For epiphany, here’s one of our newest eight-bell arrangements. It’s of the Swiss Christmas carol Es ist für uns eine Zeit angekommen (“For unto us a time is come”). It’s a lively song of rejoicing at the Christ Child’s birth. Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies …
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.
Jan 01
Merry Eighth Day of Christmas!
The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came is a mysterious tune that’s just on the border between Advent and Christmas. We first arranged it for eight bells, and then during my recovery from shoulder surgery for six bells and piano. Here’s the video or the six-bell version! Purchasing this 6-bell arrangement gives you permission to print …
Dec 30
Merry Sixth Day of Christmas!
We went to a Holland Symphony Christmas concert a few years back, and enjoyed it very much. On the program was the Swedish carol Jul, Jul Strålande Jul (Christmas, Glorious Christmas), performed by soprano voice and orchestra. It was truly charming, and thoughtful, and just plain wintry, and so we worked out how to play …
Dec 28
Merry Fourth Day of Christmas!
We’ve had a wonderful time arranging Christmas carols. That’s not just the ones that we usually sing, but also going on the hunt for ones that are unfamiliar (to us). One day on Facebook, we saw that someone was asking about the Italian carol From Starry Skies Descending, we looked into it, and soon had …
On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry (eight handbells and piano)
On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry is sung to the 15th century hymn tune PUER NOBIS. It’s traditionally sung for Advent, but can be played for Easter as That Easter Day with Joy was Bright. Our piano-accompanied eight-handbell arrangement will work well with your small handbell ensemble (duet, trio, or quartet)! On Jordan’s bank the …
Dec 26
Merry Second Day of Christmas!
You’ve probably seen social media reminders that the twelve days of Christmas start on December 25th and continue through January 6th. Today, the second day of Christmas, is known as Boxing Day, from an era when the practice was for the more affluent to give gifts to those less fortunate, such as their house staff. …
Come Down, O Love Divine (DOWN AMPNEY)(eight handbells and piano) – Eight handbells
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 …
Nov 29
We Wish You a Merry Christmas – for eight handbells
If you’ve been around for even a short while, this English Christmas carol will be familiar to you. Do you remember going out in the cold (and if you’re in the right area, the snow), and then finishing your visit to each house by singing this song? Here’s our new arrangement of this carol for …
We Wish You a Merry Christmas – Eight handbells
If you’ve been around for even a short while, this English Christmas carol will be familiar to you. Do you remember going out in the cold (and if you’re in the right area, the snow), and then finishing your visit to each house by singing this song? We wish you a merry Christmas and a …
Nov 08
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (GOD REST YE MERRY) – for eight handbells and piano
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is an 18th century English carol that’s been a source of Christmas celebration for generations. Here’s our arrangement for eight handbells and piano – with a delightful and exciting metric twist! God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay; remember Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas Day to …
