I fell in love with Mahler’s symphonies a long time ago. They’re gigantic works which stretch the limits (so far…) of how musical expression can be built. As of the twentieth century, they represent the pinnacle of orchestral composing. Mahler’s first symphony is about an hour in length (around three times the length of Mozart’s …
Tag: handbells
Handbells were invented in 17-century England as a practice tool for tower bell ringers. They could then rehearse in warmer and cheerier places than belfries - to wit, the local pubs. At some point, someone noticed that it was possible to play tunes (rather than just "changes") on handbells, and so "tune ringing" began. The music available from Choraegus followed the tune ringing tradition as practiced and performed in the modern era,
Mahler Swing (Handbells, 5-8 octaves, plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 5)
I fell in love with Mahler’s symphonies a long time ago. They’re gigantic works which stretch the limits (so far…) of how musical expression can be built. As of the twentieth century, they represent the pinnacle of orchestral composing. Mahler’s first symphony is about an hour in length (around three times the length of Mozart’s …
Nov 27
Ding Dong, Merrily on High – for eight handbells
The sixteenth-century English tune Ding Dong, Merrily on High is quite popular at Christmas. It reflects the joy of the season, and invites us to share in the joy of heaven at the birth of the Son of God. Here’s our eight-bell arrangement – enjoy! Ding dong merrily on high, In heav’n the bells are …
Nov 16
Angels We Have Heard on High (GLORIA) (Handbells, 3 octaves, Level 2-)
Angels We Have Heard on High is based on the nineteenth-century French song Les Anges dans nos Campagnes and is traditionally sung to the hymn tune GLORIA. The lyric tells us of how the angels came from heaven to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. Our three-octave handbell arrangement is a very accessible Level …
Nov 13
And now, a second eight-bell version of “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”!
We’ve had an eight-bell version of It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (hymn tune CAROL – the one most frequently heard in the USA) for over ten years. It’s one of my personal favorites; however, it does provide a bit of a challenge to the ringers. So… we’ve just published a second, somewhat less difficult, …
Nov 08
O Come, O Come Emmanuel for eight handbells – now in E minor!
Our eight-bell arrangements are generally written for the note ranges G5-G6 and F5-F6 and sold as “Dual-Range” score packages. However, these don’t always work smoothly if you want to sing with them, because the melody notes might fall out of a comfortable congregational range. This is true of our eight-bell O Come, O Come Emmanuel, …
Nov 07
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing (MENDELSSOHN) (Sixteen Handbells)
Christmas is a time for angels, who received the very special musical assignment of singing about the birth of the Messiah. Our new 16-bell arrangement will add to your celebration! Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, …
Nov 01
O Come, All Ye Faithful – eight handbells, and free!
The celebration of Christmas centers on the promise that God is always working toward His ultimate triumph. O Come, All Ye Faithful draws us not just to the manger, but to the everlasting future of Christ’s kingdom. There are three transpositions included in this free score package: G5-based, F5-based, and a D5-based version that matches …
O Come, All Ye Faithful
The celebration of Christmas centers on the promise that God is always working toward His ultimate triumph. O Come, All Ye Faithful draws us not just to the manger, but to the everlasting future of Christ’s kingdom. There are three transpositions included in this free score package: G5-based, F5-based, and a D5-based version that matches …
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing (MENDELSSOHN) – Sixteen handbells
Christmas is a time for angels, who received the very special musical assignment of singing about the birth of the Messiah. This 16-bell arrangement will add to your celebration! Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join …
