We are always looking for capable, Bronze-level ringers for our community handbell ensemble. Experienced, versatile ringers who perform with confidence, musicality, and precise technique are invited to audition to join Bells of the Cascades.

We hold periodic regular auditions, and occasionally special auditions. Although our next scheduled auditions will be in Fall of 2025—after our cruise to Alaska—But it is never too early to apply and tell us about yourself!

Please review the following information and complete the application linked below to request an audition. Please contact our director with any questions.

 

Expectations of ringers

Bells of the Cascades is a nonprofit community group. We expect members to commit to regular performances and community events hosted by the group, which we schedule with respect to members' schedules.

Prospective members should be able to commit to rehearsals every Tuesday night in the Portland metro area. These are generally two and a half hours with a short break. Performances and community events are usually scheduled on weekends, and annual nonprofit business meetings happen each year for planning purposes.

Up until the Covid pandemic in 2020, Bells of the Cascades has hosted handbell cruises approximately every 2 1/2 years, starting in 1993. Our last cruise was in January of 2019 and our next one will be in June of 2025. We schedule these far in advance so that everyone can plan ahead. Active ringing members are expected to participate. To the extent that we make enough in bookings, members are reimbursed for their expenses.

If you have questions or would like more information about any of these expectations, please complete the audition application and we can elaborate on them as part of that process.

Application procedure

If you're interested in auditioning with Bells of the Cascades, please complete the form below. You will be contacted by the membership committee chairperson with more information.

In addition to the application below, there are three other components to your audition:

• Letters of recommendation from three references listed in your application. The membership commitee chairperson will provide you with information to send to your references.

• Group ringing evaluation, which will include a demonstration of a working knowledge of handbell techniques and notation, through performing two or more pre-assigned parts in standard handbell repertoire with the rest of the ensemble. You will receive an advance copy of the music at least three weeks prior to the audition.

  The group ringing evaluation will also include such areas as sight reading, treble (multiple-bell), and/or low bass techniques, musicality, sense of ensemble, ringing style, response to direction, learning curve in rehearsal, confidence, recovery, and more. If you do not feel fully experienced in each of these ways, or are not comfortable ringing in all sections, we still encourage you to audition!

• An interview with the membership committee, usually held before the audition begins.