Johannes Brahms wrote a lullaby that speaks of how the flowers work hard making wonderful scents during the day, and rest at night. A little bit of quietude seems to be a really good idea in today’s world. Perhaps playing and sharing our eight-bell arrangement will bring some peacefulness. Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you …
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.
Mar 08
For the Beauty of the Earth (DIX) (Handbells, 3-5 octaves plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 3-)
When we published our arrangement of For the Beauty of the Earth (hymn tune DIX) a while back, we know it would be fun to play. Now that we’ve figured out how to make “clone” videos of larger-scale pieces, we have a new video to show how it really sounds on handbells! This piece is …
What Child is This?/Greensleeves – Twelve handbells
There are many stories about Greensleeves. Some historical references say that Henry VIII wrote it… but it had to be someone else because it was written after he’d died. However, it was “on the charts” by Shakespeare’s time, so it’s been around for quite a while, and often appears during Christmas in the form of …
Mar 04
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above – for twelve handbells
We have a new arrangement of Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above for twelve handbells. Sing praise to God who reigns above / the God of all creation, The God of power, the God of love / the God of our salvation. With healing balm my soul is filled / and every faithless murmur …
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above – Twelve handbells
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above was first published in the Bohemian Brethren’s Kirchegesange in 1566. It speaks of constant reliance of God and His ability to make our lives what He wants them to be. Sing praise to God who reigns above / the God of all creation, The God of power, the …
Unified Consonants
Unified vowels define the power and tone in choral music. In the same fashion, unified consonants define the rhythm in that same music and make the lyrics understandable. Here are principles for unifying consonants: Make them short. This makes it easier for a large number of singers to enunciate them at the same time, thereby …
Mar 01
All Things Bright and Beautiful (ROYAL OAK) – for Handbells, 3/5 octaves, Level 3+
Written in 1849 by Cecil Frances Alexander, this joyous text and its happy melody are perfectly matched. Add a bit of rhythmic touch, and you have our arrangement for handbell choir! All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all. Purchasing the handbell …
For the Beauty of the Earth (DIX) (Handbells, 3-5 octaves plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 3-)
The hymn tune DIX is usually sung with the texts For the Beauty of the Earth and As with Gladness Men of Old (the latter most often at Christmas). For the beauty of the earth, For the glory of the skies, For the love which from our birth Over and around us lies. Christ, our …
All Things Bright and Beautiful (ROYAL OAK) (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 3+)
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 …
Unified Vowels
Vowels are the power and tone of the music. The best effect occurs when our vowels agree with each other. Unfortunately, people from different places have regional concepts of how those vowels sound. For instance, native West Coast singers sing with an “average” American accent similar to what newcasters tend to use. Upper Midwesterners tend …
