Mar 26

Go to Dark Gethsemane – for eight handbells

The hymn tune REDHEAD NO. 76 seems unusual; its background is that the composer, Richard Redhead, published a book of hymns in the nineteenth century. Learning this made it all clear for me!

This is one of our easier “standard” arrangements, and we know it will be a welcome addition to your small ensemble repertoire for Holy Week.

Go to dark Gethsemane, / You who feel the tempter’s pow’r;
Your Redeemer’s conflict see; / Watch with Him one bitter hour;
Turn not from His griefs away; / Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.

Mar 19

Song of Hope/Canto de esperanza (ARGENTINA, for eight handbells)

One of the teens at our church asked if we could make an arrangement of this lively Argentine melody for eight bells. Here’s the result!

Mar 05

Gwerzy – for Eight Handbells!

We’ve (finally!) decided to release this one. Gwerzy has been a challenge to the handbell world since it was arranged for full handbell choir in the 1990s. It’s our privilege to continue the fun (with permission from Kíla – thank you Colm and Dee!) with our eight-handbell arrangement. As Robert Conrad used to say in the Eveready battery ads, “G’wan, I dare ya.”

And in case you want to compare it to the original Kíla video…

Feb 27

Larry and Carla’s Fourth “Surprisingly Easy”™ Hymn Collection for Eight Handbells

We present our fourth “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell hymn collection! Here’s what it contains (which you can order separately… but getting the whole collection is a better deal!):

Feb 23

At the Cross (HUDSON) – the standard eight-handbell version!

We’ve had a “Surprisingly Easy”™ version of the hymn tune HUDSON since 2015, but it took a while longer to write a “standard” version. Here it is!

Feb 20

Come, All You People, Praise Our God (ODAWA) – for Eight Handbells

We gather each week to celebrate the greatness of the God who has saved us. Here’s our eight-bell arrangement of this hymn text, set to the tune ODAWA.

Feb 17

Beach Spring (BEACH SPRING) – for Eight Handbells

The Sacred Harp from the nineteenth century has been a popular source of music for American hymnody. Dozens of hymn texts have been set to the tune BEACH SPRING, such as Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy and What A Friend We Have in Jesus. Here’s our eight-bell arrangement – we’re sure you’ll enjoy playing it!

Feb 14

Choral accompaniment tracks

We’ve had music for SATB choir, men’s quartet, and ladies’ trio here for a long, long time. These pieces are written in lots of musical styles, from classical to traditional church choral expression to jazz and pop. We think there’s something here for everyone!

Until now, however, we haven’t made the original accompaniment tracks available for purchase. These have been added for almost all of the vocal pieces on Choraegus (the notable exceptions being the a cappella scores), and for a few additional dollars you can sing or perform these numbers with just the vocalists on hand!

We hope you’ll check them out!

Feb 13

Nearer, My God, to Thee (BETHANY) – for Eight Handbells

God wants us to be near to Him; this prayer is that we would seek to be near to God. Here’s our eight-bell arrangement of a hymn that’s provided comfort and solace to many believers.