This festival was held in the Hilton Embassy Suites Resort and Spa in Albuquerque, NM. The venue proved to be a very convenient one. All the classes AND the massed ringing rehearsals were close together. Nearly 250 ringers participated in the closing concert. In addition, there were nearly 20 registrants who attended only on Saturday to take advantage of classes offered. Participants came from 14 states, not just the 5 states in Area XI.

David Weck was the Massed Ringing Clinician/Director. Although Jason Wells had been scheduled to be the festival clinician, a very close friend of his died tragically in a plane wreck just a few days before the Festival and unfortunately Jason was not available for the last days of the weekend. However, he was able to lead the participating ringers in an intensive multi-session memorization workshop using some of the festival music. We were fortunate to have AGEHR National Board member and director of the Agape Ringers, David Weck, to conduct the massed ringing rehearsals on Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning, and then direct the closing concert. Cathy Hawthorne, Flute Soloist, and the 44th United States Army Band added special touches to the concert music. The audience was large and appreciative. For many of them it was the first handbell concert they had attended. They had to have been quite impressed as this was one of the best closing performances ever in Area XI.

Special thanks to Linda Maloney, Past Chair; Sharon Sparlin, Secretary/Treasurer; and Michael Mazzatenta, Current Area XI Chair, for all the work they did at the last minute to revise schedules, and take care of all the last minute changes which occured. Thanks also to all those who were teaching classes and remained flexible about all the last minute schedule changes. The revised schedule worked well and Festival participants seemed to be pleased.

Area Conferences are only held every other year so the next Area XI Festival/Conference will be in 2010.

Memorization Workshop	The idea is to watch the director now that the music is memorized.
People are curious to see how Jason is doing. Wow! People already have most of Capriccio memorized.	Creating a processional in the Processional Workshop on Friday
On Friday Evening, Enchantment - Albuquerque Handbell Ensemble gave the ringers a break from rehearsals when they presented the opening concert of the Festival. It opened with "Processional on an Opening Bell (Eb4)", an original composition by Area XI's Chair, Dr. Michael Mazzatenta. It was commissioned by Area XI and the Colorado Community Choirs for the opening of the "Ring in the Round" concert which opened the Area XI Festival Conference in 2006 and was published by From the Top publishing. Following an outstanding concert, their director, Gail Downey, was honored by the group. Gail will be retiring as their director and moving to Las Vegas. The group presented her with the gift of a quilt constructed from t-shirts collected over the years from various handbell events. A reception followed the concert. Return to Top MASSED RINGING REHEARSALS
David Weck	Ready for the downbeat.
Half of Sonoran Bronze. Young Ringers from Tucson, AZ
The other half of Sonoran Bronze. Director is Margi Zearley. One of the chaperones is playing with the group.
Rehearsals are getting more intense. Return to Top
SATURDAY EVENING BREAK - THE LEGACY CONCERT (Sponsored by Malmark)
On Saturday evening we were privileged to hear handbell soloist, Kathie Fink. Kathie presented her Legacy Concert which has toured throughout the U.S	She was accompanied by Linda Maloney. Linda also played chimes in a duet with Kathie. Return to Top
LATE NIGHT RING-A-HOLIC SESSIONS
Music Reading Sessions were held after scheduled daily activities ended. Gail Downey directs a reading session of "From The Top" Publications.	These ring-a-holics are Festival staff members who just can't get enough of handbells! Visible front to back are Mike McCreary, Linda Maloney, and Red Shirt Gang members, Marcy Hontz, Claudette Rothwell and Sharon Sparlin. Return to Top
SHOWCASE CONCERT
The concert began with the Young Ringers getting our attention with a boomwhacker, percussion serenade.
There were several other adult groups and young ringer groups who also did solo numbers.
The concert concluded with a presentation by "Go Bellistic!". Sheryl Bertelson and Anne Cotter are this handbell duo from Sedona, AZ. Here they are in their closing piece, "Parade of the Tin Soldiers."	Return to Top

RING OF FAME LUNCHEON
Michael Mazzatenta,Tom Waldron, Gail Downey, Linda Maloney	The 2008 Ring of Fame inductees are Gail Downey from New Mexico and Tom Waldron from Utah. Their awards were presented at a Sunday Luncheon prior to the closing concert. You can read more about them and their accomplishments here. The criteria for a nomination is there also. The awards are presented every other year in connection with the Area XI Festival/Conference. You might have an idea of someone to nominate for 2010.
Sharon Sparlin             Linda Maloney             Mike Mazzatenta	Recognition was also given to Sharon Sparlin and Linda Maloney for all their hard work. Sharon is retiring as Secretary/Treasurer and Linda Maloney will finish her time as Past Chair. However, present Area XI Chair, Mike Mazzatenta gave us the good news that he has asked them to serve as organizers of the 2010 Area Festival/Conference which will be held in Tucson. Return to Top

FINAL CONCERT - RINGER CLOSE-UPS
David Weck addresses the audience at the beginning of the concert.	Marilyn Chandler, Goodyear, AZ
Bob Tucker, Tucson, AZ Newly elected Area XI Secretary/Treasurer.	Cathy Hawthorne
Bass Bell rack expert.	4-in-hand bells and chimes.
Ringers of all ages and skill levels participated in this Festival and enjoyed the pleasures of making music as an ensemble and making new friends along the way.
The 44th Army Band will accompany the final concert piece.

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