A California couple commissioned A Celebration of Our Life for their 30th wedding anniversary, and had their church’s handbell choir premiere it when they renewed their vows.
Fun abounds in this piece, as it describes parts of their story. For instance:
- The introductory melody is both thirty beats long and thirty notes long (not counting ties), and it also has three tenuti (three ten.’s = 30!).
- Three children are represented as the lines in a three-voice fugue. This fugal melody also appears in the last section as a countermelody.
- There’s a bit of theory geek stuff in the final chord sequences:
– In bars 87 and 88: VII + vi + VII + VII + ii + I = 30
– In bars 89 and 90: ii * iii * V * I = 30
– In bars 91 and 92 (not counting the suspended 4th): VI * V * I = 30
While this piece was written for a very special occasion, your ensemble will enjoy playing it because of the joy and challenge it displays!
For 5 octaves of handbells and 3 octaves of handchimes
Level 4
Preview:
| Single Copy Version: | $5.00 US | |
| Handbell Choir Version: | $25.00 US |
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.
