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…

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!):

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

Dona Nobis Pacem for Eight Handbells

We don’t really know how this one escaped our attention, but we’ve (finally) arranged Dona Nobis Pacem for eight handbells.

And we’re giving it to you for free!

Rhapsody in Blue (Handbells, 5-8 octaves, plus handchimes, 5 octaves, Level 6+)

Rhapsody in Blue, the iconic work by George Gershwin, entered the public domain as of 2020. It’s our distinct pleasure and privilege to present this new arrangement for handbells!

While none of the sections of this arrangement are of an AGEHR Level higher than 5, playing this arrangement in its entirety would be a tremendous challenge, so the overall work is rated Level 6+. It would be the experience of a lifetime to play this!

MP3:

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.