English Christmas carols often are lively and sparkly, and The Snow Lay on the Ground is no exception. The pairing of “venite adoremus Dominum” with the end of the melody reminds us that worship should be both a reverent and joyous experience. The snow lay on the ground, the stars shone bright, When Christ our …
Tag: Larry Sue
Larry Sue is the owner, composer/arranger, and publisher at Choraegus. He and his wife Carla are West Michigan's Smallest Handbell Ensemble.
Away in a Manger (CRADLE SONG) – Eight handbells
Away in a Manger is sung to several different tunes. One of these melodies is CRADLE SONG written by William Kirkpatrick at the end of the nineteenth century. This is the tune which is most commonly used in the United Kingdom. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid …
Tigress Rag (Handbells, 5-7 octaves, Level 5)
Tigress Rag, written in the style of Scott Joplin, was the Second Place Winner of the 2011 Bells of the Sound “All That Jazz” composition contest. The arrangement is for 5-7 octaves of handbells, and is dedicated to Larry’s wife Carla! We also have a version for pianists! Handbells (five, six, or seven octaves) Level …
O, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus (EBENEZER/TON-Y-BOTEL) – Eight handbells
O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus is sung to the hymn tune EBENEZER, which means “stone of help.” Jesus is the Rock of Ages, and our Eternal Rescuer; He is the One to whom we must turn for salvation. O the deep, deep love of Jesus! Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free, rolling as a mighty …
Beautiful Dreamer – Eight handbells
Stephen Foster’s classic tune Beautiful Dreamer comes to life in this 8-bell arrangement for two four-in-hand players (or a quartet of ringers with two bells apiece). This one is dedicated to our friend Meg. Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me, Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee; Sounds of the rude world heard in the day, …
Holy Manna (HOLY MANNA) – Eight handbells
The Southern Harmony hymn tune HOLY MANNA, often sung as Brethren, We Have Met to Worship or God, Who Set the Star-Spangled Heavens, here is set for eight handbells in the range C5-C7. We think of a sparkling stream where all of our cares are washed away by God’s love and care, and want to …
Eight-Bell Music
Handbell music requiring just eight bells – surprisingly, perhaps, can be exciting and expressive as well as remarkably challenging. Choraegus is proud to present pieces in this genre for your listening and performing enjoyment! Eight-bell music is more versatile than you might think! Here are some possible ways to play it: … as a two-bells-each …
Worship Teams
The following is from a series of articles I wrote for Living Water, the choir I directed at Valley Church (Cupertino, CA) from 1987-2003, and at First Presbyterian Church (Mountain View, CA) from 2003-2011. While Living Water is no longer in action, the ideas I had the opportunity to present are just as valid now …
Songwriting
The following is from a series of articles I wrote for Living Water, the choir I directed at Valley Church (Cupertino, CA) from 1987-2003, and at First Presbyterian Church (Mountain View, CA) from 2003-2011. While Living Water is no longer in action, the ideas I had the opportunity to present are just as valid now …
Solo Ringing
Why? Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 Part 1 What you need: Musical literacy: It’s absolutely essential to know how to read music. Beyond that, you also need a good grasp of the special symbols used in handbell scores). Handbell technique: You’ll need playing experience with bells (well, duh!). Flexibility: …
