Welcome to Area 8

Serving Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Join Today

Fourth Friday Focus

Click Here to Register

Calendar of Events

Area 8 will list on the website and in its email blasts concerts and events that have been submitted by HMA members. Click here to submit information for a calendar listing.

To be listed on the Area 8 calendar, an event (e.g. festival, conference, or directors seminar) must be sponsored or endorsed by www.HandbellMusicians.org. Concerts do not require HMA sponsorship or endorsement to be included on the Area 8 calendar.

The process for receiving Endorsed or Sponsored status is simple, and HMA provides valuable support and marketing assistance for these events. For more information, please click here.

Handchime Loan Program

The responsibilities of Area 8 will include providing a 3 octave set of handchimes for one semester (approx. 4 months) with teaching materials, a support network and/or mentor.

For More Information

Quavers Newsletter

Quavers is Area 8’s bi-monthly newsletter filled with information, suggestions, advertising, and contact information. 

Click here for the current Quavers

We’re glad you found the Area 8 online home for Handbell Musicians of America. We are a five-state region of an international organization of handbell ringers, directors, composers, clinicians, and innovators.  Area 8 contains Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, and is home to some of the world’s great handbell musicians, ensembles, conductors, teachers, and composers.

There are several things that make our area awesome:

√Our Handchime Loan Program here.

√Our State Chapters
Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska.

√Our Newsletter, Quavers, here.

√Our People here.

√Sign Up for Our Email News Blasts here.

Would you like to advertise in Quavers? Click here for more information and the form.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR FOURTH FRIDAY FOCUS

Click Here to Register

Fourth Friday at 7pm Central Time

Gather with handbell musicians to chat, learn, and ring on the fourth Friday night of the month in a virtual format alternating between Sampler Nights and In-Depth Seminars. Sampler Nights are based on speed dating and these 90-minute sessions will offer short introductions to a variety of topics. Sampler Nights are free. In-Depth Seminars Focus on one handbell topic for a one-hour session, and there is a small fee.

Registration is now open for:

  • April 23rd In-Depth Session: Solo & Ensemble Skills for These Times
  • May 28th Sampler Session

The April Session will cover 4-in-hand, weaving, and working with selections for 6, 8, or 12 bells.  Past-chair Beth Ann Edwards presents the 4-in-hand session, and Kristin Paul Diaz, a founding member of The Agape Ringers, will have you weaving in no time!  finally, you’ll see examples of how to utilize those skills for your ensemble. Sampler sessions are free, In-Depth Sessions are $10/person for members.

TECHNOLOGY:  Sessions are pre-recorded and are available on YouTube, which you can access from a smart TV, computer, tablet or phone.  You’ll be able to use the chat feature on YouTube during the premiere.  In addition, there will be an optional virtual meeting after the presentation where you can interact with other registrants.

Links will be sent out 2-3 days prior to the session to the email address you provide at registration. 

You can still get the links for the sessions listed below by going here.

  • January 22nd Sampler Session
  • February 26th In-Depth Session Mark Your Score with Beth Ann Edwards
  • March 26th Sampler Session