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 …
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,
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! …
Aug 05
A new video for “Meditation”!
Meditation, an original composition, has been in our catalog for some time. In case you haven’t gotten familiar with it, we have versions for 2-3 octaves and 3-5 octaves of handbells. Tintabulations Handbell Ensemble of Nevada made the handbell video which we have on our site. Carla wanted to know how Meditation would sound on …
Aug 02
Sleigh Ride (Mozart, Drei Deutsche Tänze, No. 3) – Sixteen handbells
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the exceptional musical geniuses of all time, started composing music when he was just four years old, and has had a lasting influence ever since then. He composed Drei Deutsche Tänze (“Three German Dances”) in 1791; the third dance in this suite bears the nickname “Sleigh Ride” (not to be …
Aug 01
Greet the Morning (Handbells, 3-5 octaves, plus handchimes, 1 octave, Level 3-)
Greet the Morning, an original work for three to five octaves of handbells, draws a picture of waiting for the sun to rise. The night vanishes gradually as the light of dawn overcomes the darkness. It increases in brightness until all of a sudden, the sun peeks over the horizon and starts the day. This …
Greet the Morning (Handbells, 3-5 octaves, plus handchimes, 1 octave, Level 3-)
Greet the Morning, an original work for three to five octaves of handbells, draws a picture of waiting for the sun to rise. The night vanishes gradually as the light of dawn overcomes the darkness. It increases in brightness until all of a sudden, the sun peeks over the horizon and starts the day. This …
