Erik Der – Regional Coordinator
LA-OC-V.area12handbellmusicians.orgIrvine, Orange County, CAErik Der is a lifelong handbell musician who appreciates the instrument for its emphasis on ensemble, movement, and rich sonic textures. He is an active ringer and has directed a variety of age groups (middle school, high school, college, adult). He is currently the Director of Handbell activities at Concordia University Irvine where he directs the Spirit Bells ensemble, teaches handbell methods, and leads CUI’s annual handbell invitationals and festivals in partnership with his colleague Alex Guebert. Quality event programming, community engagement, and education are all important to expanding handbells in our communities. If you are a director or ringer interested in learning more about handbell opportunities in Orange, Los Angeles, or adjacent counties, please be in touch with Erik! |
UPCOMING EVENTS
- May 9, 2026
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Melodies That Bind Us with LA Bronze Handbell Ensemble
May 9, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 6020 Radford Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91606, USAThe Story in the Score - Join us for a delightful journey through melodies from many famous movies. Sing along or tap your toes through familiar tunes to warm your heart.
https://www.labronzehandbells.org/projects-8
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- May 16, 2026
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Melodies That Bind Us with LA Bronze Handbell Ensemble
May 16, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Cal Heights Methodist Church, 3759 Orange Avenue Long Beach, CA 90807The Story in the Score - Join us for a delightful journey through melodies from many famous movies. Sing along or tap your toes through familiar tunes to warm your heart.
https://www.labronzehandbells.org/projects-8
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- May 30, 2026
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Melodies That Bind Us with LA Bronze Handbell Ensemble
May 30, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90503, USAThe Story in the Score - Join us for a delightful journey through melodies from many famous movies. Sing along or tap your toes through familiar tunes to warm your heart.
https://www.labronzehandbells.org/projects-8
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- July 6, 2026
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Concordia Handbell Summer Camp
July 6, 2026 - July 10, 2026 @
Concordia Irvine UniversityThe 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#################################
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- July 7, 2026
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Concordia Handbell Summer Camp
July 6, 2026 - July 10, 2026 @
Concordia Irvine UniversityThe 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#################################
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- July 8, 2026
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Concordia Handbell Summer Camp
July 6, 2026 - July 10, 2026 @
Concordia Irvine UniversityThe 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#################################
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- July 9, 2026
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Concordia Handbell Summer Camp
July 6, 2026 - July 10, 2026 @
Concordia Irvine UniversityThe 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#################################
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- July 10, 2026
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Concordia Handbell Summer Camp
July 6, 2026 - July 10, 2026 @
Concordia Irvine UniversityThe 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#################################
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- August 15, 2026
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Rev Up Your Handbell Engines
August 15, 2026 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Pacific Coast Church, 2651 Calle Frontera, San Clemente, CA 92673, USARev Up Your Handbell Engines - A workshop to tune up your handbell skills & learn two cool songs.
Saturday - August 15, 2025, 9:00 am to 3:00 pmDescription
The workshop offers education and a terrific opportunity to ring in a massed setting for all levels of handbell musicians. Starting at 9:00 am, if participants want to participate, they have a choice of three hands on coaching and mentoring sessions:- Weaving,
- 4-in-hand, and
- New to ringing/festivals/marking music for the day.
Then at 10:00 am all participants will explore two handbell pieces with clinician Anne Kelley, from Apache Junction, AZ. Anne is currently the Chair of Handbell Musicians of America (HMA), Area 11. The workshop will focus on technique, articulations, and rhythmic drills to enhance skills and foster group cohesion needed for confident performances throughout the ringing season. The South County Community Handbell Choir and friends will function as mentors. In addition to the group instruction, participants will ring alongside handbell musicians from more experienced choirs to learn through observation and individual attention.
Almost everything will be supplied for the participants, and no prior preparation is needed. Participants will be asked to bring gloves, risers if needed, and binders. There will be some of these items available for loan. Lunch is on your own and refreshments will be provided for the breaks.
This event is endorsed by Handbell Musicians of America, Inc. Handbell Musicians of America is dedicated to advancing the musical art of handbell/handchime ringing through education, community, and communication.
Registration
You can register at https://bit.ly/WorkshopRevUpRegistration
Venue
Pacific Coast Church - 2651 Calle Frontera, San Clemente, CA 92673
Hours
Registration – 8:30 am for those participating in the Coaching Sessions; 9:30 am for the rest of the workshop.
Workshop - 9:00 am/10:00 - 3 :00 pm with breaks and 75 minutes for lunch.Fees
$35 per person
$200 per choir of 6 people or more; maximum 10
Music (no concert associated with the workshop)- I'm Just a Poor Wayfaring Stranger arr. Tammy Waldrop https://www.handbellworld.com/music/MusicPiece.cfm?Piece=11201
- Praise to the Lord the Almighty arr. Sondra Tucker https://www.handbellworld.com/music/MusicPiece.cfm?Piece=20028 ~
Questions
Sharon Guilliams - schandbell@gmail.com
schandbell.orgThis is a Handbell Musicians of America endorsed event.
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