Johann Franck wrote I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say in the 17th century. The music for his hymn is unusual, because it has a minor key verse and major key refrain. The contrast reflects on how the difficulties of life (minor key) are answered by the love of the Savior (major key). Our two-octave …
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,
Jun 17
How Great Thou Art (O STORE GUD) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)
Worshipers love the grandness of the Swedish hymn How Great Thou Art by Carl Gustav Boberg. English-speaking congregants have had the joy of singing it because of Stuart Hine’s translation work. Here’s our two-octave arrangement of this famous hymn. O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder Consider all the works Thy hand hath …
May 30
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (NETTLETON) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)
John Wyeth or Asahel Nettleton wrote the hymn tune NETTLETON back in 1813, and the message of the lyrics that are set to it continue to comfort and inspire Christians today. We have a new two-octave arrangement of Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing that’s a very accessible Level 2+. We hope you enjoy playing …
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (NETTLETON) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)
John Wyeth or Asahel Nettleton wrote the lovely hymn tune NETTLETON back in 1813, and the message of the text Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing that are set to it continues to comfort and inspire Christians today. Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; Streams of mercy, never …
May 09
My Faith Has Found a Resting Place (LANDÅS) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)
My Faith Has Found a Resting Place elegantly states the key truth of salvation: It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.” No effort on our part will make a difference either way, because all we need to do is put our trust in Him. Our new arrangement for just two …
My Faith Has Found a Resting Place (LANDÅS) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)
My Faith Has Found a Resting Place elegantly states the key truth of salvation: It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.” No effort on our part will make a difference either way, because all we need to do is put our trust in Him. My faith has found a resting …
Apr 24
Banana Passacaglia (handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 4)
One day on Facebook, a post appeared: Replace one word in the title with “banana.” What’s your favorite handbell piece? With one reply being: Banana Passacaglia And then: I would like for Larry Sue to get to work on this immediately. So, to make a not-so-long story short, it took a couple of days to …
Banana Passacaglia (handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 4)
One day on Facebook, a post appeared: Replace one word in the title with “banana.” What’s your favorite handbell piece? With one reply being: Banana Passacaglia And then: I would like for Larry Sue to get to work on this immediately. So, to make a not-so-long story short, it took a couple of days to …
Apr 19
Now Thank We All Our God (NUN DANKET) (Handbells, two octaves, Level 3-)
In the U.S., Now Thank We All Our God is one of the hymns that makes an annual appearance in November (because of the national Thanksgiving holiday, of course)… but it really can (should?) be played all year round! Today, we have a new arrangement of this hymn for two octaves of handbells! “Now thank …
Now Thank We All Our God (NUN DANKET) (Handbells, two octaves, Level 3-)
In the U.S., Now Thank We All Our God is one of the hymns that makes an annual appearance in November (because of the national Thanksgiving holiday, of course)… but it really can (should?) be played all year round! “Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things has …
