There’s some speculation that My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean came into being because of those who hoped that Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stuart) would one day return to the throne. On the other hand, if anyone asked, you could just claim that you were singing about your girlfriend (and keep yourself intact, of …
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.
Morning Has Broken – Twelve handbells
The traditional Gaelic tune BUNESSAN is better known to most of us as the music to the popular hymn Morning Has Broken (popularized by Cat Stevens in the 1970s). Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of the hymn tune BUNESSAN provides an opportunity to play as a two-bells-each trio. Another possibility is to play as a duet …
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee – Twelve handbells
Beethoven wrote nine symphonies. He was an amazing composer, creating wonderful music during his later years even though he had gone deaf. One of his best known symphonic melodies in the choral world is the “Ode to Joy” from his final symphony, the tune for the hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee. Joyful, joyful, we …
Eight-Handbell Collections – “Surprisingly Easy”™
Each of our “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell collections contains seven (or more!) arrangements. That means you get at least one piece free when you buy the collection (rather than the individual pieces). Our Surprisingly Easy”™ Eight-Bell Collection is a set of pieces written to celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th anniversary jubilee. These came together when Carla …
Eight-Handbell Collections – Standard
We have a few “standard” eight-bell collections. These are more challenging than our “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell collections; they’ll keep you on your toes for a while! We have a jig collection. These are five Irish jigs, arranged for just eight handbells. As we learned them, we found that they were not just fun to play …
Larry and Carla’s Second “Surprisingly Easy”™ Eight-Bell Hymn Collection
We’re still finding more and more music that can be played with eight bells, so we’ve decided to make a second collection of “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell hymns. We think you’ll enjoy playing these as much as the first “Surprisingly Easy”™ Hymn Collection. You can play this music with two four-in-hand ringers… or you could have …
Larry and Carla’s Third “Surprisingly Easy”™ Eight-Bell Hymn Collection
Our third (!) collection of “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell hymns is like our first and second collections. A new twist is that this collection has several somewhat longer (as in three-page) arrangements, so now you can more easily select pieces to match the time you need to play in your church service. You can play this …
Jun 20
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Difficult times provide opportunities for all-too-rare people to show incredible character. I’ve been following the news a bit in the wake of the church shootings in Charleston – a horrific crime and tremendous injustice – and have been amazed at how the folks at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church are willing to offer forgiveness …
Shenandoah – Twelve handbells
The American folk tune Shenandoah, also known as “Across the Wide Missouri”, speaks of journeying through the American Midwest. It’s idyllic tune has inspired many settings – and here’s the twelve-bell one! O Shenandoah, I long to hear you Away, you rolling river O Shenandoah, I long to hear you Away, I’m bound away ‘Cross …
We Three Kings – Twelve handbells
We Three Kings tells of special visitors on the first Epiphany. Well… in actuality the Bible doesn’t say precisely how many wise men visited the Christ Child in the Bethlehem manger. But it does record that they brought three special gifts – gold, frankincense, and myrrh – so that seems to hint that there might …
