General Operating Fund
Your membership dues support the day-to-day operations of the Guild national office including publication of Overtones, E-Notes, operation of our website and other general office expenses. However, very little is available for special projects or upgrades in our office operation such as updating equipment and technology to better serve our members. Your contribution to this fund will support these efforts and other new projects that may be proposed from time to time.
Grant Fund
Handbell Musicians of America supports the use of handbells and handchimes in traditional ways and settings. It also promotes the development of new styles, uses and circumstances. The national budget of Handbell Musicians of America is restricted to supporting the Guild’s regular functions and activities. New sources of funds need to be provided for the encouragement of research, creative projects and support for new categories of ringers. Handbell Musicians of America sees its primary purpose as educating directors and ringers, and helping them to realize their full potential.
The Grant Fund has been established to help Handbell Musicians of America provide resources with which to further these goals. The objective of the Grant Fund is to encourage innovation and support creative projects.
David R. Davidson Composition Fund
The David R. Davidson Composition Fund was established in 2008 to honor David Davidson and his 10 years as conductor of AGEHR’s advanced ringing event, Distinctly Bronze. This fund supports the commissioning of new, original handbell works for advanced ringing ensembles.
William H. Griffin Scholarship Fund
The William H. Griffin Scholarship Fund was established in 2003 to honor Bill Griffin and his contributions to handbell music and to the Guild, particularly for his service as interim executive director during that time. This fund provides assistance to qualified individuals for participation in the annual Distinctly Bronze event. Deadlines and application materials will be posted when scholarships are available for an upcoming event.
Marilyn Kielniarz Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Marilyn Kielniarz Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by the Guild board of directors in memory of and to honor Marilyn Kielniarz, who was in the midst of her term as AGEHR president-elect when she was lost to cancer. Contributions to this fund will be used to award a memorial scholarship to a music educator for National Seminar. Deadlines and application materials will be posted when scholarships are available for an upcoming event.
D. Linda McKechnie Scholarship Fund
The D. Linda McKechnie Scholarship Fund was established in 2004. The purpose of the fund is to provide assistance to individuals and programs that promote education in elementary schools or to special needs populations. The assistance may be in the form of a scholarship to National Seminar for an individual working in one of these areas or in the form of a grant supporting programming in one of these areas. Deadlines and application materials will be posted when scholarships are available for an upcoming event.
W.D. McKeehan Scholarship Fund
The W.D. McKeehan Scholarship Fund was established by the AGEHR board of directors in 1983 as a tribute to W.D. “Mac” McKeehan and his long years or service and numerous contributions to the Guild as national registrar and national treasurer. This fund provides scholarship assistance to qualified individuals for participation in Handbell Musicians of America’s National Seminar. Deadlines and application materials are posted when scholarships are available for an upcoming event.
Anonymous Education Fund
The Handbell Musicians of America Educational Scholarship Fund was established by an anonymous donor as a challenge to other Guild members to contribute and support handbells in education and Handbell Musicians of America educational events. Contributions will be used to offer scholarships to Handbell Musicians of America events and grants to programs that promote handbells in educational settings. Please contact the Handbell Musicians of America Executive Director for more information about grants and scholarships available from this fund.
Deb Heine Young Ringer Scholarship Fund
Created in August, 2010, to honor and memorialize long-time member and National Seminar event chair, Deborah Heine. Contributions to this fund will support scholarships for young ringers to attend national events.