Mar 09

Lift High the Cross (Handbells, two octaves, Level 2+)

Lift High the Cross undoubtedly is most sung in churches at Easter (and maybe on through Pentecost), but the message of salvation through Christ rings true the whole year round. Our new arrangement, for two octaves of handbells, will be a welcome addition to your repertoire.

Refrain: Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.

Come, Christians, follow where the Master trod,
our King victorious, Christ the Son of God.

O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
your death has brought us life eternally.

So shall our song of triumph ever be:
praise to the Crucified for victory!

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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Mar 06

Be Thou My Vision (SLANE) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2)

For those of you who need a slightly-smaller handbell choir piece, we have a new two-octave arrangement of Be Thou My Vision. It’s a Level 2 score, so you should have a great time putting it together!

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun
Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

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.

Mar 02

Flower Drum Song (凤阳花鼓) (for handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 4)

Flower Drum Song Feng Yang Hua Gu (凤阳花鼓) may have been composed as far back as the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.). It comes from Fengyang County in Anhui Province, and is said to have been sung by people affected by floods in that region as part of asking for donations to recover their living. Here’s our arrangement for three or five octaves of handbells!

左手锣右手鼓手拿着锣鼓
来唱歌
别的歌儿我也不会唱
只会唱个凤阳歌
凤阳歌来咿哟嘿
得儿铃咚 飘一飘
得儿铃咚 飘一飘
得儿～ 飘 得儿～飘
得儿飘得儿 飘飘一得儿
飘飘飘一飘 		Left hand, right hand drummer, holding a gong
To sing
I can’t sing other songs.
I can only sing a Fengyang song.
Fengyang Songlai
Get a bell
Get a bell
Get it
It’s got a little fluttering
Fluttering

(Lyrics from Beth’s Notes Plus)

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.

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.

Feb 27

Simple Gifts (six handbells and piano)

Our six-bell arrangement of Simple Gifts has a contemporary twist which gives the pianist a fun part to play. It’s fairly easy for the ringers as well, and the ensemble combines to produce a nicely syncopated version of what usually is presented as a rather straightforward tune.

Purchasing this 6-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to three copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score) – 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.

Feb 17

Barcarolle (for twelve handbells)

Barcarolle is a well-known boating song. To me, it’s reminiscent of a tour of the canals of Venice via gondola. The gondolier propels the boat with a long pole; some of them even sing as you float along. And all the while, the history of the city and its beauty encircles you. Our arrangement for twelve handbells is fairly easy to play, and will be a welcome addition to your repertoire!

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.

Feb 08

Jasmine Flower (茉莉花) (handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 4-)

The Chinese folk song Mo Li Hua (茉莉花) dates back to the 18th century, and is one of the most popular Chinese tunes of all time. The title translates “jasmine flower”.

Your ensemble will have a great time playing our arrangement of Jasmine Flower. It’s a great selection for concert repertoire, or for a cultural presentation, and will charm your audience.

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.

Feb 05

The Bass Ringer’s Notebook

Front Cover
We have one book in the Choraegus store. It’s the Bass Ringer’s Notebook (Second Edition). This work of just over 100 pages contains information that will make your bass ringing more efficient and more effective. It’s recommended reading by the Handbell Musicians of America, and more than a few folks tell us they’ve benefited from having it in their library.

Here’s a sampling of topics:

  • Gloves, tape, and preparation for ringing
  • Lifting bass handbells
  • Ringing bass handbells
  • Bass chimes
  • Assignments for bass handbell teams
  • Ideas for managing table layout

Do take a look!

Feb 01

His Eye is on the Sparrow (for handbell choir)

At the end of this month, the Handbell Musicians of America is holding their annual Distinctly Bronze East in New Bern, North Carolina. It’s an event for advanced handbell musicians, and celebrates our art by preparing and presenting a concert of exciting and techically challenging works for handbells.

We’re honored that for the 2023 event, conductor Fred Gramann has selected our handbell choir arrangement of His Eye is on the Sparrow!

If you’re in the New Bern area on February 26th, the concert will be at the Riverfront Convention Center at 4:00 p.m. And if you can’t be there in person, the program will be livestreamed!

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.

Jan 26

Oh, How I Love Jesus – for six handbells and piano

The tune OH, HOW I LOVE JESUS is a simple one; its composer is unknown. It’s been sung for quite a long time as a gentle expression of faith in Christ for young children and mature adults. Our arrangement for six handbells and piano is fairly easy to play, and emphasizes the simple directness of the hymn.

There is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth;
it sounds like music in my ear, the sweetest name on earth.
Oh, how I love Jesus, Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus, because he first loved me!

It tells me of a Savior’s love, who died to set me free;
it tells me of his precious blood, the sinner’s perfect plea.
Oh, how I love Jesus, Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus, because he first loved me!

It tells of one whose loving heart can feel my deepest woe;
who in each sorrow bears a part that none can bear below.
Oh, how I love Jesus, Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus, because he first loved me!

This piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement provides an opportunity to play as a two-bells-each trio. Another possibility is to play as a duet where one ringer plays four bells and the other (perhaps a younger/newer player!) plays two bells.

The six bells in the score are accompanied by piano; if you don’t happen to have an accompanist available, we also have an accompaniment MP3 available for purchase.

Purchasing this 6-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to three copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score) – 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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Jan 23

Hyfrydol for six accompanied handbells

Our very first arrangement for six handbells and piano was Hyfrydol. True to form, it starts easily enough, but becomes more and more involved. If you like roller coasters, this piece is for you!

Purchasing this 6-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to three copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score) – 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.