We’ve just released our arrangement of “Wrong Foot Forward”, a new generation Irish jig by Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen of the band Flook. It’s on their album “Haven” – and it’s a lot of fun! You might ask yourself why Brian and Sarah chose this title. Well… there are two kinds of Irish jigs. …
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,
Jul 19
And Here’s Some New Twelve-Bell Music!
We’ve just added seven new twelve-handbell arrangements to our catalog! You can play these as anything between a four-in-hand trio to a sextet of ringers with two bells each. And they’re fun, because they’re a bit challenging (well, okay, some of them are just plain challenging!) – but if you practice, you’ll find they have …
Jun 25
Yay! A new collection!
We’ve been excited that our handbell musician friends have liked our “Surprisingly Easy”™ music, especially the collections. We’ve heard lots of stories of how our arrangements have found a home with duets, trios, and quartets. We’ve also seen some really nice videos too! The news this week is that we’ve added a second “Surprisingly Easy”™ …
Jesus Shall Reign (DUKE STREET) – Eight handbells
Jesus is Lord, Son of God, King, Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, and many other titles given in the Bible. Those names ascribe him the infinite worth He possesses, and Jesus Shall Reign provides us a means to express them! Jesus shall reign where’er the sun does its successive journeys run, his kingdom stretch …
At the Cross (HUDSON) – Eight handbells
Isaac Watts wrote At the Cross about three centuries ago, and it still is a relevant statement of the Christian faith. This hymn is a reflection on Cbrist’s sacrifice for us. Alas, and did my Savior bleed And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I? At …
There is a Fountain – Twelve handbells
Christ’s giving Himself in sacrifice on our behalf has inspired tremendous emotion over the centuries. Sometimes the triumph of His resurrection comes through; other times it’s about how terrible His death had to be to provide the redemption that now is available to all who will believe. There is a Fountain has contemplative, thoughtful words: …
O Worship the King (LYONS) – Twelve handbells
The text O Worship the King has been matched with a number of melodies. This arrangement uses the LYONS hymn tune. O worship the King all-glorious above, O gratefully sing His power and his love: Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise. O tell of His might …
My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean – Twelve handbells
There’s some speculation that My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean came into being because of those who hoped that Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stuart) would one day return to the throne. On the other hand, if anyone asked, you could just claim that you were singing about your girlfriend (and keep yourself intact, of …
Morning Has Broken – Twelve handbells
The traditional Gaelic tune BUNESSAN is better known to most of us as the music to the popular hymn Morning Has Broken (popularized by Cat Stevens in the 1970s). Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of the hymn tune BUNESSAN provides an opportunity to play as a two-bells-each trio. Another possibility is to play as a duet …
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee – Twelve handbells
Beethoven wrote nine symphonies. He was an amazing composer, creating wonderful music during his later years even though he had gone deaf. One of his best known symphonic melodies in the choral world is the “Ode to Joy” from his final symphony, the tune for the hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee. Joyful, joyful, we …
