Bells of the Cascades 35th Anniversary

so many former BOC players in the audience

joined the current performers

thrilled to remember the skill and bonding

of having become the instrument as each plays

individual notes of the overall handbell instrument

Matthew Compton’s “Lumen Fidei” celebrating

the experience of the power of music to take a person

beyond self into being a part of so much greater

Bells of the Cascades and Cathedral Bells

Bells of the Cascades and Cathedral Bells “Encore” June 2, 2024

riveted to watching, listening

soaring with the handbell skill

and techniques we sat forward

on our seats to take in the music

before it lifted to the multi-story

archway over the cathedral crux

Matthew Compton and Alex Guebert

composers, arrangers, directors

intense musicians and collaborating friends bringing us masterful “Nexus,”

“Reconciliation,” and “All Creatures

of Our God and King”

the joy of experiencing awe

bells of the cascades, 12/2023

 brilliant, intricate patterns

and rhythms, quick runs

of an octave or more

rung up and down from one

four-in-hand handbell ringer

to the next and back again

too fast for audience to catch

each twist and pump of fist

that creates the music

that mesmerizes and awes