Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He seeks us when we stray, and guides us when we stay by His side. And one day, He will take us to be in His presence forever. Our twelve-bell arrangement will give your congregation an opportunity to reflect on these wonderful truths! My Shepherd will supply my need, Jehovah …
Tag: handbell ensemble
This composition is for handbell ensemble. The pitch range depends on the whim of the composer; there are pieces of this type for all ranges of handbells. The number of ringers can also vary quite a bit, but the general rule is that this number is smaller than that of a full-sized handbell choir.
Mar 03
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. …
Feb 24
Blest Be the Tie that Binds (DENNIS) – for sixteen handbells
The greatest blessing of Christian faith is our everlasting tie to God. With that comes an equally long-lived bond with other believers. The nineteenth-century hymn Blest Be the Tie that Binds speaks of this earthly bond which one day will be perpetuated in heaven. Our arrangement for sixteen handbells is relatively easy, and will work …
Jan 31
All Things Bright and Beautiful (ROYAL OAK) – for sixteen handbells
Cecil Frances Alexander wrote All Things Bright and Beautiful in 1849. The joyous text and its happy melody are perfectly matched! Here’s our new arrangement of the hymn tune ROYAL OAK for sixteen handbells. This score is available in C5-B6 and G4-F#6 versions; the latter can be played on a standard two-octave set of handbells. …
Jan 27
Take My Life and Let It Be (MESSIAH) – for twelve handbells
Hymnody, the body of hymns that we have and sing, often combines the same words with several different tunes. Sometimes we also match the same melody with different words – it can enrich our Christian musical experience. In this case, Louis Hérold wrote the hymn tune MESSIAH, which also works with the same words as …
Jan 24
How Can I Keep From Singing? – Twelve-Handbell Version
Christian joy depends only on God and His everlasting goodness. Because of that, believers have the power to rise above even the most troubling of times and circumstances. Here’s our twelve-bell arrangement of this hymn. No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and …
Dec 24
If you’d like to play and hear bells on Christmas Day – Secret Santa redux!
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day is a pre-Civil War song that sets a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to the tune WALTHAM by John Baptiste Calkin. The theme is “peace on earth, good will to men”, and the words reflect on how hopelessness will give way to glory. And on Christmas Day 2021, …
Nov 29
Jesus Paid It All (ALL TO CHRIST) – for eight handbells
The message of Jesus Paid It All goes far beyond the title. True enough, He gave Himself to pay the penalty of our sins, but the hymn text also intimates that we have an infinite debt to Him that goes along with receiving the free gift that He offers. Of course… it’s impossible to repay …
Nov 08
The Lord Bless You and Keep You (BENEDICTION) – for Sixteen-Handbells
Peter Lutkin composed this famous benediction in 1900. It’s a favorite farewell song at the Bay View Association, a Chautauqua institution located near Petoskey, Michigan. Our arrangement is written in the same key as the original, so your congregation or vocal ensemble can sing the SATB parts along with the handbells. The Lord bless you …
Nov 04
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken (AUSTRIAN HYMN) – for eight handbells
Here’s the grandiose hymn that also serves as the national anthem of Germany. It was composed by Haydn (possibly with a Croatian song as source material), and today it still inspires Christians around the world. We’ve added our “standard” arrangement for eight handbells to our repertoire! Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print …
