National Events
Please visit the national website for current event dates and registration information.
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NATIONAL SEMINAR is our flagship learning event held every summer. You’ll find informative classes by top instructors, performance opportunities, vendors, and lots of fun. PRE-REGISTER before November 30 for a special rate and the opportunity to register* for sessions and classes a full week before general registration opens!
July 11-15, 2023 at Westin Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas
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DISTINCTLY BRONZE is our premier performance event for advanced handbell musicians. Held twice a year, once on the east coast and once on the west, musicians are assigned a part to work on ahead of time, then spend four days with a seasoned conductor to prepare advanced literature for a public performance.
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REACHING FOR BRONZE is a new event for the intermediate handbell musician who aspires to become a bronze-level ringer.
Have you wanted to apply for Distinctly Bronze but worry you are not yet at the skill level to be accepted? Then this is the event for you. Scheduled concurrently with Distinctly Bronze East, this event will give participants the opportunity to learn three pieces from the DB East rep list under the direction of master teacher and conductor Monica McGowan and perform them with the DB musicians on their final concert. In addition, the Reaching for Bronze choirs will prepare and perform two pieces of their own.
During the event, instruction will be offered in building skills in treble, bass and battery techniques, as well as improving all aspects of musicianship.
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DISTINCTLY TEEN is designed for individual young musicians (8th-12th grade) who wish to stretch their ringing skills and challenge their musicianship. Participants will spend 2½ days working on intermediate to advanced repertoire and developing skills in handbell technique and general musicianship under the leadership of of an experienced director of youth musicians. The event schedule will combine dedicated rehearsal time for Distinctly Teen with the opportunity to attend classes offered as part of the Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar.
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COLLEGE RING-IN is an event for college students and recent alumni. Three days of ringing under the direction of a master conductor culminate in a public concert on the final evening. Participants will be given their own individual ringing assignment to prepare in advance and then join other attendees to rehearse and polish the music for the final concert. The event also includes a reading session of unpublished compositions and arrangements submitted by participants. We’ll have publishers and editors from the handbell industry on hand to provide advice and guidance regarding copyright permissions and the publication process.
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Master Class offers the opportunity for more personalized, intensive training in either conducting or composing. Over four days, work one-on-one and in small group settings with expert instructors who have mastered the intricacies of their field and have demonstrated excellent teaching and mentoring skills.
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VIRTUAL BELL ACADEMY is a new educational service for all handbell musicians and is available to both members and non-members. Students will have the option to choose from live webinar learning experiences or self-guided multi-week courses, both designed and led by experts in the handbell community.
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HANDBELL MUSICIAN CERTIFICATION & ACCREDITATION
The Handbell Musicians of America Certification program is a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide training and experience at all levels to handbell musicians. The study areas are music theory, handbell techniques, conducting, arranging and composing, handbell history (now available online), and electives.
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BACK TO BELLS
Handbell Musicians of America is offering FREE workshops across the country to help you get your handbells out of the closet and restart your handbell program – or start a brand new program. A handbell program in your church offers numerous benefits for your congregation.
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MEMBER CHATS
Every other month, we host a one-hour live chat with a personality from within our talented ranks. Everyone will have an opportunity to submit questions in advance. Many of you will be able to tune in live and participate. And, all members will be able to access the video on the Handbell Musicians of America website after it airs live.