This is the oldest known Canadian carol. Gitchi Manitou is Algonquian for “Great Spirit”, the Native American name for God, and the lyrics tell the Christmas story as it might have told been near the Great Lakes. ‘Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel …
Tag: handbell choir
A handbell choir is an ensemble of handbell musicians, each of whom usually has a specific subset of the entire set of bells assigned to them. The group members play the entire score by their combined efforts via a unique type of teamwork where expression and musicality are dependent on the ensemble members fusing their efforts to form a greater whole.
The sets of handbells played by handbell choirs vary in size, usually stated as an integral number of octaves. For instance, a three-octave bell choir uses notes from C4 to C7, while a seven-octave choir plays C2-C9.
Handbell choirs also use additional instruments, the most notable being handchimes. Handchimes bring a different sound to the mix, and are used for effect and contrast. Other ancillary instruments include, flute, trumpet, clarinet, and percussion; of the percussion family, the cajón is perhaps one of the more popular recent additions.
Of the Father’s Love Begotten (handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, plus handchimes, 3 octaves, Level 3+)
The chant DIVINUM MYSTERIUM dates back to the thirteenth century; we now recognize it by the lyrics: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”. You can imagine how it would resonate in a stone monastery far off in the hills. Our arrangement starts with an optional statement of the original plainchant which can be played on bells, …
May 05
Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, plus handchimes, 3 octaves, Level 3+)
The plainchant DIVINUM MYSTERIUM has been around since the thirteenth century. Because it’s a chant, the metrical pattern of the melody is based on the syllabic structure of the text, making the phrases of variable length. This new arrangement, however, is in almost-5/4 (so, with a few 4/4 measures thrown in) – we think it’ll …
Apr 25
Squirrels (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 4)
Our garden has lots of large trees. With those trees come many lively, carefree squirrels. They’re a bit like the sparrows Jesus talked about – they don’t worry about things, because God provides for them. I think the Father above knows when even the smallest, cutest squirrel drops to the ground, too. This original piece …
Squirrels (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 4)
Our garden has lots of large trees. With those trees come many lively, carefree squirrels. They’re a bit like the sparrows Jesus talked about – they don’t worry about things, because God provides for them. I think the Father above knows when even the smallest, cutest squirrel drops to the ground, too. This original piece …
Apr 21
His Eye is on the Sparrow (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 4-)
Our Heavenly Father watches over us all the time. He cares about what happens to us. This song by Charles Gabriel (from 1905) has told Jesus’ words from Matthew 10:29-31 in a way that has touched hearts for over a century. Here’s our arrangement for three or five octaves of handbells. Purchasing the handbell choir …
His Eye is on the Sparrow (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 4-)
Our heritage of African-American spirituals is a rich one. Give Me Jesus is about how the most important thing in life – or death – is Jesus, our Lord and Savior. In the morning, when I rise, in the morning, when I rise, in the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus. Give me Jesus, …
Apr 18
Home at Last (Handbells, 5-8 octaves, Level 4+)
I wrote several dozen choral pieces for Living Water, my choir at Valley Church of Cupertino. It occurred to me that some of those songs might be reworked into handbell pieces. Home at Last is the first one to be arranged. Today we have a new video of the handbell arrangement to share with you! …
Apr 11
Forever (Handbells, 5-8 octaves, Level 5) – new video!
Forever was commissioned in 2012 by Dee Allaway and her family in memory of her father Walter Dennis Oliver. It’s a grand tribute to a man who brought music to his family as well as others around him. At least five octaves of handbells are necessary to play Forever. You’ll find that there are abundant …
Apr 04
New video for A Celebration of Our Life – for Handbells, 5 octaves, and handchimes, 3 octaves, Level 4
A California couple commissioned A Celebration of Our Life for their 30th wedding anniversary, and had their church’s handbell choir premiere it when they renewed their vows. We’re pleased to share our new video of this piece, and hope that you’ll have something to celebrate when you play it! Purchasing the handbell choir version of …
