Yes, it’s pretty early to be thinking about Christmas shopping – but not about rehearsing for the holiday season! Most of the handbell directors (and choral directors, too) we know, start choosing their season’s music in August or September so they can focus on the music when everyone’s together. We’ve posted our first new Christmas …
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,
Off to California – Eight handbells
As we release this new arrangement of an Irish-American hornpipe, we’re celebrating two years together in the USA! This arrangement is sold as a “dual-range”™ PDF. Alternate Titles: Bound For California Fireman’s Reel The Humours Of California The Juggler The Portsmouth Hornipe The Whiskey Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ …
Eight-Bell Hornpipes
Hornpipes are songs from long-ago England and Ireland, originally played on wind instruments. They became popular, and are notably associated with sailors because they could be danced in the limited available space on ships. They’re usually in 4/4, with the eighth notes being swung. Many of them follow an AABA phrase pattern, which makes them …
Aug 11
A New Collection!
We’ve (finally!) put together our first collection of eight-bell hymns! It’s a set of eight arrangements that you can use throughout the year, so you can use it as the bulk of your small ensemble pieces for a whole season (adding in other pieces for Christmas, of course!) – or you can even play them …
The Final Crossing (Handbells, 3-6 octaves plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 3-)
Many believers have thought of the end of this life as the traversal of a river. “Crossing the Jordan”… “Gathering at the river that leads to the throne of God”… “Meeting on the other shore.” Imagine the clarion call for that final crossing, when those who will be blessed to follow its summons into the …
Take My Life and Let It Be (HENDON) – Eight handbells
Hymnody, the body of hymns that we have and sing, often combines the same words with several different tunes. Sometimes we also match the same melody with different words – it can enrich our Christian musical experience. In this case, César Malan wrote the hymn tune HENDON, which also works with the same words as …
Larry and Carla’s Eight-Bell Hymn Collection
Here’s our first eight-bell hymn collection! You can play them separately, or even use all eight as a concert program! Here’s what this collection contqins: Take My Life and Let It Be (HENDON) Kingsfold When Morning Gilds the Skies Just As I Am Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart Lucerna Laudoniae All the Way …
Ukrainian Bell Carol – Eight handbells
Ukrainian Bell Carol was first known as “Schedryk”/«Щедрик» when Mykola Leontovych wrote it in 1916. And then… in 1941, Peter Wilhousky wrote the lyrics entitled “Carol of the Bells”, the title under which credit is usually given in the United States. We present our arrangement of Leontovych’s composition under its “more original” title. We hope …
Hardiman the Fiddler – Eight handbells
We can see the fiddler having a great time leading the dancers ever faster and faster as the celebration goes on! Alternate Titles: (for some reason, there apparently aren’t any…) Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based practice track: $ US This arrangement is also included in Larry and …
Wrong Foot Forward – Eight handbells
We love the way this slip jig by Sarah Allen and Brian Finnegan of “Flook” plays! The challenge: It’s in 7/8 – you can imagine how it might confuse the dancers! Alternate Titles: (for some reason, there apparently aren’t any…) Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based practice track: …
