We’ve just posted two new eight-bell arrangments! “O Sacred Head” – the well-known Crucifixion hymn is here, and just in time for you to be learn it for your Good Friday service! “Kingsfold” (aka “Oh, Sing a Song of Bethlehem”) is a fairly easy hymn arrangement that would be great for your season-end concerts (or …
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.
Kingsfold (KINGSFOLD) – Eight handbells
The English tune KINGSFOLD has been matched with many hymn texts. Its solemn/meditative feel lends itself well to thoughts of great depth. One such text is O Sing A Song of Bethlehem; the metrical index search link below provides a way to identify other lyrics matched with the tune. O sing a song of Bethlehem, …
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (HERZLICH TUT MICH VERLANGEN) – Eight handbells
Few hymns have had a more enduring effect on the Church than the Crucifixion remembrance, O Sacred Head, Now Wounded. O sacred head, now wounded with grief and shame weighed down, Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, your only crown. O sacred head, what glory and blessing you have known! Yet, though despised and gory, I …
By the Light of the Silvery Moon – Eight handbells
By the Light of the Silvery Moon, he classic song by Gus Edwards and Edward Madden from 1909 (yes, that far back!) comes to life in this happy, bouncy eight-bell arrangement. You’ll have loads of fun playing it! Place park, scene dark, silvery moon is shining through the trees; Cast two, me, you, sound of …
Feb 03
Our Second “Surprisingly Easy” Collection
We have a new “Surprisingly Easy” collection in our catalog! For lack of a more flamboyant title, it’s called the “Surprisingly Easy Eight-Bell Collection (The Second One). Most of the selections therein are from the United Kingdom, and Waltzing Matilda fills out the set nicely. We hope you take a look at the videos, and …
Larry and Carla’s “Surprisingly Easy”™ Eight-Bell Collection
Welcome to our second collection of easy eight-bell pieces! Most of this music came into being because of Queen Elizabeth II’s 2012 Jubilee Celebration of her reigning for 60 years, and Carla and our friend Meg played them in a number of places to celebrate the occasion. Here’s what this collection contains: Rule, Brittania! Danny …
See, Amid the Winter’s Snow (HUMILITY) – Eight handbells
See, Amid the Winter’s Snow is a beautiful English carol, music composed by Sir John Goss. See amid the winter’s snow, Born for us on earth below, See, the gentle Lamb appears, Promised from eternal years. Hail that ever blessed morn, Hail redemption’s happy dawn, Sing through all Jerusalem: Christ is born in Bethlehem. Say, …
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (INFANT HOLY, INFANT LOWLY) – Eight handbells
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly is a reflection on the wonder of the Christ Child in the manger – it’s the mystery of God coming to live among us on earth. Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels …
Whence is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing? (QUELLE EST CETTE ODEUR) – Eight handbells
QUELLE EST CETTE ODEUR AGREABLE (what is that fragrance?)is a pretty French carol describing the wonder of Christ’s coming to Earth – think of the wonderful scent of a special incense wafting through the air you’re breathing; it’s a representation of all the great and good things – especially salvation – that Jesus came to …
Danny Boy – Eight handbells
Here’s our eight-bell arrangement of the more-than-well-known Danny Boy (set to the Irish tune “Londonderry Air” by Frederic Weatherly in 1910), written for Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee, the celebration of the 60th anniversary of her ascension to the throne. Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen to glen, and down the …
