This traditional English Christmas Sussex Carol is also known as “On Christmas Night All Christians Sing”. The arrangement we see in our hymnals is almost certainly the one written by Ralph Vaughan Williams… but the unharmonized tune is far older than that. On Christmas night all Christians sing To hear what news those angels bring; …
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,
Sep 26
Lo, How a Rose – “Surprisingly Easy”™ version for eight handbells
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming dates back to sixteenth-century Germany. Its lyric combines the image of Jesus Christ as the Rose of Sharon and the Root of Jesse, plus the traditional impression of celebrating Christmas in winter. It was translated to English by Theodore Baker in the nineteenth century. Our “standard” eight-bell arrangement of …
Sep 23
Still, Still, Still (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2)
The Christmas lullaby Still, Still, Still reminds us that the Christ Child sleeps, and that He sleeps under the watchful eyes of the angels of heaven. Our Level 2 arrangement for two octaves fits a smaller group if you find yourself short on Christmas Eve ringers, and can be prepared relatively quickly. Still, still, still, …
Sep 14
Bring Me Sunshine (Handbells, 3 octaves, Level 3)
Sylvia Dee and Arthur Kent wrote this happy, charming little song back in the 1960s. It sticks in your mind easily, and even influenced a generation of UK TV viewers on “Morecambe and Wise”. Our arrangement adds a cute descant line as well. Bring me sunshine / In your smile Bring me laughter / All …
Bring Me Sunshine (Handbells, 3 octaves, Level 3)
Sylvia Dee and Arthur Kent wrote this happy, charming little song back in the 1960s. It sticks in your mind easily, and even influenced a generation of UK TV viewers on “Morecambe and Wise”. Our arrangement adds a cute descant line as well. Bring me sunshine / In your smile Bring me laughter / All …
Adding a Selective Damp to Dorico
As of this writing, Dorico doesn’t have the handbell community’s selective damp symbol. However, there’s a way to add one. Thanks to Dan Kreider at Dorico for showing me how! How to Add a Selective Damp to Dorico
Sep 11
Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow (Handbells, 3/5 octaves, Level 3)
We have a new arrangement of the spiritual Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow for three or five octaves of handbells today! Your handbell choir will have a blast playing it; you can enhance the fun by adding a cajón to the mix! CALL RESPONSE Oh, there’s a star in the East on Christmas morn It …
Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow (Handbells, 3/5 octaves, Level 3)
Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow is an African-American Christmas spiritual. It’s about the message that drew the shepherds (well, at least one shepherd) to follow the Christmas star to find the Christ Child. The spiritual is a “call and response” song – one way it’s been done in many Black churches is to have the …
Sep 08
My Lord, What a Morning (BURLEIGH) – Sixteen handbells
The spiritual My Lord, What a Morning reflects on the glory and power of God. Although the lyrics have been explained in different ways, the conclusion remains the same: God still maintains control over the universe, and Christians have deep reasons for rejoicing in that fact. Our new arrangement for sixteen handbells will be a …
My Lord, What a Morning (BURLEIGH) – Sixteen handbells
The spiritual My Lord, What a Morning reflects on the glory and power of God. Although the lyrics have been explained in different ways, the conclusion remains the same: God still maintains control over the universe, and Christians have deep reasons for rejoicing in that fact. Refrain: My Lord, what a morning; My Lord, what …
