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 …
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.
Jacob’s Ladder (JACOB’S LADDER) – Eight handbells
Jacob, the father of the Israelites, had a vision of angels ascending and descending a ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis 28). This vision is remembered in the hymn Jacob’s Ladder, where the believer celebrates the spiritual life as an ever-upward journey toward God. We are climbing Jacob’s ladder, We are climbing Jacob’s ladder, We are …
In Babilone – Eight handbells
In Babilone is a traditional eighteenth-century Dutch hymn. It’s paired with various texts, one of which is There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy. There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea. There’s a kindness in God’s justice, which is more than liberty. There is welcome for the sinner, and more graces …
Now the Green Blade Riseth – Eight handbells
This arrangement is dual-purpose – it can be played for Christmas or Easter! So… if you already have our eight-bell version of “Sing We Now of Christmas”, you don’t need to buy it again! Now the green blade rises from the buried grain, Wheat that in the dark earth many years has lain; Love lives …
Eight-Bell Collections
What’s better than buying a bunch of eight-bell scores from Choraegus? Buying an eight-bell collection from Choraegus, of course! The reason is that the collection is priced so you get one piece for free. Now, we admit that you’d usually want to be able to use all of them – but if there’s a piece …
Eight-Bell Hymns (General)
We’ve arranged at least 100 hymns for eight bells. Many of them have both “standard” and “Surprisingly Easy”™ versions as well. That means you can almost certainly find something that will work for you (if you don’t find something but have a suggestion, you’re welcome to tell us via our contact page). Our list of …
I Saw Three Ships – Eight handbells
I Saw Three Ships is an English Christmas carol that, traditionally, speaks of the story of the ships which delivered the relics of the Magi to Cologne Cathedral in the 12th century. I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day; I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day …
Still, Still, Still (AUSTRIAN CAROL) – Eight handbells
The Christmas lullaby Still, Still, Still us that the Christ Child sleeps, and that He sleeps under the watchful eyes of the angels of heaven. Still, still, still, One can hear the falling snow. For all is hushed, The world is sleeping, Holy Star its vigil keeping. Still, still, still, One can hear the falling …
Amazing Grace (AMAZING GRACE) – Eight handbells
Amazing Grace is one of the best-known hymns of all time. John Newton wrote it in the eighteenth century, and from then till today it still brings forth the message of soul saved and life changed. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am …
