Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow is an African-American Christmas spiritual. It’s about the message that drew the shepherds (well, at least one shepherd) to follow the Christmas star to find the Christ Child. The spiritual is a “call and response” song – one way it’s been done in many Black churches is to have the …
Category: Handbell Ensemble
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 …
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. Refrain: My Lord, what a morning; My Lord, what …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Hark! the Glad Sound (CHESTERFIELD) – 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 …
Aug 17
It only seemed quiet this week!
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 …
Aug 09
Nocturne (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, plus handchimes, 3 octaves, Level 2+)
Nocturne is an original work for three or five octaves of handbells (and three octaves of handchimes). I composed it as an entry in a composition contest, with the conditions being that it had to be Level 2 or 3, and be less than 4’30” in duration. I think you’ll like – or maybe love! …
