When we figured out how to make demo videos of pieces using more than eight bells, it made sense to create sixteen-bell arrangements. That way, four-in-hand quartets were available; they also were a nice bridge between twelve-bell and two-octave handbell music. On the fifth day of Christmas, here’s our sixteen-bell arrangement of Wexford Carol. Good …
Category: Handbell Choir
Dec 25
Merry First Day of Christmas!
Today is Christmas Day, and so we’re starting the twelve-day celebration with Gaudete, an English piece from the Renaissance (or earlier). Joyous Christmas to you!
Dec 24
Merry Christmas!
As I write this from our home in Michigan, the storms pummeling most of the country have brought us lots of white, fluffy snow. It’s been accumulating all over our neighborhood, and has been constantly falling because of the “lake effect”. We love it here in winter! We hope you’ve had a good year, wherever …
Smiles (Handbells, 5-8 octaves, plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 5)(Bay View Week of Handbells 2023)
Smiles, written in 1917 by J. Will Callahan and Lee S. Roberts, is a song about the happiness brought by a dear one’s smile. We have a special, albeit indirect, attachment to this song, because in front of one cottage at the Bay View Association there’s a sign that declares that this cute little song …
Oct 16
WOODLANDS (Handbells, 3-5 octaves, plus handchimes, 1 , Level 3+)octave
The hymn tune WOODLANDS was written by Walter Greatorex in 1919. It’s a melody of grandeur and joy, and has been paired with texts such as Tell Out, My Soul and Filled with the Spirit’s Power. We present our new arrangement for three to five octaves of handbells, plus one octave of handchimes! Tell out, …
WOODLANDS (Handbells, 3-5 octaves, plus handchimes, 1 octave , Level 3+)
The hymn tune WOODLANDS was written by Walter Greatorex in 1919. It’s a melody of grandeur and joy, and has been paired with texts such as Tell Out, My Soul and Filled with the Spirit’s Power. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice; Tender to me the …
Oct 07
PSALM 22 – for sixteen handbells
PSALM 22 is a sixteenth-century hymn from the Genevan Psalter. The referenced psalm starts with “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?”, declaring King David’s remorse after sin. The text was spoken centuries later when Jesus died on the cross, accepting the punishment for our failure to live up to God’s perfect standard. …
Sep 29
Amazing Grace – for twelve handbells
John Newton’s famous hymn about being set free from the prison of being a slave trader is known worldwide for the message it brings. Here’s our arrangement for twelve bells. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I …
Sep 26
Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise (ST. DENIO) – for twelve handbells
Hymns have long been a means of trying to understand the unfathomable nature and Person of God. Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise, to the tune ST. DENIO, speaks of how God is beyond our comprehension who reaches to us from His throne. Here is our new arrangement for twelve handbells. Immortal, invisible, God only wise, …
Sep 22
It’s Our Anniversary!
Today is our tenth anniversary! Not Choraegus (we celebrated 26 years at the end of last year), but OURS, as in Larry & Carla. From God making it possible for us to meet on the Handbell Community Online, to Facebook, to Skype, and through the Bay View Week of Handbells, where we met and got …
