Area VII is one of twelve geographic areas of The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc., serving 500+ members in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Manitoba, Canada.

We are dedicated to advancing the musical art of handbell and handchime ringing through education, community, and communication.

Area VII of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers reaches out to all young and old, rich and poor, metro and outstate, beginning and advanced, whatever their special needs to make music and make friends, sharing our knowledge and our selves to unite people through a musical art.

If you would like additional information about Area VII or a copy of the minutes from a recent Area board of director's meeting, please contact the Area Chair listed in the Officers section.

If you are interested in helping to promote our handbell art form, there are many opportunities available within Area VII.  Assistance is needed for many one-time tasks as well as two-year terms.  We welcome your enthusiasm and expertise. Please contact one of the Sub-Area Chairs or another Board member listed in the Officers section.

RINGER / DIRECTOR SURVEY

The Area VII Board of Directors pledges to be good stewards of the gifts and resources entrusted to its care.

The AGEHR was constituted in 1954, growing out of the previously established New England Guild of English Handbell Ringers.

Quoting from the Bylaws of the Guild:

"The objectives of this organization are:

1. To promote the exchange of ideas relating to
   • The selection, arrangement and composition of handbell music.
   • Techniques of handbell ringing.
   • Programming, appearance and performance.
2. To disseminate handbell (handchime) information, Guild news and business by means of the official publication, OVERTONES, and by such other publications as may be deemed advisable.
3. To sponsor national festivals and conventions devoid of competition and AGEHR-sponsored adjudication in all forms, and to encourage Area workshops and festivals."

The approximate 9,100 members, mostly directors of handbell/handchime choirs, are organized in District, State and Area (2-5 states) units, and the National level. All seek to carry out the motto:

"Uniting People through a Musical Art."

View the Bylaws of Area VII