Sep 22

Smiles (Handbells, 5-8 octaves, plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 5)(Bay View Week of Handbells 2023)

The song Smiles has a long and wonderful history. T. Will Callahan wrote the lyrics in a Bay View cottage near the end of World War I, and it went on to be a tremendous hit, selling about 5,000,000 print copies (before the existence of public radio, or television, or the internet).

The connection to Bay View, Michigan led to its inclusion in the repertoire for the 2023 Bay View Week of Handbells. Fred Gramann requested the addition of “more” to our 4-5 octave arrangement, and so the second verse of that score became a lively, wild, rollicking Charleston.

If you’ve thought about playing our “basic” version of Smiles but would like
“more”, here it is!

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.

Sep 11

Four Twelve-Bell Hanukkah Songs!

A friend asked if we could come up with some twelve-bell music for Hanukkah. We’re happy to say that we found four songs that worked nicely!

Hanukkah, O Hanukkah – a lively, happy song about the Jewish Festival of Lights, the annual holiday commemorating the miracle of God’s provision and sustenance. The symbol for this remembrance is the menorah.

Ma’oz Tzur – God’s preservation of Israel is remembered in this ancient hymn.

The Dreidel Song – A dreidel is a small spinner/top that’s used for various games, especially at Hanukkah. I remember learning this one in elementary school when we learned about other cultures.

Sevivon Sov Sov Sov – This is known as “the other dreidel song”; its title translates “dreidel spin, spin, spin”. It has two sets of words, one when sung in Jerusalem (“here”) and one when sung everywhere else (“there”) – both remember the miracle that Hanukkah is all about.

For each of these 12-bell arrangements, purchase 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.

Find Larry and Carla on Facebook!

Aug 14

Escape from No-Note Island, for five to seven octaves of handbells, Level 5

Here’s the story behind this new original handbell composition, Escape from No-Note Island:

Handbell compositions are usually written for note ranges that constitute complete octaves of bells. Having this agreed-on convention between manufacturers, composers, publishers, and performers makes it easier to maintain consistency within the ringing art. For instance, “five octaves” refers to the range C3-C8. Because of this, we start with a common knowledge about the music to be written and the bells needed to play it.

Although this is an excellent way of doing things, the resulting music tends to prefer the middle of its designated note range. This often results in the lowest and largest bells seeing less action. Bass ringers can often accept this situation because it means they can get a short break between spates of heavy lifting.

It’s a different matter for the upper treble ringers. Treble ringers generally prefer being active and occupied, and so there are some who have an aversion to being sent to the far right end of the table, which to them is a desolate place known as “Position 11”. This aversion has led some to label Position 11 with epithets such as “No-Note Island”.

This piece is dedicated to those of you who feel marooned and forsaken when you’re sent to the topmost position. I hope you’ll feel better about being there when you play this work.

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.

Aug 07

The Twelve Days of Christmas – for handbell trio!

The Twelve Days of Christmas has been a holiday favorite for a long time, so much so that there’s an annual update about the cost of a partridge in a pear tree, two turtle doves, three French hens… For the dedicated true love person, it details a serious financial enterprise!

Our arrangement for handbell trio, commissioned by St. Andrew United Methodist Church (Highlands Ranch, Colorado), is fun to play, has some little bits of humor/strangeness, and will make you and your audience smile!

Rehearsal video:

Premiere performance:

Purchasing this arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain the number of copies needed your handbell ensemble (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.

Jul 24

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (Handbells, 3 octaves, Level 2)

Every Christmas bring the wonder of the Christ Child in the manger – it’s the mystery of God coming to live among us on earth. Here’s our new arrangement of Infant Holy, Infant Lowly for three octaves of handbells. It also works really well on chimes!

Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is Lord of all! Christ the babe is Lord of all!

Flocks were sleeping; shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new
saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of the gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was born for you! Christ the babe was born for you!

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.

Jul 05

Jingle Bells (Handbells, 3 octaves, Level 3-)

James Murray wrote Jingle Bells in 1857. We understand that it actually was a Thanksgiving song for a children’s play at his church… but history has made it into a Christmas song. That probably makes sense since December is snowier than November in most areas (well… if you’re far north enough). Our arrangement for three octaves is laid-back and fun!

Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go laughing all the way
Bells on bob tails ring making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing a sleighing song tonight!

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh!

A day or two ago I thought I’d take a ride
And soon Miss Fanny Bright was seated by my side
The horse was lean and lank misfortune seemed his lot
We got into a drifted bank and then we got upsot!

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.

Jun 23

The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended (ST. CLEMENT) (Handbells, two octaves, Level 2+)

The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended is about eternity in the “always” rather than the “forever” sense; the lyrics are about perseverance without letup as the Church continues her work night and day. Our arrangement for two octaves of handbells is Level 2+, and suitable for any service.

The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended / The darkness falls at Thy behest;
To Thee our morning hymns ascended / Thy praise shall hallow now our rest.

We thank Thee that Thy Church unsleeping / While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping / And rests not now by day or night.

As o’er each continent and island / The dawn leads on another day,
The voice of prayer is never silent / Nor dies the strain of praise away.

The sun, that bids us rest, is waking / Our brethren ‘neath the western sky,
And hour by hour fresh lips are making / Thy wondrous doings heard on high.

So be it, Lord; Thy throne shall never / Like earth’s proud empires, pass away:
But stand, and rule, and grow for ever / Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway.

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.

Jun 21

Kum Ba Yah (Handbells, 2 octaves, plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 2+)

Kum Ba Yah is an African-American spiritual, most likely dating back to the eighteenth or nineteenth century. The first known recording of it dates back to 1926, and was a pretty upbeat version of the song that, since then, has become a more prayerful meditation. The phrase “kum ba yah” is a linguistic variation of “come by here”, a plea for God to be near to provide comfort and hope. Our arrangement for two octaves of handbells is suitable for a quiet moment in your church service.

Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah;
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah;
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah;
O Lord, kum ba yah.

Someone’s singin’, my Lord, kum ba yah…

Someone’s cryin’, my Lord, kum ba yah…

Someone’s prayin’, my Lord, kum by yah…

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.

Jun 19

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (JESUS, MEINE FREUDE) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)

Johann Franck wrote I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say in the 17th century. The music for his hymn is unusual, because it has a minor key verse and major key refrain. The contrast reflects on how the difficulties of life (minor key) are answered by the love of the Savior (major key). Our two-octave arrangement of this hymn is Level 2+.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest;
lay down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give
the living water, thirsty one; stoop down and drink and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s light.
Look unto me; your morn shall rise and all your day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found in him my star, my sun;
and in that light of life I’ll walk till trav’ling days are done.

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.

Jun 17

How Great Thou Art (O STORE GUD) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)

Worshipers love the grandness of the Swedish hymn How Great Thou Art by Carl Gustav Boberg. English-speaking congregants have had the joy of singing it because of Stuart Hine’s translation work. Here’s our two-octave arrangement of this famous hymn.

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand hath made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

 O store Gud, när jag den verld beskådar
Som du har skapat med ditt allmaktsord,
Hur der din visdom leder lifvets trådar,
Och alla väsen mättas vid ditt bord.

Då brister själen
ut i lofsångsljud:
O store Gud!
O store Gud!”

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.