Chiming In
Ringing Close to Home
Discover Area, State, and Local Events
Now that our summer national event, Pinnacle, has wrapped up, it’s time to start looking ahead—not just to next year’s national gathering, but also to the many Area and local events happening in the meantime.
Executive Notes
Ringing in Varied Styles
Pinnacle Performances: Something for Everyone
While sitting in the Mary Jane Teall Theater in Wichita a few weeks ago listening to the Pinnacle performances, I felt an array of emotions. These feelings were not just caused by the music itself, but also by recognizing that there were 400+ people sharing these musical experiences.
Membership Matters
A Wonderful Thing Happened on the Way to Pinnacle
The final leg of my journey to Pinnacle this summer was a 90-minute flight from Chicago to Wichita. The last two passengers to board were a father and his adult son, who had an intellectual disability. The son was yelling, spewing profanity, and clearly upset. The pair was seated two rows behind me. As soon [...]
From the President's Pen
Fulfilling HMA’s Mission as a National Board
As president of Handbell Musicians of America (HMA), I reflect quite often on how the organization is fulfilling its promise to elevate the art of handbell ringing. At the heart of this work is our National Board of Directors, which serves not as a managerial body but as a visioning board, embracing the Carver Governance [...]
What's Happening
Now Accepting Nominations for Honorary Life Membership Award
We are now accepting nominations for the most prestigious designation Handbell Musicians of America bestows, that of Honorary Life Membership. This distinction is reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the art of handbell ringing. In HMA’s 70-year history, only 41 people have received this honor to date.
Community Connections
Making the Music Speak
Mastering the Two Types of Score Study
There are many articles written about rehearsal planning and conducting techniques. At many area festivals and National Seminars there are classes that cover these topics. These are very important and usually assume that, at some point, the director is going to conduct a score study. However, there are not many classes that cover the topic [...]
Solo, Ensemble, Bell Tree Enthusiasts
Asking the Masses
Thoughts from Solo Handbell Musicians
This issue’s column will be a collective response from soloists to some of the eight questions I posted on the Handbell Soloist page on Facebook. Their answers were varied and interesting, and I wish I could have included every single one of them here. This is a sampling.
Handbells in Education
Let’s Talk 8th Notes! The Basics
The First in a Series on 8th-note Pedagogy
Recently a conversation in an online Handbell group centered on ringers’ difficulties playing a Level 2 piece with 8th notes: basic 4/4 meter, no techniques, nothing fancy — just the usual selection of random 8th notes throughout. The ringers were clueless; the director was frustrated. So, what was the problem? In pedagogical parlance, random 8th [...]
Music for Members
Rock Climbing - 2 is a learning piece that accompanies the "Let's Talk 8th Notes!" article by Kathleen Wissinger.
Buyers' Guide
2025-26 Business Members Buyers Guide
This is a directory of our current business members (as of August 15, 2025) along with their contact information.
Area Spotlights
Handbell happenings and contact directory for your Area.
