Unified, coordinated expression is one of the hallmarks of a great choir. In simple terms, we need to sound as if our voices belong together. One of the many factors important to that unity can be summed up in the following phrase: Long Vowels, Short Consonants Here are the assumptions behind this idea: We get …
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.
Jingle Bells – for eight handbells plus piano
James Murray wrote Jingle Bells in 1857. We understand that it actually was a Thanksgiving song for a children’s play at his church… but history has made it into a Christmas song. That probably makes sense since December is snowier than November in most areas (well… if you’re far north enough). Dashing through the snow …
Shall We Gather at the River? (eight handbells and piano)
Shall We Gather at the River, traditionally, is regarded as a baptism hymn, but it also reminds us of the wonder and glory of that day when we shall be in heaven with God. Shall we gather at the river, Where bright angel feet have trod; With its crystal tide forever Flowing by the throne …
Blessed Assurance (ASSURANCE) (eight handbells and piano)
Blessed Assurance is one of Fanny Crosby’s all-time classic hymns. It speaks of faith, dependence, and triumph through having an absolute reliance on God and His power. Our arrangement is for two octaves, and will be a welcome addition to your ensemble’s repertoire. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! …
Be Thou My Vision (SLANE) (eight handbells and piano)
Be Thou My Vision, usually sung to the hymn tune SLANE, is a heartfelt and eloquent prayer by a believer who wants to follow the path God offers. Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art Thou my best Thought, by day or by …
Resonance center
Choral singing requires a solid sound. That solid sound can happen only if it has a definite focus point where it can live. I define this as having a “resonance center”, a place in which to focus the singing voice. Visualization of the Resonance Center I visualize the vocal resonance center as a small sphere …
Dec 24
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Choraegus
The snow started falling this morning at our place. Millions of tiny bits of ice surround us, and we’re safe and warm inside. Shoveling awaits… It’s the end of 2020, and as we’ve had a fairly wild December, we’ve decided to take a break from our rather manic two-a-week publication pace and get a little …
Cutoffs
A “cutoff” is the action of finishing a phrase. Any musical ensemble, whether vocal or instrumental, must execute its cutoffs cleanly. If we let each performer stop a phrase when they think it’s time, it leads to a sort of fadeout when that final phoneme is a vowel; the volume diminishes as we’re left with …
Remote Choral Tidbits
Here are some short articles about various aspects of choral singing. They’re based on my personal experiences as a choral director, and have been practical ways of helping my singers work together. You’re welcome to print and use them with your choir(s) free of charge; I only ask that you acknowledge the source. If you …
Jingle Bells – for eight handbells plus piano
James Murray wrote Jingle Bells in 1857. We understand that it actually was a Thanksgiving song for a children’s play at his church… but history has made it into a Christmas song. That probably makes sense since December is snowier than November in most areas (well… if you’re far north enough). Dashing through the snow …
