Jun 14

Tchaikovsky – The Seasons (handbells, two octaves, Level 3 to 5+)

In 2013, we published eight eight-handbell arrangements of selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. That was an exciting time for us, because we were preparing to do preshow for a local ballet company, and wanted to give them a nice surprise. Yes… they were surprised!

This time, we have a surprise for you! Nikolay Bernard, the editor of the music magazine Nouvellist, comissioned Tchaikovsky was commissioned to write a suite of twelve piano solos. They were released, in turn, each month of 1876. Because of the year-round theme, the pieces in this collection were entitled The Seasons, and they have remained gems in the piano repertoire.

These delightful works are now available as two-octave handbell arrangements. They’re challenging (Level 3 to 5+), so if you have seven to twelve intrepid ringers who want to stretch their wings, they’re going to have lots of fun mastering them. We’ve made them available separately – that way, you can test the waters by buying one arrangement. There also are two collections-of-six (January-June and July-December) that give you six pieces for the price of five.

Featured below is June: Barcarolle, one of the most familiar (and easiest) of the collection.

Jun 09

I Saw Three Ships – for twelve handbells

I Saw Three Ships is an English carol that dates back to the seventeenth or eighteenth century. Some people think that the “three ships” were the camels (aka “ships of the desert”) that the Magi rode on their way from the east to Bethlehem. Whether or not this is the reference made by the text, the carol has remained a favorite for centuries – and now it’s available from Choraegus as a new twelve-bell work!

Our new arrangement of this Christmas song for twelve handbells has versions in Bb major (C5-G5) and C major (D5-A6), so be sure to use the BUCs on the webpage to verify that you have all of the bells you need.

I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day in the morning.

And who was in those ships all three on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
And who was in those ships all three on Christmas Day in the morning?

Our Saviour Christ and his ladye on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Our Saviour Christ and his ladye on Christmas Day in the morning.

Pray whither sailed those ships all three on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
Pray whither sailed those ships all three on Christmas Day in the morning?

O they sailed into Bethlehem on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
O they sailed into Bethlehem on Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the bells on Earth shall ring on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the bells on Earth shall ring on Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the angels in Heaven shall sing on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the angels in Heaven shall sing on Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the souls on Earth shall sing on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the souls on Earth shall sing on Christmas Day in the morning.

Purchasing this 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six 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.

Jun 06

From Starry Skies Descending – for twelve handbells

The Italian carol Tu scendi dalle stelle is lovely, though perhaps less familiar to Americans than others. Our new twelve-bell arrangement will bring a new bit of joy to your holiday services and celebrations.

Our new arrangement of this Christmas song for twelve handbells has versions in Bb major (C5-G5) and C major (D5-A6), so be sure to use the BUCs on the webpage to verify that you have all of the bells you need.

Tu scendi dalle stelle,
O Re del Cielo,
e vieni in una grotta,
al freddo al gelo.

O Bambino mio Divino
Io ti vedo qui a tremar,
O Dio Beato
Ahi, quanto ti costò
l’avermi amato!
A te, che sei del mondo

il Creatore,
mancano panni e fuoco;
O mio Signore!

Caro eletto Pargoletto,
Quanto questa povertà
più mi innamora!
Giacché ti fece amor
povero ancora!

From starry skies descending,
Thou comest, glorious King,
A manger low Thy bed,
In winter’s icy sting;

O my dearest Child most holy,
Shudd’ring, trembling in the cold!
Great God, Thou lovest me!
What suff’ring Thou didst bear,
That I near Thee might be!
Thou art the world’s Creator,

God’s own and true Word,
Yet here no robe, no fire
For Thee, Divine Lord.

Dearest, fairest, sweetest Infant,
Dire this state of poverty.
The more I care for Thee,
Since Thou, O Love Divine,
Will’st now so poor to be.

Purchasing this 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six 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.

Jun 02

This is My Father’s World (handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, plus handchimes, 1 octave, Level 3-)

The world around us testifies of God’s greatness. Bible passages such as Psalm 19 remind us of this, and the natural wonders that greet our eyes – sunrises? sunsets? trees? stars? – are further testimony to what He’s done. We have a new arrangement of the hymn This My Father’s World for your choir to play!

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.

May 26

Crown Him with Many Crowns (DIADEMATA) – for handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 2+

We have a new arrangement of the hymn Crown Him with Many Crowns! It’s for three, four, or five octaves of handbells, plus one octave of handchimes. It’s Level 2+, and has plenty for your ringers to do and enjoy!

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.

May 23

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (MENDELSSOHN) (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 5)

We bring you a fresh and unusual arrangement of this beloved Christmas song. The irregular meters will keep your ringers on their toes, and will give your congregation a different look at rejoicing during Christmas season!

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King”

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.

May 16

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (MENDELSSOHN) – Handbell duet with piano and optional flute

We bring you a fresh and unusual arrangement of this beloved Christmas song. The irregular meters will keep your ringers on their toes, and will give your congregation a different look at rejoicing during Christmas season!

If played as a four-in-hand duet, a table will be needed. Also, it would be advantageous to add a couple of duplicate bells to facilitate the changes; exactly which ones you need will depend on how your pair your bells, and which are primaries/secondaries. This arrangement could also be played as an accompanied handbell quartet.

And an optional flute part is also available!

While the AGEHR level system applies specifically to scores for handbell choirs, this piece would have an approximate challenge rating of Level 5.

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King”

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain the number of copies needed by your handbell ensemble. 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.

May 09

Twas in the Moon of Wintertime (HURON CAROL) (handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, plus handchimes, 3 octaves, Level 3)

This is the oldest known Canadian carol. Gitchi Manitou is Algonquian for “Great Spirit”, the Native American name for God, and the lyrics tell the Christmas story as it might have told been near the Great Lakes. Our new arrangement for three or five octaves of handbells (plus optional three-octave chimes) tells the story with a special air of mystery.

‘Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering hunters heard the hymn,
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found;
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou
The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

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Other arrangements available for eight handbells.

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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May 05

Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, plus handchimes, 3 octaves, Level 3+)

The plainchant DIVINUM MYSTERIUM has been around since the thirteenth century. Because it’s a chant, the metrical pattern of the melody is based on the syllabic structure of the text, making the phrases of variable length. This new arrangement, however, is in almost-5/4 (so, with a few 4/4 measures thrown in) – we think it’ll be a joyful representation (or “re-presentation”) of the hymn!

Of the Father’s love begotten ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega; He the source, the ending He,
of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see
evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessed, when a virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving, bore the Savior of our race;
and the Babe, the world’s Redeemer, first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him, angel hosts, His praises sing,
pow’ers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent, ev’ery voice in concert ring
evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving and unwearied praises be:
honor, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory
evermore and evermore!

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.

Apr 25

Squirrels (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 4)

Our garden has lots of large trees. With those trees come many lively, carefree squirrels. They’re a bit like the sparrows Jesus talked about – they don’t worry about things, because God provides for them. I think the Father above knows when even the smallest, cutest squirrel drops to the ground, too.

This original piece for handbell choir is titled for these little furry animals, but if you want to play it to give your congregation some joy, you’re more than welcome to create an alternate title, such as “Rejoicing”!

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.