We’ve noticed that our friends have been enjoying our “Surprisingly Easy”™ Christmas collections, and thought that it would be fun to create a “Standard” Christmas collection for those of you who are more adventurous. The seven arrangements in this collection are more challenging than their “Surprisingly Easy”™ counterparts, so you’ll have more fun. You’ll need …
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.
Strollin’ in the Park (Handbells, 5 octaves, Level 3+)
Here’s the story behind Strollin’ in the Park: One day Libbie Randels asked me to write a piece for her handbell choir. Now, this was an unusual group because it consisted of about three dozen seniors. At the time, their average age was 73 – and they were active, happy, and musical. Getting older is …
Heather’s Dance – Handbells, Harp, and C/Bb/Eb/F Instrument
Dancing in the Highlands is the picture for this unusual trio (… a quartet if you add bodhran!), Heather’s Dance, originally scored for handbells, harp, and bowed psaltery. Bells scored are D5, E5, F#5, G5, A5, B5, C6, D6, E6, F#6, G6, A6, B6, C6, D6, and E6, with D6-E7 on bell tree). Keyboard may …
ENGELBERG (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves plus handchimes, 1 octave, Level 2+)
The hymn tune ENGELBERG has been used with several texts: All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine When in Our Music God is Glorified We Know that Christ is Raised No matter which one you’re singing, it’s an inspiring melody! For 3-5 octaves of handbells and 1 octave of handchimes Level 2+ Preview: …
A Celebration of Our Life (Handbells, 5 octaves plus 3 octaves of handchimes, Level 4)
A California couple commissioned A Celebration of Our Life for their 30th wedding anniversary, and had their church’s handbell choir premiere it when they renewed their vows. Fun abounds in this piece, as it describes parts of their story. For instance: The introductory melody is both thirty beats long and thirty notes long (not counting …
Malagueña – Handbell solo
Ernesto Lecuona’s possibly-most-familiar work Malagueña describes a woman of the town of Malaga. When you play this, it surely will create a musical portrait of a lady with flair and boldness! Range of bells: C#5-E7 Here’s a video of Lisa Arnold playing the piece she commissioned: Price: $ US Purchasing this score gives you permission …
Danza española No 2 “Orientale” (Enrique Granados) – Handbell solo
Enrique Granados, one of the great Spanish pianist/composers, had a tremendous gift for capturing the scenes of his homeland with dots and lines. This solo on his second Danza española conjures up an image of the quietude of an autumn night. Range of bells: C5-C7 Price: $ US Purchasing this score gives you permission to …
Ye Jazzy Gentlemen (Handbells, 5 octaves plus handchimes, 3 octaves, Level 4-)
The inspiration to do something interesting hits now and then. This a la Brubeck arrangement “Ye Jazzy Gentlemen” came into being one day, and I sent it to the erstwhile Above the Line Publishing. Rima’s response was “I don’t normally publish Christmas music, but this one’s so cool that I CAN’T not.” NOW it’s available …
A Minor Crash (Handbells, 5-8 octaves plus optional handchimes, Level 4)
We’ve seen the big signs above the freeway: “IN A MINOR CRASH?…” One day Carla said, “You should write a piece about that…”, so I did. This original composition is full of interesting (and interacting!) rhythms. Separately, they’re fairly easy to learn; together; combined, they’re an exciting mix. A set of somewhat simplified pages is …
Aug 27
Wedding Music!
Bells are for weddings! We’ve just released three classical pieces which are wonderful wedding ceremony repertoire: “Air” From Handel’s Water Music Suite in F Major Bourée from Handel’s Water Music Suite in D Major Mouret’s Rondeau, known to many as the music from “Masterpiece Theater” Of course, they also are well-suited to a church service …
