Album Notes

Bells of the Cascades (BOC) is a community handbell ensemble based in Portland, Oregon. It was formed in 1990 by a group of ringers and directors who recognized that handbells and handbell music were rapidly changing, growing and, in many ways, being reinvented as an instrument. Their desire was to bring this rich repertoire and unique sound beyond the church walls, where they are commonly heard, and to the community at large.

BOC has performed as a featured choir at the 1993 American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) Western National Conference, the 1997 AGEHR Directors' Seminar in Spokane, and several AGEHR Area X Conferences, as well as numerous community events throughout Western Oregon and Southern Washington. In 2001 BOC, in collaboration with the David York Ensemble, premiered The Bells, an original work by David York for handbells and voice. BOC began work on this CD in 2004. A CD Single, A Bit of... Bells of the Cascades, was released in October 2004.

In 1993 BOC organized its first Handbell Cruise as a floating workshop. Since then BOC has cruised the Eastern & Western Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, and Alaska, enjoying the company of ringers from all over North America, South America, and Australia. Beginning with our third cruise, we contracted with internationally acclaimed clinicians.