Welcome to Area 1

Serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont

Festival Conference 2023!

Worcester State University
June 23-25, 2023

[Area 1’s event was] the best festival I’ve been a part of…it really had a National Seminar feel, but was much more personal and so professionally done! Thanks for making me feel at home and for taking such good care of me while I was there! I’m now an Area 1 fan!!
— Brian Childers, F/C2022 Massed & Tins Clinician

Consider Sponsoring Area 1

Please consider donating to Area 1 to help us continue to provide education, support, and community to handbell musicians throughout Area 1! Your donation in any amount can support scholarships, communication around our events, and helps us to spread information about the history and art of ringing to all.

Recent News

Totally Tins

Join fellow ringers from throughout New England for Totally Tins: A Workshop for Emerging Handbell Musicians, a brand-new Area 1-wide event that will be offered on March 8. This event is designed to get even the most beginning ringers focused on creating a broad...

Festival Conference 2025

Festival Conference will be here before you know it! Check out all of the most current details at the link below! Festival Conference 2025

Winter Workshop Registration Is Open!

Come join us January 24-25th, 2025, for an exciting weekend of handbell ringing and education at UMass Amherst! Click here for more Winter Workshop details and here to register for Winter Workshop.  

Building Bridges with Handbells

Building Bridges with Handbells Written by Steven Mazeau, Area 1 SnagASub Coordinator Many of us are familiar with the story of Margaret Shurcliff and her Beacon Hill Ringers. Having created the New England Guild of English Handbell Ringers (NEGEHR) in 1937, Margaret...