Subheading
by Linda Onorevole
Linda Onorevole
Executive Director
Over the past few months, Handbell Musicians of America [HMA] has joined multiple national organizations. Through these partnerships, we have the opportunity to participate in conversations and initiatives addressing the importance of music education, interpersonal engagement, and the art of handbell ringing in communities around the country.
Here is more information about the organizations with which we are now affiliated.
The Coalition of Music Organizations is an affiliate of the American Musicological Society [AMS]. AMS launched the Coalition in summer 2025 to address the dramatic loss of support for music and the humanities, and to promote mutual support among music organizations. The Coalition comprises small to medium-sized music organizations, publishers, programs, and cultural institutions. It was designed to provide access to small-grant funding, outreach support, and opportunities for cooperation and conversation.
The Percussive Arts Society [PAS] is the world’s largest percussion organization and is considered the central source for information and networking for percussionists and drummers of all ages. Established in 1961 as a non-profit music service organization, PAS works to fulfill its mission to inspire, educate, and support percussionists and drummers worldwide. Today, PAS has nearly 6,000 members, with chapters representing all 50 states, and an additional 25 international chapters.
The Presbyterian Association of Musicians [PAM] is a community rooted in collaboration, creativity, and faithful worship. PAM supports musicians, clergy, educators, artists, and lay leaders through resources, conferences, and shared learning that strengthen worship and ministry. While rooted in the Presbyterian tradition, PAM joyfully welcomes and serves people from many denominations.
National Association of Pastoral Musicians [NAPM] has a network of 3,000 pastoral musicians across the world, especially in North America. Their membership represents all levels of musical skill, from Directors of Music to ensemble directors, choir members to cantors, handbell members to instrumentalists, and more.
The Fellowship of Music & Worship Artists is made up of musicians, clergy, dancers, artists, lay ministers, and others of all ages, all involved in creating, supporting, and implementing worship in local congregations.
Here are some ways HMA is already engaging with these organizations.
- HMA applied for, and has been awarded, a grant from the Coalition of Music Organizations in support of our new pre-concert lecture/demonstration series. Led by music educators, this series will be free and open to the public and presented live prior to each of the eight concerts at our 2026 National Seminar and pre-recorded before the livestream concert broadcasts. By offering this series before the performances, audiences will have a better understanding of what they will see and hear during the concerts, enhancing and deepening their overall musical experience.
- HMA will be exhibiting at PASIC, the Percussive Arts Society International Conference, which is being held November 11-14, 2026, in Indianapolis, and is attended by 6,000 artists and educators.
- HMA is one of the sponsors of the PAM Worship and Music Conference in Montreat, NC, this year, and we look forward to sharing about our organization at the event.
- HMA is advertising in the National Association of Pastoral Musicians summer conference program book and on their event app. NAPM is presenting a handbell festival as part of their conference, which is being held in Washington, DC, in July.
Perhaps you know of other organizations that may be a good fit for Handbell Musicians of America. I invite you to share this information with me via email by writing to [email protected].
Over the past few months, Handbell Musicians of America [HMA] has joined multiple national organizations. Through these partnerships, we have the opportunity to participate in conversations and initiatives addressing the importance of music education, interpersonal engagement, and the art of handbell ringing in communities around the country.
Here is more information about the organizations with which we are now affiliated.
The Coalition of Music Organizations is an affiliate of the American Musicological Society [AMS]. AMS launched the Coalition in summer 2025 to address the dramatic loss of support for music and the humanities, and to promote mutual support among music organizations. The Coalition comprises small to medium-sized music organizations, publishers, programs, and cultural institutions. It was designed to provide access to small-grant funding, outreach support, and opportunities for cooperation and conversation.
The Percussive Arts Society [PAS] is the world’s largest percussion organization and is considered the central source for information and networking for percussionists and drummers of all ages. Established in 1961 as a non-profit music service organization, PAS works to fulfill its mission to inspire, educate, and support percussionists and drummers worldwide. Today, PAS has nearly 6,000 members, with chapters representing all 50 states, and an additional 25 international chapters.
The Presbyterian Association of Musicians [PAM] is a community rooted in collaboration, creativity, and faithful worship. PAM supports musicians, clergy, educators, artists, and lay leaders through resources, conferences, and shared learning that strengthen worship and ministry. While rooted in the Presbyterian tradition, PAM joyfully welcomes and serves people from many denominations.
National Association of Pastoral Musicians [NAPM] has a network of 3,000 pastoral musicians across the world, especially in North America. Their membership represents all levels of musical skill, from Directors of Music to ensemble directors, choir members to cantors, handbell members to instrumentalists, and more.
The Fellowship of Music & Worship Artists is made up of musicians, clergy, dancers, artists, lay ministers, and others of all ages, all involved in creating, supporting, and implementing worship in local congregations.
Here are some ways HMA is already engaging with these organizations.
- HMA applied for, and has been awarded, a grant from the Coalition of Music Organizations in support of our new pre-concert lecture/demonstration series. Led by music educators, this series will be free and open to the public and presented live prior to each of the eight concerts at our 2026 National Seminar and pre-recorded before the livestream concert broadcasts. By offering this series before the performances, audiences will have a better understanding of what they will see and hear during the concerts, enhancing and deepening their overall musical experience.
- HMA will be exhibiting at PASIC, the Percussive Arts Society International Conference, which is being held November 11-14, 2026, in Indianapolis, and is attended by 6,000 artists and educators.
- HMA is one of the sponsors of the PAM Worship and Music Conference in Montreat, NC, this year, and we look forward to sharing about our organization at the event.
- HMA is advertising in the National Association of Pastoral Musicians summer conference program book and on their event app. NAPM is presenting a handbell festival as part of their conference, which is being held in Washington, DC, in July.
Perhaps you know of other organizations that may be a good fit for Handbell Musicians of America. I invite you to share this information with me via email by writing to [email protected].
Linda Onorevole
Executive Director
