October 2005 Edition

Welcome to the October 2005 Edition of RingTouch, Area III's digital newsletter available to anyone who chooses to subscribe. See the subscription link at the end.
 
This edition includes:
- a note from the new Area III Chair, Michael Helman
- announcements for upcoming Area III and local Festivals
- a listing of new AGEHR members in Area III, August and September, 2005

News!

• A note from Area III Chair, Michael Helman
   
  On October 14 and 15 the new Area III Board of Directors met for their Fall Board meeting. With the restructuring that has occurred due to changes in the by-laws, a good portion of the meeting was spent sorting out responsibilities and tasks and assigning these to the newly elected Board members. One of the my goals during my two years as Chair, is to create a five year plan for Area III so it can more effectively meet the needs of our ringers and directors in the future. With this end in mind, we had a visioning session in which the board members started a list of goals. We will follow up on this in January as we continue to do long range planning for the Area. Of course, time was spent in discussing festivals and seminars we would like to offer in 2006 and 2007. I would ask that all of you check your November Bell-O-Gram so you can keep up to date on the many things happening in Area III and familiarize yourself with the list of those who will be serving you as Board Members and State Chairs during the next two years.
   
  Area III 2005-2007 Board Members:
  Chair Michael Helman
  Chair-Elect Charm Peterman
  Finance Chair J. Stanley Schmidt
  Ken Bissell
  Ingrid A. Bowers
  Linda Simms
  Edmund F. Tompkins
  Kathleen Wissinger
   
  Non-Board Appointed positions
  Events Coordinator - Fran Vaughan
  Recording Secretary - Lynn Bogovich
  Delaware Chair - Carol A. Coughenour
  Maryland Chair - Debbie Henning
  Metro Washington Chair - Melodie Feather
  North Carolina Chair - Ellen Moretz
  Virginia Chair - Zana Kizzee
  Bell-O-Gram Editor - Ingrid Bowers
  RingTouch E-Notes Editor - Kath Wissinger
  Chime Loan Program - Pearl Marshall
  Guild Store Manager - Susan Butler
  Historian - Missy Cernigliaro
  Membership Chair - Linda Simms
  Video Librarian - C. Milton Rodgers
  Webmaster - Stephen Nash
   
  

Area III Events!

• Area III Youth Festival, Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, Virginia
  It's not too late to register for the Area III Youth Festival, November 18-19, 2005 with KatRyn Howell, massed conductor. Look for registration and hotel accommodation info on the website soon. www.areaiii.org
   
  Questions? Contact Laura Shelton at lshelton@florisumc.org
   
  
• Area III 2006 Spring Festival Conferences
   
  Three to chose from--in Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. No other Area offers three such events every year!!!
   
  Hickory Metro Convention Center, Hickory, N. C.
  March 3 and 4, 2006
  Intergenerational Handbell Festival
  Bill Alexander, Guest Conductor
  Lynn Bogovich, Guest Clinician
  Rejoice Ringers, Guest Choir
   
  Roland E. Powell Convention Center, Ocean City, MD
  March 10 and 11, 2006
  Adult Handbell Festival
  David Weck, Guest Conductor
  Carol Feather Martin, Genesis Track Conductor
  Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble, Guest Choir and Faculty
   
  Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton, Va.
  March 31 and April 1, 2006
  Adult Handbell Festival
  Bill Alexander, Guest Conductor
  Michael Joy, Bronze Conference Choir Conductor
  Carol Feather Martin, Genesis Track Conductor
  Anacrusis Handbell Ensemble, Guest Choir and Faculty
   
  If you haven't attended an Area III Festival before or if it's been a while since you've participated in one, make this the start of an annual tradition for your choir. Many options are available to choirs (Massed Ringing, auditioned Bronze Division choirs - still in the Massed groups but with a special piece of their own -, and Genesis Track (for 2-3 oct. beginning choirs in a separate ringing room.) Individual ringers may audition for the Bronze Conference Choir (an advanced ringing group in its own track) or they may sign up for the "Festival choir" to participate in all the Massed ringing and classes in a choir made up of other lone ringers. There are "Class only" and "Ringing only" options as well. Showcase concerts and knowledgeable clinicians and teachers round out the entire experience.
   
  For complete information, repertoire and registration information go to: http://areaiii.org/events/festivals2006/spring_brochure.htm
   
  Questions? Contact Fran Vaughan, Area III Event Coordinator - FSVaughan@aol.com

Local Events!

• Gear up to attend a Festival. You'll be amazed at the comradery your choir shares, the improvement their ringing confidence and performance shows, and the lift it gives to your entire handbell program!!
   
  Virginia Baptist Handbell Festival
  February 10-11, 2006
  Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center - near Lynchburg, Va.
  Contact Tom Ingram for information - tom.ingram@vbmb.org
   
  Rockbridge (Virginia) Area Handbell Festival
  Saturday, February 18, 2004
  Lexington, Va.
  Contact Ruth Floyd: FloydR@wlu.edu
   
  James River Ringers 2-3 Octave Festival
  March 10-11, 2006
  Richmond, Va.
  Contact Dottie Tweedie: jamesrringers@juno.com
   
  Blue Ridge Area Handbell Festival
  April 28-29, 2006 in Hendersonville, NC
  Tim Waugh, Clinician/Director
  Space limited to about 15-18 groups
  Contact: Connie Engle 828-692-4910, 828-551-0761 (cell)
  engle62@yahoo.com
  (see http://blueridgefestival.tripod.com for details)