Alaska
Matthew Compton and Alex Guebert, clinicians
Bells of the Cascades cruise committee president shares this memory of this Handbell Cruise.
What an incredible journey we just had on the 16th BOC Cruise, lovingly called A Whale of a Cruise. With more than 200 people joining us, including 104 ringing participants, this year’s event was our biggest and best yet.
Ringers came from all over the United States, from Alaska to Puerto Rico, and we were thrilled to welcome international guests from Canada and Spain as well. It was amazing to see such a diverse and joyful group come together to make music, to connect, and to experience the beauty of Alaska.
We kicked things off with a private sail away party, complete with snacks, drinks, and a fun round of BOC Bingo. It was the perfect way to break the ice. We were able to learn everything from people’s favorite bell positions to the countries they’ve visited. It also gave everyone a chance to meet our fantastic guest clinicians, Matthew Compton and Alex Guebert, who shared a bit about themselves and what was in store for the week.
Throughout the cruise, ringers worked on ten beautiful pieces, including two special All-Star selections. Their performances at the Ringers Showcase was packed with energy and talent. The concert was a highlight for everyone on board.
One of the most heartwarming parts of the cruise was our beginner class, lovingly called the “Baby Whales.” With a full class of enthusiastic first-time ringers, a brand-new piece written just for them, and the honor of opening the Ringers Showcase, this group truly stole the show.
A big thank you to Shosh for leading a fun and playful class called “Funsterama.” From everything we heard, it was an absolute blast and had everyone laughing and learning.
The Ringers Showcase was packed with energy and talent. We heard from the Baby Whales, several amazing soloists and small ensembles, and our massed ringing groups who proudly showed off what they had learned throughout the week. We wrapped it all up with a fun re-imagined version of “Bound for South Alaska,” written just for this event. It was the perfect way to end an unforgettable week.
BOC played a hour-long concert on the World Stage to an audience of 400+ people. The result - a standing ovation at the end! Here's a link to that concert.
A special thank you to all the ringers and non-ringers who cruised with us, the amazing staff aboard Holland America, and of course the wonderful team at TravelPerks.
Until next time, keep ringing and keep smiling. We’re already counting down the days. Bells of the Cascades