We promised a video of our sixteen-bell arrangement of the Christmas carol “Ding Dong, Merrily on High”, and here it is! We hope you enjoy it!
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,
Dorico project template
If you haven’t seen the news (as of August 2024), the FinaleMusic team has decided to sunset their music notation application. Don’t worry, it’ll work properly for a while yet; they just aren’t going to make more updates, and at some point will also end tech support. As I write this, a rather mad panic …
How to make a Dorico BUC
Long ago, Finale didn’t have a plugin for generating a BUC (Bells Used Chart, also HUC = Handbells Used Chart). That meant we quasi-prehistoric users typically made a spreadsheet on which to track the bells in the score and built the BUC by hand. Then along came Our Hero, Tobias Giesen, Finale software wizard. He …
Dorico
The projected end of Finale has caused many of us to contemplate switching to Dorico. Here are a few freebies that you might find helpful.
Aug 30
The Star-Spangled Banner – Twelve handbells
Francis Scott Key wrote the words for “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 1814 after seeing the American flag raised over Fort McHenry in celebration of victory. The modern rendition (most often at patriotic and sports events, with biennial playings at the Olympics) usually consists of just Key’s first verse. All four of his verses, as kept …
The Star-Spangled Banner – Twelve handbells
Francis Scott Key wrote the words for “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 1814 after seeing the American flag raised over Fort McHenry in celebration of victory. The modern rendition (most often at patriotic and sports events, with biennial playings at the Olympics) usually consists of just Key’s first verse. All four of his verses, as kept …
Aug 19
Hark! the Glad Sound – Twelve handbells
The hymn Hark! the Glad Sound, arranged for twelve handbells, anticipates the Savior’s coming. It speaks of the triumphant kingdom He will establish, and is suitable for Advent or Palm Sunday. Hark, the glad sound! The Savior comes, the Savior promised long! Let every heart prepare a throne, and every voice a song. He comes …
Hark! the Glad Sound (CHESTERFIELD) – Twelve handbells
The hymn Hark! the Glad Sound, arranged for twelve handbells, anticipates the Savior’s coming. It speaks of the triumphant kingdom He will establish, and is suitable for Advent or Palm Sunday. Hark, the glad sound! The Savior comes, the Savior promised long! Let every heart prepare a throne, and every voice a song. He comes …
Aug 17
It only seemed quiet this week!
I apologize for the apparent lack of activity at Choraegus this past week! The real-life picture involved more than just sitting around; we participated in the Bay View Week of Handbells. BVWOH happens in the first half of August each year in Petoskey, Michigan. The “Bay View” part comes from the Bay View Association, a …
Nocturne (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, plus handchimes, 3 octaves, Level 2+)
Nocturne is an original work for three or five octaves of handbells (and three octaves of handchimes). I composed it as an entry in a composition contest, with the conditions being that it had to be Level 2 or 3, and be less than 4’30” in duration. I think you’ll like – or maybe love! …
