It’s not too late to add one more piece to your eight-bell Christmas repertoire! This time we have something different: A handbells-and-keyboard collaboration on Ding Dong, Merrily on High. There are both piano and organ accompaniments available, and we’re sure you’ll enjoy them!
Tag: 8-bell
Starting in 2012, we (Larry and Carla Sue) developed a large repertoire of music for eight handbells which we perform as four-in-hand duets. These pieces ranged from fairly simple to maniacally difficult, and eventually led to the creation of their “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell arrangements so that there would be more options for the ringing world at large.
As eight-bell repertoire works well with a two-in-hand quartet (two bells each) or a four-in-hand duo, or with a trio where the bells are divided 4-2-2 or 3-3-2. We've even seen one instance of playing eight-bell music with eight ringers with one bell apiece, a la Sacred Harp.
Ding Dong, Merrily on High – Eight handbells
The sixteenth-century English tune Ding Dong, Merrily on High is quite popular at Christmas. It reflects the joy of the season, and invites us to share in the joy of heaven at the birth of the Son of God. Ding dong merrily on high, In heav’n the bells are ringing: Ding dong! verily the sky …
Ding Dong, Merrily on High – Eight Handbells with Organ or Piano, plus optional flute
The sixteenth-century English tune Ding Dong, Merrily on High is quite popular at Christmas. It reflects the joy of the season, and invites us to share in the joy of heaven at the birth of the Son of God. Here we have a team effort between eight handbells and a keyboard instrument (piano or organ). …
Larry and Carla’s Eight-Bell Christmas Collection
We’ve noticed that our friends have been enjoying our “Surprisingly Easy”™ Christmas collections, and thought that it would be fun to create a “Standard” Christmas collection for those of you who are more adventurous. The seven arrangements in this collection are more challenging than their “Surprisingly Easy”™ counterparts, so you’ll have more fun. You’ll need …
Aug 27
Wedding Music!
Bells are for weddings! We’ve just released three classical pieces which are wonderful wedding ceremony repertoire: “Air” From Handel’s Water Music Suite in F Major Bourée from Handel’s Water Music Suite in D Major Mouret’s Rondeau, known to many as the music from “Masterpiece Theater” Of course, they also are well-suited to a church service …
Aug 09
Barney
No… not the purple dinosaur! It’s been more than a month since the last post, so bringing out a new piece of music is way-y-y overdue. The new eight-bell piece is the Irish jig Barney Brannigan. It’s a lively, bouncy slip jig that’ll have you dancing even as you’re ringing it!
Jul 03
Children of the Heavenly Father
We have a new eight-bell arrangement, Children of the Heavenly Father. As far as our eight-handbell pieces go, this one is on the easier side – but it’s still fun to play and hear. We hope you’ll give it a try!
Beethoven – Ode to Joy – Eight handbells
Beethoven wrote nine symphonies. He was an amazing composer, creating wonderful music during his later years even though he had gone deaf. One of his best known symphonic melodies in the choral world is the “Ode to Joy” from his final symphony, the tune for the hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee. Joyful, joyful, we …
Handel – Air from Water Music Suite in F Major (HWV 348) – Eight handbells
G.F. Handel spent some years in England, and at one point wrote music for King George I that was to be played not just at, but on (a barge on) the River Thames. He create three such suites of music, and many of the pieces therefrom are played today frequently. Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: …
Handel – Bourée from Water Music Suite in D Major (HWV 349) – Eight handbells
G.F. Handel spent some years in England, and at one point wrote music for King George I that was to be played not just at, but on (a barge on) the River Thames. He create three such suites of music, and many of the pieces therefrom are played today frequently. Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: …
