Registration for the Riverside Conference, June 13-15, in Riverside, CA is now available on the Area XII website: http://www.areaxii.org

Tim Waugh Mass Conductor

      Due to medical reasons, Debbie Rice had to step down as our mass conductor.  Tim Waugh, who is well known to handbell ringers all over America for his creativity, inventiveness, insight and fun approach to ringing, will now be conducting our mass ringing.  Tim, who is a very popular conductor, composer and clinician is also well known for his work in musicality and rhythmic acuity.  His creative way of teaching and conducting will energize and motivate you, and  we guarantee a ringing experience you'll never forget. 

                       Showcase Concerts Announced

Friday - Handbell soloist- Michele Sharik
     Michele, who is known for her graceful and flowing style of solo ringing will present "The Golden Dance", a tapestry of story and music woven together in a presentation that takes the listener on a journey from Renaissance England to the Golden Gate and all points in between. Jukka-Peka Vainio will be joining her on the cello and she'll be accompanied by  Seppo Kirkenen on piano.  Born and raised in Ohio, Michele began her musical career with the flute and studied composition and flute performance at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.  She is presently a member of America's premier professional ensemble, Sonos, and is the Director of Handbells for two San Francisco Bay Area churches.

Saturday Afternoon- Special Needs Concert
      Come be inspired by two special needs choirs.  Hope University became the first institution to offer an arts centered curriculum for adults with developmental disabilities. Director Kelly Summer brings the Hope University Handbell Choir  for  their first Showcase concert at an Area XII event.  This concert will also showcase the ARC Handbell Choir which was founded by two parents of  developmentally disabled children.  They believe that making music is their way of saying to the community "Thank you for helping us and for recognizing our talents and contributions"   We are fortunate to have both choirs joining us, and you can bet they'll be bringing their smiles with them. 

Saturday Night- San Diego Harmony Ringers
     The San Diego Harmony Ringers, formed in 1999, is a non profit auditioned community handbell ensemble of advanced ringers from the San Diego area that focuses on musical excellence.   Under the baton of Joel Rodriguez , this ensemble performs on 5 octaves of Schulmerich bells, 3 1/2 octaves of Malmark bells, and 3 1/2 octs. of Malmark choirchimes.  They have been featured in concerts at the Huntington Library, Museum of San Diego History, Spreckels Organ Pavilion, and the Bob Burton Performing Arts Center. 

Worship Service- Low Ding Zone
       Low Ding Zone (LDZ), the first 'bass-focused" handbell ensemble, will provide music for the worship service with a gospel focus.  LDZ's mission is to explore and stretch the musical, technical, and theatrical envelope of bass ringing in order to demonstrate that "impossible" often means no more than "demanding but doable."

                              Genesis Track for Beginners...

If you are a new ringer or beginning choir try our new ONE DAY Genesis Track for $75. This one day track will be  Saturday June 14.  This is a great opportunity to   learn the basics and get individual coaching from  Bill and Lee Waggener.  Registration fee includes participation in all of the scheduled Genesis sessions, all handouts and other take home materials, and the Saturday evening Conference Banquet and showcase concert.  Registrants will be notified of three pieces of music which must be purchased ahead of the event, although no rehearsal on them is expected.  (Please see the special letter from the Waggeners explaining this class below)

Online Registration is now available on the  Area XII website:Areaxii

You can  register for the conference and your classes on line.  Each ringer will need to register individually (directors can register all of their ringers as a group, but will need to provide individual contact information.)  We will be accepting credit cards through the website or you can mail us a check once you've completed your registration online.  Continue to check out the www.areaxii.org website for more information.  If you are not online call the chair at 415-586-5400 for information to register.

                  Conference Choir for that extra challenge..

For an additional $65 advanced ringers can challenge themselves by participating in the Conference Choir under the direction of Tim Waugh.  This starts Thursday, June 12th  at 3 p.m. and culminates with a mini concert  on Friday afternoon. 

 

                                 
                                   Conference Committee

                                           Registration:  Kathy Arnold  650-704-2345
                                           Classes/Showcase Concerts: P.L. Grove  510-336-9418
                                           Concerts/Vendors: Carol Smith 925-672-2920
                                          Scholarships/Music: Dave Ruder 408-732-0760
                                          Other Information: William Kyle  415-586-5400
 

Choir has Openings for the Riverside Conference