Our faith stands because of the Jesus Christ, our Foundation. Nothing can undermine or shake that bedrock on which our eternity relies! We have two “standard” eight-bell arrangements of How Firm a Foundation. Version 1 has plenty of exciting sixteenth-note trimmings, while version 2 works well when you have a bit less preparation time. You …
Tag: hymn
Hymns are the musical substance of the traditional church. They typically have high doctrinal content with classical/choral music. Many of the older (up to the 20th century) were written with four choral parts for choirs to sing.
Modern hymnals go beyond this definition, however, because continuing history provides more and more choices of music for worship. New hymnals include more international and contemporary songs as well. This is in keeping with the definition "hymn: a religious song or poem of praise to God".
Apr 23
I Stand Amazed (MY SAVIOR’S LOVE) – for eight handbells
This was one of my favorite congregational hymns when I was a teenager. The trend today is to sing this beloved hymn in a quiet, meditative style – but in past decades, it was more of a marching song for the Church – and our new eight-bell arrangement is written with that in mind! I …
I Stand Amazed (MY SAVIOR’S LOVE) – Eight handbells
I Stand Amazed was one of my favorite congregational hymns when I was a teenager. The trend today is to sing this beloved hymn in a quiet, meditative style – but in past decades, it was more of a marching song for the Church – and this arrangement is written with that in mind! I …
Apr 09
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (HAMBURG) – for eight handbells
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross is a meditation on the Son of God who gave His life for us. Isaac Watts wrote this hymn which continues to draw us to the Savior. Here’s our new eight-bell arrangement for Holy Week. When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my …
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (HAMBURG) – Eight handbells
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross is a meditation on the Son of God who gave His life for us. Isaac Watts wrote this hymn which continues to draw us to the Savior. “When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour …
Apr 02
My Song is Love Unknown (RHOSYMEDRE) – for eight handbells
The tune for this hymn, RHOSYMEDRE, is named for the village where John D. Edwards, the composer, served as vicar for the last twelve years of his life. Here’s our new eight-bell arrangement of this melody. My song is love unknown, my Savior’s love to me; love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely …
My Song is Love Unknown (RHOSYMEDRE) – Eight handbells
The tune for this hymn, RHOSYMEDRE, is named for the village where John D. Edwards, the composer, served as vicar for the last twelve years of his life. My song is love unknown, my Savior’s love to me; love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be. O who am I, that for my …
Mar 26
Go to Dark Gethsemane – for eight handbells
The hymn tune REDHEAD NO. 76 seems unusual; its background is that the composer, Richard Redhead, published a book of hymns in the nineteenth century. Learning this made it all clear for me! This is one of our easier “standard” arrangements, and we know it will be a welcome addition to your small ensemble repertoire …
Go to Dark Gethsemane (REDHEAD NO. 76) – Eight handbells
Richard Redhead was a vocalist and an organist in Sussex in the nineteenth century. He also spent a career building the next generation of church musicians. In the nineteenth century, he published a book of hymns, and the tune name of this arrangement includes his surname. Go to dark Gethsemane, / You who feel the …
Mar 19
Song of Hope/Canto de esperanza (ARGENTINA, for eight handbells)
One of the teens at our church asked if we could make an arrangement of this lively Argentine melody for eight bells. Here’s the result!
