The Handbell Musicians of America (also known as the Guild) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the musical art of handbell ringing through education, community and communication.
Established in 1954, first as the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, the Guild grew out of the previously established New England Guild of English Handbell Ringers. Its primary objectives are to educate, promote the exchange of ideas relating to handbell and handchime ringing, and sponsor educational activities. The Guild’s membership of approximately 7,000 includes mostly directors of handbell or handchime choirs across the country. The Guild is divided into 12 two- to five-state areas, which are further divided into individual states or regions. Through these twelve areas and at the national level, the Guild seeks to carry out its motto, “Uniting People Through a Musical Art.”
Most recently, the Guild has changed its name from the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers to the Handbell Ringers of America. The organization no longer uses the acronym AGEHR, but still refers to itself as "the Guild."
For more about the creation and history of the Handbell Musicians of America, see the National Guild website. There you will also find information on national events, networking, resources for directors and ringers, Guild music, and how to become a member of the Handbell Musicians of America.
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