Author's posts
Oct 28
A la Media Noche – Twelve handbells
Living in this world means getting to rub shoulders with people from many different cultures. We’ve learned that there’s a rich heritage that our Hispanic friends have to share with us. Here’s a carol from Puerto Rico, the title of which, A la media noche, translates to “at midnight”. Our new twelve-bell arrangement presents the …
Oct 23
Eternal Father, Strong to Save (MELITA) (Handbells, 2 octaves, plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 3)
Eternal Father, Strong to Save, also known in the United States as “The Navy Hymn” speaks of the dangers of life and how they must submit to the power and authority of God. Its serious character gives assurance in the direst time, and reminds us of our everlasting need for the protection of the Creator. …
Oct 20
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day (OLD CORNISH CAROL) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 3-)
[Tomorrow Shall Be] My Dancing Day tells the story of salvation from Christ’s point of view. This makes the lyrics a bit mystical, because it draws in quite a lot of soteriological (soteriology = “doctrine of salvation”) in the form of Biblical references. However, it presents these references charmingly, because they’re all focused on the …
Oct 20
O Little Town of Bethlehem (FOREST GREEN) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)
The Christmas carol O Little Town of Bethlehem reflects the quiet joy of the Savior’s birth. This arrangement is of the hymn tune FOREST GREEN, the melody more often used for Phillip Brooks’ lyric. O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go …
Oct 20
In the Bleak Midwinter (CRANHAM) (Handbells, 2 octaves, plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 2)
The poem often comes first… Christina Rosetti wrote the words for Scribner’s Monthly in 1872, and then a few years later (1906, to be precise), Gustav Holst set her verse to music. The result: In the Bleak Midwinter, one of the most reflective and well-loved of all Christmas songs. We have a new Level 2 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
