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!
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,
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: This is not the version …
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 …
O God, Above All Praising (THAXTED) – Eight handbells
Gustav Holst fitted his THAXTED melody to Cecil Spring-Rice’s patriotic/worship poem. This profound hymn is most often sung in England. The melody, also, is combined with the hymn O God, Above All Praising. I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above, entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love: the love …
Feb 13
Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose
We all go through difficult, unsettling circumstances from time to time. The hymn Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose is one of those reminders that God is in control, and that He can make sense of life when it seems scrambled. Here’s our new twelve-bell arrangement of this hymn!
ENGELBERG – Eight handbells
The hymn tune ENGELBERG has been used with several texts: All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine When in Our Music God is Glorified We Know that Christ is Raised No matter which one you’re singing, it’s an inspiring melody! Hymn tune: ENGELBERG Find metrically-matched hymn texts Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ …
Klein vogelijn (Little bird) – Eight handbells
The Dutch folk song Klein vogelijn is about little bird singing in a tree, and reminds us that God is responsible for creating the wonderful music that we hear. Klein vogelijn op groenen tak wat zingt g’ een lustig lied! Wij hebben in ons heele boek zoo’n vroolijk wijsje niet. O, zeg ons, zeg ons, …
Morning Song (MORNING SONG) – Eight handbells
One hymn text paired with the tune MORNING SONG is The King shall come when morning dawns. The King shall come when morning dawns and light triumphant breaks, when beauty gilds the eastern hills, and life to joy awakes. Not as of old a little child to bear, and fight, and die, but crowned with …
Jan 22
How Great Thou Art – Twelve Handbells
After a great Christmas season (and a very, very busy December), we’re heading into 2018 with lots of music. Today we’re leading off with our new twelve-bell arrangement of How Great Thou Art. We think you’ll enjoy playing it, and that your church families will love hearing it. It’s available in two versions, one for …
All Things Bright and Beautiful (ROYAL OAK) – Twelve handbells
Cecil Frances Alexander wrote All Things Bright and Beautiful in 1849. The joyous text and its happy melody are perfectly matched! All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all. Each little flow’r that opens, each little bird that sings, He made their …
