Saturday, May 21, 2011

Cathy Moklebust was the featured clinician for 30 ringers in the beautiful capital city of Juneau, Alaska. Resurrection Lutheran Church and Chapel by the Lake hosted the handbell workshop held September 17-18. Three ringers came down from Anchorage to add to the fun.

The workshop included two 3 hour mass ringing rehearsals in the morning and afternoon and individual coaching sessions with both Resurrection Lutheran and the Chapel by the Lake bell choirs, closing with a public demonstration of Cathy's selections plus the coaching pieces. It was greatly appreciated by our audience of bell groupies and family members.

The three pieces of her music exhibited were:

Calming Peace, Choristers Guild, CGB438

'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime, Choristers Guild, CGB155

Come, Let Us Eat, Choristers Guild, GCB152

The ringers said that Cathy was a wonderful teacher and they have been charged up and are ready for a great ringing year. Now we have to start thinking about when to hold the next one!

'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime is a piece Cathy wrote for her husband, David, (who was here with her). They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary here in Juneau.

Gillian Hays

Bells of the Cascades with clinician Dr. William Payn

More than 130 handbell ringers from around the world (yes, there were ringers from Scotland and England) joined Bells of the Cascades in August for a cruise to Alaska while enjoying the ringing of handbells. Highlights of the cruise included the natural beauty of the inland passage while experiencing incredible music-making. Ports of call were Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway which were enjoyed with glorious sunny weather amidst the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm provided close-up views of calving glaciers, waterfalls, and whale and other wildlife watching.
Dr. William Payn was the clinician for the cruise. He worked with two separate handbell groups preparing them for a closing concert attended by about 100 non-ringing cruisers. Each group performed three pieces that they rehearsed throughout the week. In addition, a "beginner" group was formed for anyone interested in learning to ring handbells; their final performance was appreciated by all. For those interested, workshops on special techniques, memorization, etc., were available. In addition, Bells of the Cascades organized lunch group "table topics" where ringers could join in conversation. And early Friday morning Bells of the Cascades performed their concert in the Vista Lounge.
Under the leadership of Nancy Hascall, ensembles were formed and coached for their special concert during the week. More than eight individual ensembles were formed-some meeting for the first time on the cruise. It was apparent they were having a good time working in their small groups perfecting ensemble skills and making music.
Bells of the Cascades will soon plan its twelfth cruise. Be on the lookout for the announcement and start saving now to join them. You won't be sorry.

Bells of the Sound, a community handbell choir in Seattle, Washington, is holding auditions for prospective new members on Sunday, October 17. If you are interested in auditioning for us and would like to schedule an audition time, or if would like more information, please contact Elliot Lewis at auditions@bellsofthesound.org.

Saturday, October 2 - 7:30 pm at Lake Oswego United Methodist Church, 1855 Southshore Blvd, Lake Oswego. Concert with Nancy Hascall, handbell soloist; Barbara Brocker, bell tree soloist and Ruben Mendoza, handbell soloist. This is a benefit for "Hard Times Suppers," a program serving Wednesday night meals for homeless and low income people in SE Portland. For additional information, contact Nanch Hascall at Hascall.nancy@gmail.com or Barb Brocker at bbrocker@cmc.net.