The English tune KINGSFOLD has been matched with many hymn texts. Its solemn/meditative feel lends itself well to thoughts of great depth. One such text is O Sing A Song of Bethlehem; the metrical index search link below provides a way to identify other lyrics matched with the tune. O sing a song of Bethlehem, …
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,
Let All Things Now Living (ASH GROVE) (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 3)
The Welsh tune ASH GROVE is most frequently associated with the text Let All Things Now Living. It can be used as service music throughout the year, but for some has a favorite place on World Communion Sunday and at Thanksgiving. Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving to God the Creator triumphantly …
Jun 06
Friskin’ the Whiskers
Jazz great Cab Calloway had an expression “friskin’ the whiskers”. It’s a reference to the idea of “just gettin’ started”, and is draws a picture of a highly-skilled performer who starts on his set by smoothing his mustache. “Okay, now I’m ready to play.” Friskin’ the Whiskers, a new Level 5 work for five to …
Jun 04
New music for handbell choirs!
I’ve embarked on a project to create new music for the more normal handbell choir (don’t worry, I’ll keep writing music for eight and twelve bells!). The big difference is that this new music will be AGEHR Level 2-3+ so that it’s withing the grasp of the vast majority of bell choirs. Most of it, …
Jun 01
A Little Bird Sang to Me…
We’re getting more music out so that you can play it. Klein vogelijn is a Dutch song about a little bird singing in a tree, sharing its God-given gift of music with the world around it. We hope you’ll enjoy playing it!
May 09
Botany Bay
Sorry, no… we’re not taking a trip to Australia at the moment (we’d love to, one day). But we do have some music that’s played in Australia. Today’s new release is Botany Bay, a song that refers to the penal colony Down Under by that name (you might also remember something from one of the …
May 02
Morning Song
We had the privilege of playing the opening concert at an event sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America’s Area 5 on Mackinac Island in April 2018. It was an opportunity for us to get to know and to share with our fellow handbell musicians from the northern Midwest Our arrangement of MORNING SONG was one …
Apr 17
Need to play for someone’s birthday?
We recorded our eight-bell arrangement of Happy Birthday a few years ago, but realized that we hadn’t made it available for others to play. Since it’s only eight bars long and takes less than a minute to play, we’ve decided to make it free to anyone who would like to get it. Have fun!
Winter Dance (Handbells, 5 octaves plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 4)
Seiichi Kyoda composed this wonderful piece. His group Uttara-Kuru performed Winter Dance with a synthesis of traditional Japanese instruments (shakuhachi, koto, etc.) and electronica. The picture is of the citizens of a remote village celebrating life with a community dance. Handbells (5 octaves) plus handchimes (2 octaves) Level 4 Preview: Note: Here’s where you can …
Friskin’ the Whiskers (Handbells, 5-6 octaves plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 5)
Friskin’ the Whiskers is an original handbell composition for five or six octaves. The style is big band swing. It was commissioned by RiverBells of Sacramento, CA to celebrate twenty years of ringing. Handbells (five or six) octaves plus handchimes (2 octaves) Level 5. MP3: Preview: Individual copy: $ US Handbell choir: $ US Purchasing …
