Welcome!

Announcing... Our Commission Consortium!

Bells of the Cascades is about to embark upon its 35th Anniversary in 2024-25. Here’s an exciting new project that you can be involved in to help us celebrate! BOC is creating a COMMISSION CONSORTIUM for a new composition from our director, Matthew Compton!

What is a Commission Consortium?  This is a way for any individual or organization to buy into a larger project for a much smaller cost than a traditional commission. Bells of the Cascades will work with Matthew to create a brand new original Level 3 handbell composition. This piece will be accessible to many different types of ensembles who will enjoy being a part of this exciting community project. All funds from the consortium will go to BOC for our ambitious $10,000 fundraising goal for our 35th Anniversary in the 2024-2025 season, and we know that with your participation, we can reach this goal!

Bells of the Cascades will premiere the composition during our Anniversary weekend of May 31-June 1, 2025.

Commission Details
  • An exciting Level 3 original composition for 3-7 octaves of handbells and handchimes.
  • Approximate performance length of 3-5 minutes.
  • $150 buy-in cost with additional tiers and benefits for larger donation amounts, due by March 1, 2025.
  • Commissioner name on the final score.
  • Score will be delivered to all commissioners by August 1, 2025.
  • Performance exclusivity for all commissioners until August 1, 2026.

Download information about the additional tiers and benefits HERE, as well as instructions on how to participate. We hope you will join us in this exciting project—a first  for the handbell world!
  

Cruise News! August 2024

We are so excited for our upcoming cruise with Matthew and Alex as clinicians, and can’t wait to see old friends and welcome new folks to our community! The ringing spots sold out quickly, but there is a waiting list, and there is still room for non-ringers. So if you know of someone who isn’t set on ringing, but wants a great vacation with a bunch of bell folks, do encourage them to join us!

CLICK HERE to read the complete news update for August 2024!
  

Dave Schade, Friend to Bells of the Cascades

We’re not sure a pep club and a community handbell ensemble go together, but if they did, Dave Schade would have been the President of the BOC Pep Club. Earlier this year, Dave passed away and we wanted to let the bell world know what a super great guy he was and what an amazing friend he was to Bells of the Cascades.

Dave explored a number of interests later in life and one that he truly embraced was handbells. In the Portland metro area, he regularly rang in two groups, including his church’s handbell choir directed by his wife of 55 years, Candy Schade. Dave also joined a BOC-sponsored choir designed to develop advanced skills for ambitious ringers called the Rose City Ringers. If there was a handbell to be rung, Dave was ringing it. Many in BOC knew Dave well because he kept showing up around the community ready to ring.

Dave (along with his wife Candy) was an avid supporter of Bells of the Cascades as a long-time associate member. He was always there to lend a hand with equipment, lend an ear at our concerts, and lend a joke and a smile. Dave was always cheerful, kind, and ready with a warm hug. Dave also made our singing bell sticks, using dowels and wax for a big supply. Dave is instantly in our memories whenever we use them.

Dave and Candy sailed on numerous BOC Handbell Cruises over the years. Dave was also a member of the Cruise Committee for several of our cruises. Dave joined Candy in being very festive at our cruise sail-away parties, donning a thematic costume and making people smile. That was one of Dave’s most natural and biggest gifts. One year our cruise mascot was a seahorse, and Dave and Candy came in full seahorse regalia from head to toe. It remains a mystery exactly where those costumes came from, and it certainly makes for a wonderful memory.

In August, many BOC members were invited by Candy to play handbells at Dave’s memorial service. Candy was so touched as we rang Grazioso to the glory of Dave in heaven. We’re sure he’s already found his spot in heaven’s handbell choir. We miss you, Dave.
    

Wanted: Community Support for Bells of the Cascades

Bells of the Cascades

Passionate about innovative, advanced handbell ringing in the Portland area? Or would you like to help promote our musical artform? Can you engage with creative ideas and do what it takes to help carry them out? BOC wants to invite you to join us in ramping up toward our 35th Anniversary year in 2024-25 and beyond!
 

Join the board of directors

We’re always looking for new folks to help guide our 501(c)(3) nonprofit, whether you’re a director of a church or community ensemble, a ringer yourself, or simply a supporter of the musical arts.

While fundraising and budgeting is a big part of the board’s role, we’re also looking for people with experience in event organizing, communications, grantwriting, and strategic planning. No prior board experience necessary. Members of our board are not paid in money but in camaraderie, love for one another, and satisfaction in advancing the art of handbell music.

Interested? Send an email to president@bellsofthecascades.org and we’ll be in touch!
 

Volunteer as a substitute ringer

As we know you understand, a handbell ensemble is one instrument played by several people, and when one person has to miss a rehearsal the instrument simply isn’t complete!

We’re looking for ringers who have some experience playing intermediate or advanced-level handbell music and are willing to be on call (with advance notice) to step in when we need a substitute ringer for Tuesday evening rehearsals. This is also a great way to get to know the ensemble if you’d like to explore the possibility of auditioning in the future.

If you’d like to volunteer, please email director@bellsofthecascades.org and we’ll put you on the list!

 

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