If you’ve been going to church for a while, you or your children have probably sung (the translation of) this Swedish hymn. Here’s our arrangement for twelve handbells! Children of the heavenly Father Safely in His bosom gather; Nestling bird nor star in heaven Such a refuge e’er was given. Neither life nor death shall …
Tag: 12-bell
Compositions for twelve handbells are typically played by six ringers with two bells apiece, or by three four-in-hand ringers. It's possible to play with other numbers of ringers by creating a suitable division of the twelve bells.
Twelve-bell pieces traditionally used white key bells from C5-G6; complementarily, many sets of handbells in the UK have precisely those notes, often with an added F#5, Bb5, F#6, or A6.
With the availability of more fully chromatic handbell sets, twelve-bell music is now being written in many key signatures.
Jun 09
I Saw Three Ships – for twelve handbells
I Saw Three Ships is an English carol that dates back to the seventeenth or eighteenth century. Some people think that the “three ships” were the camels (aka “ships of the desert”) that the Magi rode on their way from the east to Bethlehem. Whether or not this is the reference made by the text, …
I Saw Three Ships – Twelve handbells
I Saw Three Ships is an English Christmas carol that, traditionally, speaks of the story of the ships which delivered the relics of the Magi to Cologne Cathedral in the 12th century. I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day; I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day …
Jun 06
From Starry Skies Descending – for twelve handbells
The Italian carol Tu scendi dalle stelle is lovely, though perhaps less familiar to Americans than others. Our new twelve-bell arrangement will bring a new bit of joy to your holiday services and celebrations. Our new arrangement of this Christmas song for twelve handbells has versions in Bb major (C5-G5) and C major (D5-A6), so …
From Starry Skies Descending – Twelve handbells
The Italian carol Tu scendi dalle stelle is lovely, though perhaps less familiar to Americans than others. This arrangement will bring new joy to your holiday services and celebrations. Tu scendi dalle stelle, O Re del Cielo, e vieni in una grotta, al freddo al gelo. O Bambino mio Divino Io ti vedo qui a …
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (RESIGNATION) – Twelve handbells
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He seeks us when we stray, and guides us when we stay by His side. And one day, He will take us to be in His presence forever. Our twelve-bell arrangement will give your congregation an opportunity to reflect on these wonderful truths! My Shepherd will supply my need, Jehovah …
Mar 14
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (RESIGNATION) – for twelve handbells
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He seeks us when we stray, and guides us when we stay by His side. And one day, He will take us to be in His presence forever. Our twelve-bell arrangement will give your congregation an opportunity to reflect on these wonderful truths! My Shepherd will supply my need, Jehovah …
Take My Life and Let It Be (MESSIAH) – Twelve handbells
Hymnody, the body of hymns that we have and sing, often combines the same words with several different tunes. Sometimes we also match the same melody with different words – it can enrich our Christian musical experience. In this case, Louis Hérold wrote the hymn tune MESSIAH, which also works with the same words as …
Jan 27
Take My Life and Let It Be (MESSIAH) – for twelve handbells
Hymnody, the body of hymns that we have and sing, often combines the same words with several different tunes. Sometimes we also match the same melody with different words – it can enrich our Christian musical experience. In this case, Louis Hérold wrote the hymn tune MESSIAH, which also works with the same words as …
Jan 24
How Can I Keep From Singing? – Twelve-Handbell Version
Christian joy depends only on God and His everlasting goodness. Because of that, believers have the power to rise above even the most troubling of times and circumstances. Here’s our twelve-bell arrangement of this hymn. No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and …
