Sep 30

Sussex Carol (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 3)

This traditional English Christmas Sussex Carol is also known as “On Christmas Night All Christians Sing”. The arrangement we see in our hymnals is almost certainly the one written by Ralph Vaughan Williams… but the unharmonized tune is far older than that. We know you’ll enjoy playing our arrangement for two octaves of handbells!

On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear what news those angels bring;
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our Saviour King’s own birth.

Then why should men on earth be so sad
Since our Redeemer made us glad,
When from sin He set us free
All for to gain our liberty.

Now sin depart, behold His grace,
Everlasting life comes in its place,
And soon we shall its terror see
And poor and rich must conquered be

Then out of darkness we see light,
Which makes all angels to sing this night
“Glory to God and peace to men
Both now and evermore. Amen.”

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Sep 26

Lo, How a Rose – “Surprisingly Easy”™ version for eight handbells

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming dates back to sixteenth-century Germany. Its lyric combines the image of Jesus Christ as the Rose of Sharon and the Root of Jesse, plus the traditional impression of celebrating Christmas in winter. It was translated to English by Theodore Baker in the nineteenth century.

Our “standard” eight-bell arrangement of this lovely carol has a fairly limited number of tricky bits (particularly the second verse), so today we’ve published the “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell version. Enjoy

Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
As men of old have sung.
It came, a flower bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-gone was the night.

Isaiah ’twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind:
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright
She bore to men a Savior
When half-gone was the night.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere.
True man, yet very God,
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens every load.

Theodore Baker, 1894

 Es ist ein Ros entsprungen,
Aus einer Wurzel zart,
Wie uns die Alten sungen,
Von Jesse kam die Art,
Und hat ein Blümlein bracht
Mitten im kalten Winter
Wohl zu der halben Nacht.

Das Reislein, das ich meine,
So uns das Blumlein bringt,
Maria ists, die Reine,
Von der Jesaias singt;
Nach Gottes ewgem Rath
Hat sie ein Kind geboren
Und bleibt doch reine Magd.

So singen wir all’ “Amen!”
Das heisst: “Nun werd” es wahr,
Dass wir begehrn allsammen:
“O Jesu, hilf uns dar
In deines Vaters Reich!
Darin wolln wir dich loben:
O Gott, uns das vewrleih!”

Cologne Gesangbuch, 1599

Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score, if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Sep 23

Still, Still, Still (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2)

The Christmas lullaby Still, Still, Still reminds us that the Christ Child sleeps, and that He sleeps under the watchful eyes of the angels of heaven. Our Level 2 arrangement for two octaves fits a smaller group if you find yourself short on Christmas Eve ringers, and can be prepared relatively quickly.

Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.
For all is hushed,
The world is sleeping,
Holy Star its vigil keeping.
Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.

Sleep, sleep, sleep,
‘Tis the eve of our Saviour’s birth.
The night is peaceful all around you,
Close your eyes,
Let sleep surround you.
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
‘Tis the eve of our Saviour’s birth.

Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.
While guardian angels without number,
Watch you as you sweetly slumber.
Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.

George K. Evans

Still, still, still,
Weil’s Kindlein schlafen will.
Maria tut es niedersingen
Ihre keusche Brust darbringen,
Still, still, still,
Weil Kindlein schlafen will.

Schlaf, schlaf, schlaf,
Mein liebes Kindlein, schlaf.
Die Englein tun schön musizieren
Bei dem Kindlein jubilieren,
Schlaf, schlaf, schlaf,
Mein liebes Kindlein, schlaf.

Auf, auf, auf,
Ihr Adamskinder auf.
Fallet Jesum all zu Füssen,
Weil er für uns d’Sünd tut büssen.
Auf, auf, auf,
Ihr Adamskinder auf.

Wir, wir, wir,
Wir rufen all zu Dir:
Tu uns des Himmels Reich aufschliessen,
Wenn wir einmal sterben müssen.
Wir, wir, wir,
Wir rufen all zu Dir.

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Sep 14

Bring Me Sunshine (Handbells, 3 octaves, Level 3)

Sylvia Dee and Arthur Kent wrote this happy, charming little song back in the 1960s. It sticks in your mind easily, and even influenced a generation of UK TV viewers on “Morecambe and Wise”. Our arrangement adds a cute descant line as well.

Bring me sunshine / In your smile
Bring me laughter / All the while
In this world where we live / There should be more happiness
So much joy you can give / To each brand new bright tomorrow
Make me happy / Through the years
Never bring me / Any tears
Let your arms be as warm / As the sun from up above
Bring me fun / Bring me sunshine / Bring me Love.

This Level 3 arrangement can be played effectively even if you’re a couple of ringers short, because positions 1/2 (CD4 and EF4) can be handled nicely by one player. Also, positions 10/11 (GA6 and B6C7) can be played four-in-hand by one person as well!

Bring Me Sunshine is available from Sheet Music Direct!

Sep 11

Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow (Handbells, 3/5 octaves, Level 3)

We have a new arrangement of the spiritual Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow for three or five octaves of handbells today! Your handbell choir will have a blast playing it; you can enhance the fun by adding a cajón to the mix!

CALL RESPONSE
Oh, there’s a star in the East on Christmas morn
It will lead you to the place where the saviour’s born
Leave your ewes and leave your rams
Leave your sheep and leave your lambs
Follow, follow
Follow the star to Bethlehem
Come on now 		Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Rise up shepherd, and follow
Rise up shepherd, and follow
Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Follow
Now, if you take good heed to the angel’s word
You’ll forget your flock, forget your herd
You gotta leave your ewes and leave the lambs
You gotta leave your sheep and leave your rams
Follow, follow
Follow the star to Bethlehem 		Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Rise up, shepherd, and follow
In a cradle of straw is a babe asleep
Born that man no more will weep
Leave your burdens, lay them down
For you that child will wear a crown
Follow, you got to follow
Follow the star to Bethlehem 		Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Rise up, shepherd, and follow
Rise up, shepherd, and follow
There’s a light in the sky shining crystal clear
There’s a megaphone singing to my fear
Rise and go, you’re being released
Born this morning is the prince of peace
You got to follow
Rise and go, you’re being released (follow)
Rise up, rise up, rise up (rise up) 		Rise up, rise up, Move on, move on
Rise up, ’cause he’s born, he’s born
Rise up, rise up, Move on, move on
Rise up, I rise up, I rise up, rise up, Follow
Rise up, rise up, rise up, You got to follow
You got to follow, You gotta follow, yeah
You got to follow, I follow, follow, follow

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Sep 08

My Lord, What a Morning (BURLEIGH) – Sixteen handbells

The spiritual My Lord, What a Morning reflects on the glory and power of God. Although the lyrics have been explained in different ways, the conclusion remains the same: God still maintains control over the universe, and Christians have deep reasons for rejoicing in that fact. Our new arrangement for sixteen handbells will be a wonderful addition to your repertoire!

Refrain:
My Lord, what a morning;
My Lord, what a morning;
Oh, my Lord, what a morning,
When the stars begin to fall,
When the stars begin to fall.

You’ll hear the trumpet sound,
To wake the nations underground,
Looking to my God’s right hand,
When the stars begin to fall. Refrain

You’ll hear the sinner cry,
To wake the nations underground,
Looking to my God’s right hand,
When the stars begin to fall. Refrain

You’ll hear the Christian shout,
To wake the nations underground,
Looking to my God’s right hand,
When the stars begin to fall. Refrain

Sixteen Handbells, C5-D7 BUC
Score Package: $10.00 US
Practice track: $2.00 US
Sixteen Handbells, Bb4-C7 BUC
Score Package: $10.00 US
Practice track: $10.00 US

Purchasing this 16-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to eight copies for your handbell group – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Find Larry and Carla on Facebook!

Sep 05

New video for “Ding Dong, Merrily on High” for sixteen handbells!

We promised a video of our sixteen-bell arrangement of the Christmas carol “Ding Dong, Merrily on High”, and here it is! We hope you enjoy it!

Aug 30

The Star-Spangled Banner – Twelve handbells

Francis Scott Key wrote the words for “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 1814 after seeing the American flag raised over Fort McHenry in celebration of victory. The modern rendition (most often at patriotic and sports events, with biennial playings at the Olympics) usually consists of just Key’s first verse. All four of his verses, as kept in the National Museum of American History, are below.

Rather curiously, Americans sing their national anthem to the British song “To Anacreon in Heaven” by John Stafford Smith. The melody tests the vocal range of even the best singers, spanning twelve scale tones.

Amazingly enough, The Star-Spangled Banner fits into the twelve-bell paradigm – here’s the proof of that!

O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bomb bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,
‘Tis the star-spangled banner – O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a Country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto – “In God is our trust,”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Purchasing this 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six copies for your handbell group – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Aug 19

Hark! the Glad Sound – Twelve handbells

The hymn Hark! the Glad Sound, arranged for twelve handbells, anticipates the Savior’s coming. It speaks of the triumphant kingdom He will establish, and is suitable for Advent or Palm Sunday.

Hark, the glad sound! The Savior comes, the Savior promised long!
Let every heart prepare a throne, and every voice a song.

He comes the pris’ners to release, in Satan’s bondage held;

the gates of brass before Him burst, the iron fetters yield.

He comes the broken heart to bind, the bleeding soul to cure,
and with the riches of His grace, to enrich the humbled poor.

Our glad Hosannas, Prince of Peace, Thy welcome shall proclaim;

and heav’n’s eternal arches ring, with Thy beloved Name.

Purchasing this 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six copies for your handbell group – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Aug 17

It only seemed quiet this week!

bvwoh

I apologize for the apparent lack of activity at Choraegus this past week! The real-life picture involved more than just sitting around; we participated in the Bay View Week of Handbells. BVWOH happens in the first half of August each year in Petoskey, Michigan. The “Bay View” part comes from the Bay View Association, a National Historic Landmark on the shore of Little Traverse Bay. Bay View, a Chautauqua institution, exists to promote and advance faith, culture, the arts, and recreation; BVWOH, of course, fits into the “arts” part.

Don Allured started BVWOH as a Bay View member in 1978. He created an opportunity for handbell directors to get further education about their instrument. Over the years, BVWOH evolved into a performance event, even commissioning special compositions to be premiered during that week.

After setting up late Sunday night, we rehearse for 25-30 hours over the next four days, followed by a free public concert on Thursday night. Note, however, that we’re supposed to arrive “performance ready” on Monday afternoon, which implies that we should have been practicing our own parts for months beforehand. The difficulty level of the music brings a huge challenge on its own… and then we have the privilege of interpreting it together under the baton of our director, Fred Gramann.

The official Bay View season (when the music, lectures, etc. happen) runs for eight weeks; BVWOH has become so dear to the Bay View community that they refer to our time there as “week nine”. They arrive early on Thursday evening and fill the auditorium, anticipating a marvelous musical time together.

The Thursday evening program frequently receives the understated designation “handbell choir concert”. This year, 108 musicians worked with a tremendous amount of bells and chimes (ten five-octave choirs’ worth, plus three sets of bass chimes and thirty aluminum bass bells). And it all comes together magnificently.

For the next day or two, you can get a taste of our experience there, because the livestream recording is still available for a bit longer. Do take a look!