As you may know, plainchant was one of the great expressions of church music. It’s been that way for hundreds of years – and some of the songs from those times are still with us. We’ve set Divinum Mysterium (aka “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”) for eight handbells, and think it will go well with your Advent and Christmas services.
Oct 04
But while you look forward to Christmas… another collection!
We’re gearing up for Christmas (because we have to practice our music now to be ready in time…)! It’s an exciting time of year because we love the holidays so much.
We really, really love sharing new music with all of you, because it means you can get something to add to your repertoire as well. So… here’s our first collection of eight-bell Irish jigs! It contains five of the ones that we’ve already released – and if you buy the collection, you can get the five of them for a bit less!
Perhaps you have a friend who’d have lots of fun with them – and maybe ask you to be the other half of the duet? 😉
Sep 14
Christmas is on the Way!
Yes, it’s pretty early to be thinking about Christmas shopping – but not about rehearsing for the holiday season! Most of the handbell directors (and choral directors, too) we know, start choosing their season’s music in August or September so they can focus on the music when everyone’s together.
We’ve posted our first new Christmas piece of 2014. It’s an eight-bell arrangement of “Away in a Manger” (the James Murray melody, which seems to be the more popular one in the USA). The delicate feel of this piece will make it perfect for your Christmas Eve service, or for any other thoughtful, contemplative moment in your December at church.
Aug 11
A New Collection!
We’ve (finally!) put together our first collection of eight-bell hymns! It’s a set of eight arrangements that you can use throughout the year, so you can use it as the bulk of your small ensemble pieces for a whole season (adding in other pieces for Christmas, of course!) – or you can even play them all at the same time as a mini-concert!
Larry and Carla’s Eight-Bell Hymn Collection contains the following:
– Take My Life and Let It Be
– Kingsfold
– When Morning Gilds the Skies
– Just As I Am
– Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
– Lucerna Laudoniae
– All the Way My Spirit Leads Me
– Simple Gifts
Do take a look – you’ll have fun with these!
Jul 13
To a Wild Rose
We have a new eight-bell arrangement! It’s Edward MacDowell’s “To A Wild Rose”, and it’s perfect for that one-minute spot that you have in your service or program. We have a feeling that many of you have played this on the piano… have fun!
Jul 09
New Music’s Here!
The continuing quest for fun and art proceeds! We’ll be rolling out a bunch of new eight-bell pieces in the next couple of weeks, and we think you’re going to have a lot of fun trying them out.
We’ve put out a new recording of “The Butterfly”, possibly the most popular Irish slip jig of all time (it comes up first in the searches we made, and is way, way ahead of whichever jig is in second place.
And today’s new release is “Moreton Bay”, a thoughtful Australian folk song also known as “The Convict’s Lament” – it, of course, is about the hard life that “new residents” of Down Under had when sent there as punishment for their crimes. Despite the sad story behind the song, it’s a beautiful piece.
Keep dropping by – there’ll be much more music to come!
Jun 14
The TCCC Processional is available!
I just returned from the 2014 Texas Conference Choir Clinic (affectionately known as “Choir Camp”). For the Thursday communion service, we had a specially-written handbell processional which the Advanced Adult Handbell Choir memorized and played in just two rehearsals.
It’s available for just $10.00 for the number of copies your ensemble will need at “Processional TCCC 2014”!
Aug 24
The New Season is Upon Us!
It’s the end of summer (well, not technically since the equinox doesn’t happen for a few more weeks…), and we’re planning to release some new music! Keep checking in, because it’ll be more ringing fun!
And… if you want to have us ring at your event, let us know by clicking on the “Book Us!” link above!
Jul 15
Just Released! – “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen”
We’ve just released our eight-bell arrangement of Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen! You can find – and see/hear, and buy it at https://www.choraegus.com/ring/eight-bell-music/eight-bell-american/nobody-knows-the-trouble-ive-seen/ .
Happy Ringing! 🙂
Jul 10
Want to book us for the holidays?
We (Larry and Carla) are starting to get ready for the 2013 holiday season. We have over an hour of eight-bell Christmas music, so that means we can be part of a service, or a dinner party, or a corporate celebration… or you can even have us put on a concert at your church or organization!
Meanwhile, there still is time between now and the fall, so we’d love to play at your wedding or other special occasion!
All you have to do is click on “Book Us!” above, and send us a message!
