An original short work, this processional was written specially for the 2014 Texas Conference Choir Clinic at the Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine, Texas. It’s easy to memorize, and can be an effective part of your worship service! Purchase allows you to make the copies you need for your ringers to learn Processional. Handbells …
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.
LDZ Arrangements – Funeral Tango – Bass handbell ensemble
Apocryphal story behind Funeral Tango: Chopin, bored of hanging out with George Sand in Europe, decided to take a vacation to the then-young United States of America. He visited the Midwest, notably St. Louis, MO, and after that took a side trip to South America… and so we have the Funeral Tango. It’s all of …
LDZ Arrangements – Outta My Way Blues – Bass handbell ensemble
Welcome to what probably is one of the strangest handbell pieces in existence. The Outta My Way Blues is scored for seven or eight ringers, four of whom must be clarinetists (don’t worry, there are C insrument parts in case you’d rather play with this four oboes…). But… here’s the video, so you can see …
Tico tico no fubá (Handbells, 5-7 octaves plus handchimes, 3 octaves, Level 5+)
Tico tico no fubá is a truly exciting Brazilian piece written by Zequinha de Abreu. You’ll dance to this arrangement… but remember that you have bells to play too! 🙂 We also have some terrific percussion parts, created by Alex Guebert, for guiro, maracas, cabasa, tamborim, and claves! Handbells (five, six, or seven octaves) plus …
A Snail’s Pace (Handbells, 5-8 octaves plus handchimes, 5 octaves, Level 5+)
A Snail’s Pace, written with a plush orange-pink-and-purple snail in mind, this original laid-back jazz piece will challenge you even as you relax into its feel! Handbells, 5-8 octaves plus handchimes, 5 octaves Level 5+ Preview: Individual copy: $ US Handbell choir: $ US Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to …
LDZ Arrangements – Yes, We Have No Bananas – Bass handbell ensemble
Yes, We Have No Bananas, by Frank Silver and Irving Cohn, was rumored to have been an amalgamation of quotes from other tunes. For instance, the first four notes of the melody match the Hallelujah Chorus, the next bit is “oh, bring back my bonnie to me”, and there apparently is a rather chromatic piece …
Feb 13
Lenten Piece
Need an easy handbell piece for Lent? “Meditation” (formerly “Lenten Piece”) should fill the bill! It’s HMA Level 2+. Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase …
LDZ Arrangements – By the Light of the Silvery Moon – Bass handbell ensemble
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 …
LDZ Arrangements – Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen – Bass handbell ensemble
Negro spirituals are a vibrant and poignant expression of faith from over a century ago. This one speaks of complete reliance on a Savior who cares and comforts even in the most difficult of circumstances. Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen / Nobody knows but Jesus Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen / Glory, Hallelujah …
Low Ding Zone (Bass Handbell Ensemble) Music
At a Bay Bells (Cupertino, California) rehearsal in late 2005, I noticed that we had a team of five bass ringers that was really solid, and asked them, “What if we formed a bass handbell ensemble?” Everyone (Lisa, Kevin, Gretchen, Wil, and me) thought it would be a cool idea, so we put things together …
