Area XII
A A A A A
San Francisco Bay Area
 
Hello San Francisco Bay Area ringers!
 
I have been an avid ringer since the mid 1980s, when I first rang White Chapel bells in a beginning ensemble at Asbury UMC in Livermore. I am now the director of two groups at Asbury the Asbury Ringers and the Rookie Ringers who play on five octaves of Schulmerich bells and Malmark chimes. I also ring with the Walnut Creek UMC Ringing Bells, and I substitute for Canto Bello in Clayton. 
 
An entire new handbell world opened up for me when I joined AGEHR and registered the Asbury Ringers for the 2006 Area XII Ringers Conference in Belmont. This was only the beginning, and I have since attended numerous AGEHR events, including Spring Rings, the Siskiyou Conference in Ashland, OR and National Seminars in Dallas and Orlando. I love going to these workshops and seminars! Meeting composers and attending their classes is exhilarating. I have to admit that I am now a "handbell groupie," and I have many handbell compositions autographed by the composer. 
 
As the new Bay Area Regional Coordinator, I hope to expand membership by contacting handbell directors who are not active in Guild activities. I want to share my enthusiasm for workshops, where top-rated clinicians present the latest ringing techniques and the hottest compositions. So much can be learned at these events, plus they are really fun! Bell ringers share a wonderful camaraderie!
 
I hope to see you at the next event!
 
Beckie Wiley

 
Upcoming Events
 
 
Bay Area Intense Ring
Friday, March 12, 2010
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Clinician: Monica McGowan
Valley Church
Cupertino, CA
Click here for more information
Bay Area Spring Ring
Saturday, March 13, 2010
8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Clinician: Monica McGowan Valley Church
Cupertino, CA
Click here for information and registration form
Bay Area School Handbell Festival
April 15, 2010
All Saints Catholic School
Hayward, CA
Dave Ruder, Conductor
Contact: Dian Ruder at