Bells of the Cascades presents “Blessings,” a concert of English handbell music, at Lynnwood’s Trinity Lutheran Church Oct. 22.
The Portland, Ore., based community handbell ensemble’s program is structured as a journey through the various gifts that enrich our lives; the gifts of nature, life, community and the world around us.
Although handbells trace their history to ancient China, English handbells resulted from the large swinging bells that are often heard ringing in church towers in England, as well as throughout the United States and Europe. In the 18th century, the bell ringers needed to practice in the church towers, which meant the whole town heard the music — and their mistakes. To overcome this problem, smaller bells were created, allowing church musicians to practice their craft, and only play the larger tower bells when they wanted the people in the village to hear the beautiful ringing.
Bells of the Cascades was originally organized in 1990 by a group of directors and advanced ringers seeking to share their love of handbells and a more challenging ringing experience. Richard Coulter was invited to direct, ringers auditioned, a nonprofit corporation was formed, and the choir was off and running. In the fall of 1997, Nancy Hascall was named director following Coulter’s retirement.
Further information is available at www.bellsofthecascades.org.
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