Rhapsody in Blue, the iconic work by George Gershwin, entered the public domain as of 2020. So it’s time to arrange it for handbells! (Well, this was done some years back, but that version is long out of print.) While none of the sections of this arrangement are of an AGEHR Level higher than 5, …
Tag: 5+ octaves
The current production range of handbells is seven-and-a-half octaves (G1 through C9). It's an amount of equipment to which many groups aspire, though the cost of all those bells is a major hurdle to cross.
Music for more than five octaves of bells (and chimes) can be orchestral in feeling, but often requires some rather specialized skills on the part of those playing the highest or lowest bells.
Procession and Celebration (Handbells, 5-7 octaves, plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 5)
Shosh Meyer is a friend from Oregon who does marvelous things with the handbell program at St. Matthew Lutheran Church (Beaverton, Oregon). Her love for music in general and handbells in particular has inspired the many, many ringers who have been involved in her ministry. Erik, Julie, and Jan Tate were three of those blessed …
Apr 07
Newsflash! New cajón part for “Ye Jazzy Gentlemen”!
Our handbell choir arrangement Ye Jazzy Gentlemen has been crying out for the addition of a percussion part for a long time now, so we’ve (finally…) added one for cajón! Do take a look, and enjoy! MP3:
Home at Last (Handbells, 5 to 8 octaves, Level 4+)
I’ve written a number of choral pieces for Living Water, my choir at Valley Church of Cupertino, California, and looked through them to see whether any could be arranged for handbells. Home at Last, the fifty-fourth in the set, is about the blessed hope that Christians have in the promise that Jesus Christ will one …
Mu Süda Ärka Üles (Awake, My Heart) (handbells, 4-7 octaves plus handchimes, 3 octaves, and optional handbell duet, Level 3-)
We had the privilege of tagging along with Campanelli, an internationally-known Estonian handbell ensemble, for a week in 2017. This song, Mu Süda Ärka Üles (“Awake, My Heart”), was a high point for us because there was an eight-bell part added onto their full-choir arrangement by Susan T. Nelson. This is our eight-bell arrangement of …
Jul 09
A Minor Crash
No… we didn’t have a site problem. This is about an already-available piece for which we finally got a video. A Minor Crash is an original work for five to eight octaves of handbells (plus three octaves of optional chimes). Larry had the privilege of leading the Area 8 BronzeFest ensemble in its first-ever performance …
Jun 06
Friskin’ the Whiskers
Jazz great Cab Calloway had an expression “friskin’ the whiskers”. It’s a reference to the idea of “just gettin’ started”, and is draws a picture of a highly-skilled performer who starts on his set by smoothing his mustache. “Okay, now I’m ready to play.” Friskin’ the Whiskers, a new Level 5 work for five to …
Winter Dance (Handbells, 5 octaves plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 4)
Seiichi Kyoda composed this wonderful piece. His group Uttara-Kuru performed Winter Dance with a synthesis of traditional Japanese instruments (shakuhachi, koto, etc.) and electronica. The picture is of the citizens of a remote village celebrating life with a community dance. Handbells (5 octaves) plus handchimes (2 octaves) Level 4 Preview: Note: Here’s where you can …
Friskin’ the Whiskers (Handbells, 5-6 octaves plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 5)
Friskin’ the Whiskers is an original handbell composition for five or six octaves. The style is big band swing. It was commissioned by RiverBells of Sacramento, CA to celebrate twenty years of ringing. Handbells (five or six) octaves plus handchimes (2 octaves) Level 5. MP3: Preview: Individual copy: $ US Handbell choir: $ US Purchasing …
How to Purchase Music from Choraegus
It’s simple! Find each piece of music that you want to buy, and press the “Add to Cart” button to put it into your (electronic) shopping cart. Check the quantity of each piece you’re ordering to be sure you’re getting the correct number for your needs. For details, please see our Licensing Agreement. When you’ve …
