Chiming In
For many people, the sound of handbells is almost inseparable from the Christmas season. Mention handbells to someone outside our musical community, and chances are their imagination immediately fills with familiar scenes: a candlelit church on Christmas Eve, musicians ringing an arrangement of “Silent Night,” perhaps a festive concert filled with carols, greenery, and red [...]
Executive Notes
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.
Membership Matters
How To Honor the Memory of a Handbell Ringer
I recently attended the funeral service of one of my previous handbell directors, Eddie Asten of the Ft. Myer Chapel Ringers based in Arlington, Virginia. As part of Eddie’s funeral service, several ringers from Ft Myer traveled to be part of the music. Eddie and the Ft. Myer Chapel Ringers were a large part of [...]
From the President's Pen
My Continuing Commitment to Handbell Musicians of America
As I write my final Overtones article as President of Handbell Musicians of America, I find myself reflecting less on the years I have spent leading and more on the years I hope to spend serving. My presidency is coming to an end. My commitment to HMA is not.
What's Happening
Awards and Recognition at National Seminar
President's Award presented to three; Outgoing National Board members and Area Chairs recognized at National Seminar.
Feature
Two New Honorary Life Members Named
The highest honor and most prestigious designation Handbell Musicians of America bestows is the Honorary Life Membership. This distinction is reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the art of handbell ringing. In HMA’s more than 70-year history, only 41 people have received this honor to date, with 12 of them still currently [...]
Feature
Remembering Martha Lynn Thompson: 1940-2026
The handbell community is saddened that handbell composer, luminary, and HMA Honorary Life Member Martha Lynn Thompson has passed away.
Handbells in Education
Making It Their Own
Chimes, Children, and Creativity in the Upper Elementary Classroom
Chimes and handbells are accessible instruments that can be used to teach ostinati, chords, simple accompaniments, and basic small-group composition along with music literacy. Teachers can combine these instruments with unison and part-singing, recorders, Orff instruments, and movement, allowing children to actively make their own music and accompany their own singing.
Solo, Ensemble, Bell Tree Enthusiasts
It Only Takes Four
The Story of Quadrants Handbell Quartet
In 2017, Quadrants started off as a group of friends who decided it would be fun to try ringing handbell quartets. We have our Westminster Choir College community to thank for bringing us together, as we had all met previously while either ringing together as students or at alumni events.
Community Connections
Stage Presence
The Often Overlooked Performance Element
Many of us have performed dozens if not hundreds of handbell concerts, some as ringers, some as directors, and some as both. We focus on the music, repertoire selection, proper preparation, and hopefully, the musicality of what we’re playing. It’s no doubt those things can come together to create a fabulous concert, but there is [...]
Handbells in Worship
Bellspeak
A Set of Four Poems
Column coordinator’s note: Recently I met the Reverend Susan Carol Scott at the Hymn Society 2026 Annual Conference in Princeton, New Jersey, where we discussed our mutual interest in bells. She shared with me a set of four charming poems she had written inspired by different ranges of handbells.
Music for Members
S’vivon, Sov, Sov, Sov
A piece for Hannukkah
An arrangement of a Hebrew Folk Song for Hannukkah
Buyers' Guide
Business Members Buyers’ Guide: 2026-2027
This is a list of our current business members (as of July 1, 2026) along with their contact information. Please patronize them and, along with us, thank them for their support of handbell and handchime ringing and Handbell Musicians of America.
Area Spotlights
Area Spotlights Fall 2026
Events and Other Happenings in Your Area
Find out what's going on in your area, and connect with area leaders.
