Joy is celebrated many ways. This “call and response” carol provides a special opportunity to show what’s possible with handbells, because of consecutive phrases that are alternately forte and piano.
While by the sheep we watched at night, glad tidings brought an angel bright.
How great our joy!
Great our joy!
Joy, joy, joy!
Joy, joy, joy!
Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
There shall be born, so he did say, in Bethlehem a child today.
There shall the child lie in a stall, this child who shall redeem us all.
This gift of God we’ll cherish well, that ever joy our hearts shall fill.
Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of the Christmas carol How Great Our Joy provides an opportunity to play as a two-bells-each trio. Another possibility is to play as a duet where one ringer plays four bells and the other (perhaps a younger/newer player!) plays two bells.
PDF score package includes full score with all parts, separated handbells-only part, and separated accompaniment part.
The six bells in the score are accompanied by piano; if you don’t happen to have an accompanist available, we also have an accompaniment MP3 available for purchase.
Church Calendar: Christmas
Hymn tune: JUNGST
Find metrically-matched hymn texts
| Six Handbells with Piano Accompaniment: | ||
| Score Package (PDF): | $10.00 US | |
| Piano Accompaniment MP3: | $4.00 US | |
Also available for 8 handbells.
Purchasing this 6-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to three copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.
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2 comments
Hello –
This may be a silly question, but is a 6-bell piece meant to be played as a duet or as a solo?
Author
Hi Leah!
Actually, this question is far from silly!
When I had shoulder surgery a few years ago, Carla suggested writing (accompanied) six-bell music. That, of course, was because we were going to spend some months being one-and-a-half rather than two four-in-hand ringers. That way, we could keep providing new music to the handbell community.
Six bells can be managed in several ways. You could split the bells:
The choice is yours, and will most likely depend on how many ringers your have and their skill levels. Oh, and also any time restrictions that may be involved. The important thing, is to make the best music you can, so you’ll know what will work best for you.
Happy Ringing,
Larry