involved in borrowing bells or chimes from Area 12. Participants in this loan program are responsible for any shipping costs (if applicable), and maintaining insurance coverage while the instrument is in their possession. Also, sheet music is not included. Other than that, the bells or chimes are offered free of charge to help support music education in schools.
If you think you would like to start a bell program at your school, there is also no better way to build interest and support than to borrow a set of bells so that others can see firsthand why you’re so excited about them.
To download an application, click here.
For further information, questions, or to discuss in more detail the possibility of borrowing bells or chimes for your program, please contact the Area 12 Education Director at [email protected].
The first set of handbells used in the loan program was purchased by Area 12 to honor Erma Bassett.
Erma Bassett was born in Canada. She started her musical education at age five and eventually graduated with first class honors from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada, as a concert pianist and teacher. She concertized and broadcast two-piano works, and taught private piano lessons in Canada, Los Angeles, and Laguna Beach. In 1962, a set of Schulmerich handbells was presented to Laguna Beach Presbyterian Church, and handbells became a very special part of her life. Her first bell festival was in Santa Barbara where nine choirs attended. She worked with handbells in both northern and southern California and also Nevada. Erma served the Area XII Board of Directors from 1979 -1992 as district representative (now Regional Coordinator) of Nevada.