There’s a famous story about how a little boy found his way onto the great Ignacy Paderewski’s piano bench before a concert, and, oblivious to the audience, began playing Euphemia Allen’s world-famous 1877 hit Chopsticks. The ticket-holders in the seats were shocked, and angrily wanted the child removed. Paderewski, however, walked up behind the bench …
Tag: 3-5 octaves
With the passage of time, handbell choirs have grown in size and acquire more and more octaves of bells. Sets of three to five octaves are pretty typical as of the 21st century. Four-octave sets, strangely, are relatively uncommon.
Note that some pieces in the Choraegus catalog are for three or five octaves.
Feb 21
We have a new video for Rescue (for handbell choir, 3 to 7 octaves)!
We published Rescue, an original handbell piece for three to seven octaves, some time ago. Now we’ve made a new video! Rescue draws a picture of a bit of the composer’s own life story… but while the details aren’t shared here, perhaps you can think of a time when your own path was dark and …
Feb 14
Five (handbells, 3-5 octaves, Level 2+)
We’ve produced a new five-octave video of Five, our (Larry and Carla’s) fifth-anniversary handbell piece. It’s Level 2+, and you’ll have fun looking for all the “fives” written into the score! Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the …
Jesus, Lover of My Soul (ABERYSTWYTH) (Handbells, 3 to 5 octaves, Level 3)
Jesus loves us – that’s the glorious, plainly-stated truth of what matters in life and eternity. Here’s a handbell arrangement of Jesus, Lover of My Soul (hymn tune ABERYSTWYTH) that was married to Charles Wesley’s words: Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly, while the nearer waters roll, while the tempest …
Feb 10
Jesus, Lover of My Soul (ABERYSTWYTH)(Handbells, 3 to 5 octaves, Level 3)
This week, we have a new handbell arrangement of Jesus, Lover of My Soul, based on the hymn tune ABERYSTWYTH. This is normally a minor key melody, but in the second verse of the score it moves nicely into major key. We hope you enjoy playing it, and that your congregation is brought closer to …
Feb 03
Newness (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 1)
The Bible tells us to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). It’s all about the beauty and joy of a redeemed soul experiencing God’s love and guidance from day to day and minute to minute. This original piece depicts how that newness feels. We’ve had this original handbell work in Level 2/3 form for …
Jan 20
America the Beautiful (AMERICA/MATERNA) – Handbells, 3 to 5 octaves, Level 4
I think of America the Beautiful as a “wannabe national anthem”, because it says so much about what matters in the country where I live. Our Level 4 arrangement for three to five octaves of handbells will sparkle in your church service or patriotic gathering. O beautiful for spacious skies / For amber waves of …
America the Beautiful (AMERICA/MATERNA) (Handbells, 3 to 5 octaves, Level 4)
I think of America the Beautiful as a “wannabe national anthem”, because it says so much about what matters in the country where I live. This Level 4 arrangement for three to five octaves of handbells will sparkle in your church service or patriotic gathering. O beautiful for spacious skies / For amber waves of …
Jan 17
New “Newness” video!
We’ve continued to make videos of our works for handbell choir. Here’s a new five-octave version of Newness, an original work for three or five octaves of handbells, plus three octaves of handchimes. Newness can be played either as a Level 2 or a Level 3 piece. To play it as a Level 2 piece, …
Come Down, O Love Divine (DOWN AMPNEY) (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, plus handchimes, 3 octaves, Level 3-)
Come Down, O Love Divine is one of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ compositions. The lyric speaks of the believer’s need to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength through all of life. Come down, O Love divine; seek out this soul of mine, and visit it with Your own ardor glowing. O Comforter, draw …
