Hi! 

Happy AGEHR New Year!

Each October brings the start of a new fiscal year for AGEHR. We have new Area leaders, as well as our seasoned returnees across the US, that are very excited to be gearing up for another great year. We have already started to think ahead and plan for our upcoming year.

As you begin planning your coming year you will find that, along with E-Notes, your AGEHR national and Area websites can be a vital resource. On the National www.AGEHR.org website you will find not only our National Calendar but also links to all the Area websites . The Area websites link is a great tool, especially if you live within driving distance of other Areas or plan to be traveling and wonder if there will be any events where you are. So, take a couple of minutes to be sure to see what ALL your Area Leaders across the nation have available for you and your friends to musically enjoy, learn and grow from in the coming year.

2010 Japanese Symposium Information

Konichi-wa minason!

Not only a greeting to you all, but also a useful phrase to learn if you are planning to join us in Japan for the 14th International Handbell Symposium in August 2010. The Handbell Ringers of Japan (HRJ)have some wonderful plans for what promises to be an outstanding international event. Many groups have already started fundraising to make sure that they take advantage of this unique opportunity.

HRJ has sent us many of the details which are now available on our website .  Technique and cultural classes, massed ringing and Internaitional Solo Concerts all in beautiful Osaka. There will even be a side trip available to renowned Kyoto, Japan for sightseeing (Picture: Koudaiji Temple, Kyoto). This event promises to be a wonderful musical and cultural event that unites our international community of handbell and handchime ringers. After reading through the material on the website, if you have any questions, please contact Vickie Iverson.  

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Calling all Techies!

AGEHR Executive Director, Jenny Cauhorn, is seeking volunteers to serve on a website development committee.  Do you have experience in website design or maintenance?  Are you technically savvy?  Do you have great ideas for making the AGEHR website even better?  Then this is the committee for you.  You will assist Jenny and Publications Director, J.R. Smith, in keeping the AGEHR web site up-to-date and current with cutting edge technologies and new ideas.  No travel required, you can assist us from your computer with e-mail and a Skype account.  If you are interested in supporting AGEHR by volunteering your time and talents to this purpose, please contact Jenny for more information.

Not sure this is for you but think maybe you know an AGEHR Member in your network who would be perfect for this... then our new social forwarding is just for you!

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Distinctly Bronze West... Still time to Sign Up!

Join us for Jason Wells' debut as the Distinctly Bronze Music Director. This event promises fellowship and the opportunity to stretch your musical talents. It is hard work with like minded musicians who come together to celebrate our vibrant and active community in the lovely Kitsip Conference Center pictured here.

It is not too late to sign up to support the development of this outstanding event on the west coast. For more information on this event visit our website. 

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Pinnacle 2010- Nashville: July 18-21, 2010

Church, school, soloist, small ensemble, ringer, director, as well as our community and professional ensemble musicians, Pinnacle 2010 is the event for YOU! The classes offered will focus on developing and improving the skills we all use to present a quality musical product regardless of the venue in which we present it in.  Whether you will be a first time AGEHR event attendee or are an old hat at our events, Pinnacle is the event you will not want to miss.

Along with the informative classes, there will be showcase concerts and an opportunity to see Sonas, The Agape Ringers and The Raleigh Ringers all at one event! Now THAT is a line-up not to be missed!

This is the premiere National event in 2010. So make your plans now to join us in Nashville next summer. More information is available on our website.

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Pinnacle Clinician & Showcase Concert: Deadline Extended

Have you always wondered if you had what it takes to be a Pinnacle Performer and/or Clinician? Then apply.

Do you KNOW you have what it takes to be a Pinnacle Performer and/or Clinician? Then apply. 

Do you think you have just the right take on a particular class? Then apply.

Are you or your choir waiting to break out and just need that first opportunity to be seen and heard? Then all you have to do is apply.

But time is flying by and that deadline is right around the corner. So, if you haven't already, be sure to send us your applications no later than December 1st.

Don't wonder what might have been... APPLY!

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Priority Music Club 2009 - Limited Number Available

Each year, we hold back copies of the Priority Music Club (PMC) in the office. This means that if you missed out on the 2009 Priority Music Club, then here is your very last opportunity to take advantage of this tangible, valuable membership benefit. For just $20* you receive 20 full sized pieces of sheet music.

If you would like to order the 2009 PMC please call us at 1.937.438.0085. These numbers are limited and they will be sold first come, first serve. When the PMC 09 packets are gone. . . they are gone. So, don't miss out on this opportunity.

We are also taking pre-orders for the 2010 PMC at the $20* rate, which will be mailed out in June of 2010.

Also, don't forget the holidays are right around the corner and that both the 2009 and 2010 Priority Music Club make wonderful gifts for your favorite handbell organization or director!

*$20 for AGEHR members in the USA
 $30 USD for AGEHR Canadian members
 $35 USD for AGEHR Overseas members

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"Being Inspired by Music"

I hope all of you take the time to attend concerts.  Not just concerts of your own groups, but concerts and recitals by other musicians at other locations. The reason I say this is because hearing someone else make music can inspire you and your own music making.

This month I'm happy to highlight a wonderful new AGEHR arrangement of the traditional spiritual, "My Lord, What a Morning" by Sandra Eithun, AG35285.   When I asked Sandy about her inspiration for this piece, she said, "my daughter was attending the University of Minnesota and she participated in their gospel choir program.  I went up to see one of the performances and this HUGE group of singers (I am guessing at least 200 voices) sang 'My Lord, What a Morning.'  It blew me away."

She went on to say,  "I loved the true gospel sound of this piece and really wanted to set it for bells in a way that it would paint a picture of the text 'when the stars begin to fall,'  hence the shimmering effect of the vibrato and a lot of cascading chords."   On page four, measures 32-39, of her arrangement, Sandy makes extensive use of the vibrato technique which is very visual to watch, and then at measure 70 through 74, the cascading chords take place.    Then to finish, there are two swings in measures 74 and 75, and then an ascending scale passage which takes the ending to the sky.   This spiritual which is particularly well-suited for the season of Advent, speaks about a transcendent day when the trumpet sounds, the sinner cries, and the Christian shouts because things will change when the stars begin to fall.

I think just as Sandy was inspired by hearing this powerful spiritual, so her new arrangement of "My Lord, What a Morning" will inspire you, your ringers, and those that listen to you in a similar way.  Take a listen yourself and view sample pages.  Just go to this website address, http://www.agehr.org/agehr_pub/music.asp, then sort by Category and then scroll down to No. 14.   There is AG35285, "My Lord, What a Morning" for 3-5 octaves of handbells , level 2+,  by Sandra Eithun.

Until next month,
John Behnke
AGEHR Music Editor

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Make a solid investment in our future. . .

The Opportunities for Giving brochure asks you as directors, ringers, choirs and organizations to consider making a contribution to support AGEHR's mission of furthering the art of handbell and handchime ringing through education, community and communication. More than ever, AGEHR needs your help to secure our future and allow us not just to survive through these economic times but move forward.

There are a variety of ways for you to donate to our community. An example of one of our funds is the Legacy Society. In addition to your annual contribution, you may also like to consider planned giving through our Legacy Society. These funds are particularly important to ensure the long-term fiscal stability of our educational events and programming. If you are interested in more details, please contact the National office via email or by calling 1.937.438.0085

This and all of our funds focus on building our community today for a brighter future for our musical art form. To learn more about this and other giving opportunities, please visit our website.

Remember that for each of your contributions of $50 or more,
AGEHR sends 10% of that contribution to your Area.

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The Handbell Industry Council (HIC) was organized in August 1984 and is the official liaison between the members of AGEHR and those who have a business interest in handbells and/or handchimes. Each HIC member is also an AGEHR member whose membership funds, along with yours, work to support our mission of "Uniting People through a Musical Art" and building your tangible membership benefits. Please take a moment to recognize and support our fellow AGEHR members.

Each month in E-Notes we highlight our HIC members. The rotation order is alphabetized and is not meant to draw more attention to one HIC member over another. The contents of these spotlights is not to be viewed as an AGEHR endorsement of any single organization or product, but instead recognition of all of our HIC members and their dedication to providing a wide variety of professional services to our community.

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Music Educator Resources...

See it, Hear it, Do it

by Martha Avery

"There are three areas of learning applicable to all ages: cognitive (involving elements of perception), psychomotor (motor action directly proceeding from mental activity), and affective (relating to feeling or emotions). Directors should consider these elements in preparing effective rehearsals. Cognitive learning uses charts and notation; psychomotor skills are developed through clapping, foot stomping, knee bending, and other motor actions while affective responses can be seen in their emotional reactions."

Members log-in here to read the rest of this article and find others

Non-members join the Guild here to access this and many more benefits

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• Members-Only Scholarships, Grants and Awards
  
• Access to community Networking and Mailing Labels
  
• Reading and sharing your Overtones bi-monthly journal
  
• Attending local, area and national Events with your groups
  
• Visiting our developing Members-Only Resources on our website.
  
• Taking advantage of your Members-Only Access to the Priority Music Club 
  
• Utilizing your access to Area Lending Libraries and Handchime Loan Programs
  
• Enjoying the continuing opportunities for Mentoring Programs for you and your groups

Our proceeds from new and renewed membership allow us to cover our operating costs each month as we maintain these and your other membership benefits while advancing our art.

However, to create and implement special projects like developing our on-line resources to include educational videos, Music Educator Workshops or the ability to continue to offer grants, we count on your generosity. So, whether you can donate $5 a month for the next year, or more, please consider giving to AGEHR today.

Thank you for your continued support of
AGEHR and our handbell and handchime community.
Talk to you next month.
Regards,
Katie

Katie Schlegel
AGEHR, Director of Membership & Administration