Last blog posting of the 2015 summer tour! Can't believe we are at the end. Today we'll stop in a park to sign tour books and enjoy a last bit of togetherness before heading for home. Thanks to everyone who supported the choir and made this tour possible. Bell parents, thank you. CUMC folks, thank you. Everyone is looking forward to a great home concert.
Here are some marvelous reflections from ringers, and a few final pictures of the kids having fun on tour!
This tour has been really good we’ve done so much I think
my favorite thing we have done was the aquarium or the experience music project
in Seattle it was so cool! They had props from famous movies such as harry
potter, labrynth, game of thrones, and so much more so I was running around
nerding out about all of it, we also got to play with a bunch of sound
equipment and learn a lot about music. I’m very excited to go home but I will
miss tour a ton. I’ve learned so much about myself and others in the choir this
year. I’m excited to see what the choir will be in the next few years and to
watch everyone grow –Bobbie Jacobsen
I’ve been on a few tours in my time, but I think this one
will definitely stand out to me. I love the Pacific Northwest, so all the amazing
sights we saw this tour (San Francisco, redwoods, the Oregon Coast, Victoria,
etc) make it one of my favorite tours, not to mention the amazing people we
have with us! I don’t think that the transition between Terry and Justin could
have gone any smoother. This was a drama free, fun filled tour, and I’m really
appreciative of everyone who helped out with it, and Justin and Katie for taking
over this amazing organization. I will always cherish the memories of my time
in the choir.
Jake Allison
This tour has been the most memorable so far. I loved being
on the coast and being able to see so many new places, but the one activity
that sticks out to me was tea at the Empress hotel. Ed, Gina, Alicia G., and I
were able to go to high tea at the empress hotel. Not only was the tea and food
great, but I was able to learn a lot about the choir, and it’s founding from
the man who started it all. I also learned a lot about Ed and why he started
music, and about all the things that happened in his life that led to the
creation and continuation of the Wesley bell Ringers, an organization, no a
family that I am proud to say that I have been a part of.
C.P. Anderson
Today is the last bus day of the last tour in my Wesley Bell
Ringer career. Thinking about that is heartbreaking. The things I have learned in
my four years are all lessons I will never forget. This choir is truly one of
the most important things in my life and it is also the one thing I am most
proud of. Every person in this choir is my family. There isn’t one person who I
don’t love unconditionally. Leaving this year is bitter sweet and won’t be
easy. Fortunately, I will be able to take the choir with me through the way The
Wesley Bell Ringers has shaped me as an individual. Often, the choir discusses “bell
pride”. Bell pride is defined by many as the ability to have pride for the
organization and the way in which we play. For me, the music takes second
place. For me bell pride is love. It is a love for one another, for God, and
for The Wesley Bell Ringers that has lasted 52 years and I am so grateful to
have been a part of this organization
-Tim Hare
Today is the last day of tour, I can already feel the
emotional and physical toll running though my body; however, today is the day
were it tops it all. We say goodbye to some for a short period of time or for a
little longer. This tour is one to remember. I enjoyed learning new things in
all places we have been. San Francisco was such beautiful and vibrant city. The
history is overwhelming with knowledge and emotions. There was one other place
that I will never forget, in Washington about 20 minutes before we left for
Victoria my sister called me to inform me that she had her baby that morning.
Wow talk about timing. I was just full of emotions, happy, sad, excited, and disappointed.
I couldn’t be there for my sister or my family. I had such a big support system
here, my other family, to help me through all the emotions I was feeling. I
couldn’t ask for anything else when I have the Wesleys and I am honored to be
part of something so amazing..
-Alicia Griffing
