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 …
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.
Oct 10
We have a new flute part for our eight-bell Blessed Assurance!
Getting to work with talented musicians is a great privilege! We recently shared a concert with Gary and Martha Matthews, and decided to add a flute part to our accompanied arrangement of Blessed Assurance. You, of course, can play the original accompanied eight-bell score on its own, but adding the new flute part makes the …
List of International Music for Eight Handbells
Here’s a quick compilation of our international music for eight handbells. Each title is a link to the corresponding webpage. TITLE Standard “Surprisingly Easy”™ Accompaniment available In Collection Al de willen te kaap’ren varen x Alouette, Gentille Alouette x Auld Lang Syne x Aura Lee x Beautiful Dreamer x Botany Bay x By the Light …
While on the Sea (UKRAINE) – eight handbells and piano
We go through our life as if navigating a great ocean in a small boat. The waves are large, and threaten us continually. The water is unfathomably deep, and we fear what might happen if we were dumped into it. And so we pray to God for protection and safety, for He is our hope. …
List of Hymns for Eight Handbells
Here’s a quick compilation of our hymn scores for eight handbells. Each title is a link to the corresponding webpage. TITLE HYMN TUNE Standard “Surprisingly Easy”™ Accompaniment available In Collection A Mighty Fortress is Our God EIN FESTE BURG x x Easy Hymn 1 Abide with Me EVENTIDE x x Easy Hymn 4 Ah, Holy …
O Zion, Haste (TIDINGS) (eight handbells and piano)
The Great Commission has been given to the Church (figuratively, “Zion”). That responsibility is to share the love of Christ with the world so that all may be saved. In O Zion, Haste, the tune TIDINGS evokes images of this responsibility as spiritual marching orders. O Zion, haste, your mission high fulfilling, to tell to …
Count Your Blessings (BLESSINGS) (eight handbells and piano)
This joyous hymn about all the wonderful things God does for us has now been arranged for eight handbells and piano! It’s a relatively easy piece (for the bells, definitely, and not too difficult for the pianist) that’s fun to play. When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all …
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (ST. GEORGE’S WINDSOR) (eight handbells and piano)
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come is most often sung in the United States at Thanksgiving. It’s a harvest-is-over song that uses bringing the crop from the fields as an illustration of God bringing His saints home after they’ve completed their earthly responsibilities. This is our arrangement of this hymn for eight handbells and piano. Come, …
All Glory, Laud and Honor (ST. THEODULPH) – eight handbells and piano
One of the great Palm Sunday hymns is All Glory, Laud, and Honor. The text was written by St. Theodulph in the seventh century (!), and Melchior Teschner composed the tune we know about a millennium later. All glory, laud, and honor to You, Redeemer, King, To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas …
List of Dances for Eight Handbells
Here’s a quick compilation of our scores of jigs, hornpipes, and other dances for eight handbells. Each title is a link to the corresponding webpage. TITLE In Jig Collection Banish Misfortune x Barney Brannigan Calliope House Chloe’s Passion Funeral Tango Grizzly’s Peak Hardiman the Fiddler x Jim Ward’s Jig King of the Fairies Morrison’s Jig …