Bell Choirs

In addition to the graded choir and the contemporary music program, the Cathedral also has a graded English handbell ministry that corresponds with the graded choir program.

For those in the 3rd grade, the Wesley Handchime Choir is available.

By the 4th through 7th grade, early youth play in Jubilation Ringers.

In senior high, those involved in the Epworth Chorale have the opportunity to audition for the Cathedral Bell Choir — a choir that tours each June.

For the adult ringer, Chancel Bell Ringers is a great place to have a lot of weekly fun!

Wesley Chimes (Elementary)

Requisite: must be involved in Celebration Choir

Description: Wesley Chimes is open to 12 – 14 Celebration Choir members in the 2nd and 3rd grades. A fun training ground for young musicians, this ensemble helps to teach young people the fundamentals of bell ringing as well as elementary music reading skills.

Wesley Chimes rehearsals: Wednesdays, September through May , 5:00-5:30pm

Jubilation Ringers (Younger Youth)

Requisite: must be involved in either Wesley Boys Choir or Jubilation Girls Choir

Description: This training ground for young players builds upon the foundation laid in Wesley Chimes and gives young players the opportunity to both rhythm and note reading skills. New players are always welcome. Fun is always encouraged!

Rehearsals: Sundays from September through May @ 4:00-4:45pm

Cathedral Bell Choir (Older Youth)

Requisite: Epworth Chorale

Description: The Cathedral Bell Choir is selected from the Epworth Chorale grades 8 – 12. This group of highly devoted ringers rehearses on Sunday afternoon throughout the school year and plays a wide variety of advanced repertoire for 5 to 6-octaves of English handbells. The Cathedral Bell Choir performs at Christmas at the Cathedral and tours annually with the Epworth Chorale each June and, in its nearly sixty-year history, has played around all over the US and Canada at two Worlds Fairs. In 2011, their tour will take them to 8 different locations in Oregon and Washington State.

Rehearsals: Sundays 2:45pm-4pm; late August through early June

Chancel Bell Choir (Adult)

Description: Chancel Bell Choir is an adult bell choir that rehearses Thursday evenings prior to Chancel Choir rehearsal. Always willing to agree that they are a bunch of Ding-a-lings, this fun-loving and devoted group of advanced players ring in worship about once every 6 weeks on 5-6 octaves of English handbells. Outside of worship, this choir also plays for the annual production of Christmas at the Cathedral and has also played at local nursing homes. Please come and join them! This group always welcomes new and improving ringers as well as the fellowship of making new friends.

Rehearsals: Thursday, 6:00pm

Directed by: Dr. Paul A. Aitken, Director of Music & Worship Arts