by Linda Onorevole
Linda Onorevole
Executive Director
To help us expand handbell opportunities for individuals, ensembles, and organizations from underrepresented communities, Handbell Musicians of America [HMA] has formed the Handbell Opportunities Committee. The definition of underrepresented communities for the purpose of this committee’s work includes ethnicity, socioeconomics, religion, gender, people with physical disabilities, people with emotional disabilities, people with developmental disabilities, LGBTQIA+, age, nationality, and geography (i.e. rural, urban, suburban).
With the help of the Handbell Opportunities Committee, and the commitment of our board and staff, HMA will: 1) Highlight existing handbell programs and activities from underrepresented communities on a national level. 2) Provide artistic and educational opportunities for qualified individuals from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and environments. This includes on the podium, in our classrooms, and within concert programming. 3) Assist with providing access to instruments, music, guidance, and related supplies to start or expand activities in underrepresented communities.
This work relates directly to our organization’s values:
- We listen and respond to the needs of the handbell community.
- We strive for musical excellence at all skill levels.
- We include all ages, backgrounds, and interests.
- We endeavor to be a diverse community.
- We create partnerships with those who share our goals and values.
- We act as responsible stewards of resources placed in our care
The Handbell Opportunities Committee’s first task last fall was to review programs and activities that HMA has in-place to assist underrepresented communities and recommend any improvements that could be made. One focus identified was our scholarship programs. We determined that although funds for event registration fees were helpful, economic barriers were not necessarily negated due to the costs associated with travel and lodging. Based on these conversations, we immediately began providing additional funding to better serve our scholarship recipients.
This summer, HMA launched a Diversity Discussion Series consisting of interactive conversations, offered in-person and online, each focusing on a different aspect of diversity, all with the goal of learning from each other. These conversations, hosted by the Handbell Opportunities Committee, are welcoming, safe places for people to share their experiences and ideas, and we utilize this guide: “Principles for How We Treat Each Other: Our Practice of Respect and Community Building,” created by the Peace and Justice Institute (peacejusticeinstitute.org).
The first Diversity Discussion was held at National Seminar and focused on People of Color. We were excited to have nearly 50 people attend (almost 10% of the total number of attendees at National Seminar!) and grateful to everyone for thoughtfully participating.
We are integrating what we learned into our planning for 2027.
If you were not able to be in Cincinnati this summer, we invite you to join us for the online version of the Diversity Discussion focusing on People of Color. This will take place later in the fall, and the date, time, and details will be shared in an upcoming “This Week at HMA” email and on our website (handbellmusicians.org). If you are not receiving the weekly email and would like to, write to [email protected] and request to be added.
The Diversity Discussion Series will continue in 2027 at National Seminar in Albuquerque in July, with a new topic to be determined from survey results from our constituents. The survey link will be shared in a weekly email and on our website. We will also host an online session on this topic in fall 2027.
The information shared with you in this article is just a snapshot of what we are doing to continually engage underrepresented communities with our instrument and organization. As our mission states, we are dedicated to advancing the musical art of handbell and handchime ringing through education, community and communication. These are the same conduits we will use to broaden our reach, and we invite to be part of the evolution. Please answer the upcoming survey, attend an in-person or online Diversity Discussion, or share any ideas you may have on this subject with me ([email protected]).
To help us expand handbell opportunities for individuals, ensembles, and organizations from underrepresented communities, Handbell Musicians of America [HMA] has formed the Handbell Opportunities Committee. The definition of underrepresented communities for the purpose of this committee’s work includes ethnicity, socioeconomics, religion, gender, people with physical disabilities, people with emotional disabilities, people with developmental disabilities, LGBTQIA+, age, nationality, and geography (i.e. rural, urban, suburban).
With the help of the Handbell Opportunities Committee, and the commitment of our board and staff, HMA will: 1) Highlight existing handbell programs and activities from underrepresented communities on a national level. 2) Provide artistic and educational opportunities for qualified individuals from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and environments. This includes on the podium, in our classrooms, and within concert programming. 3) Assist with providing access to instruments, music, guidance, and related supplies to start or expand activities in underrepresented communities.
This work relates directly to our organization’s values:
- We listen and respond to the needs of the handbell community.
- We strive for musical excellence at all skill levels.
- We include all ages, backgrounds, and interests.
- We endeavor to be a diverse community.
- We create partnerships with those who share our goals and values.
- We act as responsible stewards of resources placed in our care
The Handbell Opportunities Committee’s first task last fall was to review programs and activities that HMA has in-place to assist underrepresented communities and recommend any improvements that could be made. One focus identified was our scholarship programs. We determined that although funds for event registration fees were helpful, economic barriers were not necessarily negated due to the costs associated with travel and lodging. Based on these conversations, we immediately began providing additional funding to better serve our scholarship recipients.
This summer, HMA launched a Diversity Discussion Series consisting of interactive conversations, offered in-person and online, each focusing on a different aspect of diversity, all with the goal of learning from each other. These conversations, hosted by the Handbell Opportunities Committee, are welcoming, safe places for people to share their experiences and ideas, and we utilize this guide: “Principles for How We Treat Each Other: Our Practice of Respect and Community Building,” created by the Peace and Justice Institute (peacejusticeinstitute.org).
The first Diversity Discussion was held at National Seminar and focused on People of Color. We were excited to have nearly 50 people attend (almost 10% of the total number of attendees at National Seminar!) and grateful to everyone for thoughtfully participating.
We are integrating what we learned into our planning for 2027.
If you were not able to be in Cincinnati this summer, we invite you to join us for the online version of the Diversity Discussion focusing on People of Color. This will take place later in the fall, and the date, time, and details will be shared in an upcoming “This Week at HMA” email and on our website (handbellmusicians.org). If you are not receiving the weekly email and would like to, write to [email protected] and request to be added.
The Diversity Discussion Series will continue in 2027 at National Seminar in Albuquerque in July, with a new topic to be determined from survey results from our constituents. The survey link will be shared in a weekly email and on our website. We will also host an online session on this topic in fall 2027.
The information shared with you in this article is just a snapshot of what we are doing to continually engage underrepresented communities with our instrument and organization. As our mission states, we are dedicated to advancing the musical art of handbell and handchime ringing through education, community and communication. These are the same conduits we will use to broaden our reach, and we invite to be part of the evolution. Please answer the upcoming survey, attend an in-person or online Diversity Discussion, or share any ideas you may have on this subject with me ([email protected]).
Linda Onorevole
Executive Director
