We have pieces for “normal” handbell choir, ranging from two to eight octaves. If you’d like to suggest a piece, let us know and we can look into the possibilities!
If you happen to have a smaller ensemble than might make these pieces manageable, check out our more minimalist repertoire:
Here’s a quick list of our scores for handbell choir (including our sixteen-bell pieces, which are two or three octaves, depending range selected). Each title is a link to the corresponding webpage. TITLE HYMN TUNE Level Oct. Bells Oct. Chimes Comment ABC | DEF | GHI | JKLM | NOP | QRS | TUV | …
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 …
The hymn tune AN WASSERFLÜSSEN BABYLON dates from the sixteenth century. It’s from the Strassburger Kirchenant of 1525. We’ve found it to be a bit of an earworm, probably because of its harmonies. We hope you enjoy playing our Level 3- arrangement for three or five octaves of handbells. A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth, The …
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 …
A Snail’s Pace, written with a plush orange-pink-and-purple snail in mind, this original laid-back jazz piece will challenge you even as you relax into its feel! Handbells, 5-8 octaves plus handchimes, 5 octaves Level 5+ Single Copy Version (PDF): $ US Handbell Choir Version (PDF): $ US Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement …
Otto Kotilainen’s Finnish carol A Sparrow on Christmas Morning tells the story of a sparrow that has exhausted his summer food supply. In danger of starving in the winter cold, he visits a young girl who offers him a seed to eat. The sparrow gratefully accepts the offer, and then reveals that he, her deceased …
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 …
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 …
I think of America the Beautiful as a “wannabe national anthem”, because it says so much about what matters in the country where I live. This Level 4 arrangement for three to five octaves of handbells will sparkle in your church service or patriotic gathering. O beautiful for spacious skies / For amber waves of …
Angels We Have Heard on High is based on the nineteenth-century French song Les Anges dans nos Campagnes and is traditionally sung to the hymn tune GLORIA. The lyric tells us of how the angels came from heaven to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. Our three-octave handbell arrangement is a very accessible Level …
Angels came from heaven to celebrate the birth of Christ. It’s amazing to compare how it must have been in God’s glorious presence with the humble stable of Bethlehem. Yet they came, and they marveled! Angels from the realms of glory / Wing your flight o’er all the earth; Ye who sang creation’s story / …
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 appears 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, …
The melody in this arrangement of Away in a Manger by James Murray is the one most familiar to Americans. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head, The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on …
One day on Facebook, a post appeared: Replace one word in the title with “banana.” What’s your favorite handbell piece? With one reply being: Banana Passacaglia And then: I would like for Larry Sue to get to work on this immediately. So, to make a not-so-long story short, it took a couple of days to …
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 …
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 …
Beautiful Lilies (hymn tune: LILIES) is an Easter hymn from the turn of the twentieth century. The Easter lily is a symbol of resurrection. It aymbolizes the trumpet of victory that proclaims that Jesus has risen from the grave. Beautiful lilies, / White as the snow, Speak to us softly / Of long ago; Telling …
The melody for Beautiful Savior / Fairest Lord Jesus dates back to the 14th century. As the hymn text says, Jesus Christ is still just as wonderful and lovely as ever. Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, O thou of God and man the Son, Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, thou, …
Bernie Foulk, “beloved friend”, rang with the Kalamazoo Ringers from 2022 to 2025. I and the rest of the ensemble had hoped to have many more years of ringing with him, but that was not to be. After a short illness, Bernie headed for the next life, and we started missing his wit, charm, enthusiasm, …
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! …
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 three to five octaves, and will be a welcome addition to your ensemble’s repertoire. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of …
Lake Tai is a large lake near Shanghai. It’s central, so it has many commercial connections, and because it’s shallow, it’s a peaceful place to visit. The Chinese folk song Boat on Lake Tai (太湖船) draws a picture of a peaceful scene, where a small boat glides across the water. You’ll enjoy that peacefulness when …
Sylvia Dee and Arthur Kent wrote this happy, charming little song back in the 1960s. It sticks in your mind easily, and even influenced a generation of UK TV viewers on “Morecambe and Wise”. Our arrangement adds a cute descant line as well. Bring me sunshine / In your smile Bring me laughter / All …
Stanley Myers’ Cavatina, brings a thoughtful air to the listener. Our arrangement for three or five octaves of handbells imitates the openness and simplicity of the original classical guitar score. Your ensemble will find it quite accessible in terms of the written notes, but will also experience tremendous scope for development of expression as they …
I directed a beginning handbell choir at Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, California in 2006-2007. Alas, we only had our loaner bells for a year (thank you, Area 12!), and then had to pass them on to another fortunate group. This piece, Celebration, was a great starter for new ringers. It’s active and …
There’s a famous story about how a little boy found his way onto the great Ignacy Paderewski’s piano bench. The child climbed onto the stage before a concert. Oblivious to the audience, began playing Euphemia Allen’s world-famous 1877 hit Chopsticks. Some of the shocked ticket-holders wanted the child removed for intruding on sacred ground. Paderewski, …
Hal David and Burt Bacharach teamed up to write (They Long to Be) Close to You, a gentle, plaintive song about romances that ended up being daydreams. Although hundreds of artists have recorded this song, most of us remember it as the Carpenters’ big hit of 1970. Our arrangement is scored for three to seven …
Ralph Vaughan Williams composed Come Down, O Love Divine. The lyric speaks of the believer’s need to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength through all of life. Come down, O Love divine; seek out this soul of mine, and visit it with Your own ardor glowing. O Comforter, draw near; within my …
John Wyeth or Asahel Nettleton wrote the lovely hymn tune NETTLETON back in 1813. The text Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, paired therewith, continues to comfort and inspire Christians today. Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. …
Rowland Prichard composed the popular Welsh tune Hyfrydol. Many hymn texts, such as Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, are paired with it. Hymn tune: HYFRYDOL Find metrically-matched hymn texts Handbell Choir Version (PDF): $ US Also available for 6 accompanied handbells, 8 handbells. Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and …
The Allured Composition Award Committee commissioned me (Larry) to compose a piece of music in August 2016. The world premiere of this new original work would be at the Bay View Week of Handbells. The result was Coronation and Triumphant Exultation. Don Allured founded the Bay View Week of Handbells in 1978. His vision was …
Jesus Christ is so incredibly far above everything else in this universe that He deserves all of our love and worship. The hymn Crown Him with Many Crowns gives a small idea of what this means, but His greatness still exceeds any description we can muster. It’s fitting that it’s set to the hymn tune …
Scott Joplin’s genius as the King of Rag shines in this arrangement of his Crush Collision March. The music depicts a long railroad track with two steam locomotives and the cars they’re pulling. The problem: two trains are headed toward each other at full tilt, and are unaware of each other until mutual destruction is …
God isn’t just interested in what happens in our lives. He pays attention to every moment of every day we live. That’s why we can rely on Him completely in all circumstances and situations. Here is our arrangement of the hymn Day by Day. Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find …
Churches around the world sing the Doxology (“Praise God from whom all blessings flow”). They often do so as a congregational response to the presentation of tithes and offerings. We have two versions in our score package based on the hymn tune OLD HUNDREDTH, both in G major. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, …
Laurie and Rusty Sanders commissioned Elysium (3-5 oct. with opt. flute descant) from Susan T. Nelson in 1996; Rusty provided the title. Upon receipt of the original three-octave version, they requested an expansion to five octaves. The 5 oct. version sports a descant line that gives it a different character from the original work. Elysium …
The hymn tune ENGELBERG pairs 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 2 octaves of handbells Level 2+ Single Copy Version (PDF): $ US Handbell Choir …
The hymn tune ENGELBERG pairs 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+ Single Copy Version …
Handbell composers usually write compositions for note ranges that are complete octaves of bells. Having this agreed-on convention between manufacturers, composers, publishers, and performers makes it easier to maintain consistency within the ringing art. For instance, “five octaves” refers to the range C3-C8. By doing this, we start with a common knowledge about the music …
Eternal Father, Strong to Save, also known in the United States as “The Navy Hymn” speaks of the dangers of life and how they must submit to the power and authority of God. Its serious character gives assurance in the direst time, and reminds us of our everlasting need for the protection of the Creator. …
I (Larry) wrote Five as a fifth-anniversary gift to Carla. It was first performed by the handbell choir at our church just a couple of days after our actual anniversary date. There’s a little bit of extra fun in the score…see if you can find all the “fives” there! Handbells (three, four, or five octaves) …
Flower Drum Song Feng Yang Hua Gu (凤阳花鼓) may have been composed as far back as the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.). It comes from Fengyang County in Anhui Province, and is said to have been sung by people affected by floods in that region as part of asking for donations to recover their living. 左手锣右手鼓手拿着锣鼓 …
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 …
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 …
Forever was commissioned in 2012 by Dee Allaway and her family in memory of her father Walter Dennis Oliver. It’s a grand tribute to a man who brought music to his family as well as others around him. At least five octaves of handbells are necessary to play Forever. You’ll find that there are abundant …
Gaudete! is a Christmas song dating back to at least the sixteenth century. You’ll find this arrangement (with optional cajón part!) exciting and fun to play! Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus Ex Maria virgine, gaudete! Tempus adest gratiæ Hoc quod optabamus, Carmina lætitiæ Devote reddamus. Deus homo factus est Natura mirante, Mundus renovatus est A …
Gesu Bambino (“the Christ Child”) is a Nativity song from 1917. It’s a lullaby for the Child, but also a call to worship for all others as He awaits them at the Bethlehem manger. Pietro A. Yon, the composer, created the melody so that it would mesh perfectly with VENITE ADOREMUS (“O come, let us …
The birth of the Christ Child has been an occasion for great joy for centuries. Go Tell It on the Mountain gives us both the command to proclaim the coming of the Savior as well as a song by which to declare it. Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go, …
.Greet the Morning, an original work for three to five octaves of handbells, draws a picture of waiting for the sun to rise. The night vanishes gradually as the light of dawn overcomes the darkness. It increases in brightness until all of a sudden, the sun peeks over the horizon and starts the day. This …
We’ve rearranged this Low Ding Zone original composition for (a normal) handbell choir! With a light, bouncy melody and plenty of action everywhere else on the staff, your handbell choir will have a great time playing this piece. Oh… please note that it’s not to be confused with the Pharrell Williams song from a few …
Here’s our arrangement of the universal party favorite, Happy Birthday (to You), for three to seven octaves of handbells (add handchimes if you wish!). After much history and (legal!) discussion between forces outside our control, the courts declared some years ago that Happy Birthday, the famous tune by the Hill sisters, was indeed in the …
We bring you a fresh and unusual arrangement of the Christmas song Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. The irregular meters will keep your ringers on their toes, and will give your congregation a different look at rejoicing during Christmas season! And if you want to be even more intrepid, there’s an optional flute part! Hark! …
Christmas is a time for angels, who received the very special musical assignment of singing about the birth of the Messiah. This Level 2 arrangement for three octaves will add to your celebration! Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all …
Having direction and purpose in life is a challenge… but following God can make our walk through this world seem much more reasonable. One hymn on this subject is He Leadeth Me. He leadeth me: O blessed thought! O words with heavenly comfort fraught! Whate’er I do, where’er I be, still ’tis God’s hand that …
The Almighty God is worthy of the worship we give Him. Part of this worship comes in the form of singing. The hymn His Eye is On the Sparrow provides a way to raise our voices to honor Him. Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely …
One sunny Tuesday at the 1990 Mount Hermon Music Conference, Dana Vivit asked “Why haven’t you written anything for the Brass Angels yet?” We’d been friends for some years by then, and so I responded, “Well, name it.” “Holy, Holy, Holy.” “You got it!” Not knowing how to leave the thought alone, my mind started …
I’ve written a number of choral pieces for Living Water, my choir at Valley Church of Cupertino, California, and looked through them to see whether any could be arranged for handbells. Home at Last, the fifty-fourth in the set, is about the blessed hope that Christians have in the promise that Jesus Christ will one …
Worshipers love the grandness of the Swedish hymn How Great Thou Art by Carl Gustav Boberg. English-speaking congregants have had the joy of singing it because of Stuart Hine’s translation work. O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder Consider all the works Thy hand hath made. I see the stars, I hear the …
Johann Franck wrote I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say in the 17th century. The music for his hymn is unusual, because it has a minor key verse and major key refrain. This contrast reflects how life’s difficulties (minor key) are answered by the Savior’s love (major key). I heard the voice of Jesus say, …
The Bible says that it is the Person and power of the Lord Jesus Christ that keeps the universe together. That’s true not only in physics, but also in our own lives as well. This arrangement of I Sing the Mighty Power of God has some delightful counterpoint that will challenge and enchant your ringers! …
John Rox wrote the novelty song I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas in 1950. Three years later, Gayla Peevey, a ten-year old from Oklahoma City, OK, recorded it with Mitch Miller’s orchestra as the supporting cast. It’s been a holiday earworm ever since – and now it’s available for three octaves of handbells (plus optional …
I Will Arise and Go to Jesus, this arrangement of the well-known Southern Harmony tune ARISE, was commissioned by Barbara Charlebois in memory of her father. Below is a rehearsal video from Distinctly Bronze West 2011 in Bremerton, Washington. ARISE also pairs with the hymn text “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy” Handbells (three to …
In the Garden is an early twentieth-century Gospel song by C. Austin Miles. In those solitary times, we find the Savior waiting for us in a peaceful place, and spend time rejoicing in His presence. This is one of the most popular hymns of all time! I come to the garden alone While the dew …
The poem often comes first… Christina Rosetti wrote the words for Scribner’s Monthly in 1872, and Gustav Holst set her verse to music in 1906. The result: In the Bleak Midwinter, one of the most reflective and well-loved of all Christmas songs. In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan / earth stood hard as …
Every Christmas bring the wonder of the Christ Child in the manger. It’s the mystery of God coming to live among us on earth. Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ …
Mily Balakirev was the senior member of the “Big Five”, a cadre of Russian nationalist composers (in case you’re wondering, the other four were Modest Mussorgsky, Nikolai Rimsky-Koraskov, Aleksandr Borodin, and Cesar Cui). Balakirev spent some time exploring the Caucasus region in southern Russia, and came across the “islamey”, a cultural dance that featured lots …
This hymn by Horatio Spafford and Philip Bliss testifies of the incredible peace God gives through our faith in Him, and how He continues to give that comfort to believers today. It’s amazing how one man’s experience and faith can touch the hearts and lives of so many thousands of others! When peace, like a …
This hymn by Horatio Spafford and Philip Bliss testifies of the incredible peace God gives through our faith in Him, and how He continues to give that comfort to believers today. It’s amazing how one man’s experience and faith can touch the hearts and lives of so many thousands of others! When peace, like a …
The Chinese folk song Mo Li Hua (茉莉花) dates back to the 18th century, and is one of the most popular Chinese tunes of all time. The title translates “jasmine flower”. Our arrangement is Level 4-, which means your ensemble will have lots of fun playing it. It’s also a great selection for concert repertoire, …
Jesus is good, and wonderful, and holy, and well… He’s God. What else could He ever be? This is a relatively simple arrangement of the gentle hymn Jesus, Good Above All Other. Hymn Tune: QUEM PASTORES Handbells (3 octaves) Level: 2+ Single Copy Version (PDF): $ US Handbell Choir Version (PDF): $ US Purchasing the …
Jesus loves us – that’s the glorious, plainly-stated truth of what matters in life and eternity. Here’s a handbell arrangement of Jesus, Lover of My Soul in which the hymn tune ABERYSTWYTH pairs with Charles Wesley’s words: Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly, while the nearer waters roll, while the …
We understand that James Murray wrote Jingle Bells in 1857 as 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 in a …
KELVINGROVE is an old Scottish tune. Where it appears in hymnals, it usually is under the title “The Summons”. Historically, it’s a love song sung by a soldier to his love as he strolls with her one last time before he heads to battle. Here are the first and last verses of the folk song …
The English tune KINGSFOLD matches with many hymn texts. Its solemn, meditative feel lends itself well to deep thoughts. One such text is O Sing A Song of Bethlehem. O sing a song of Bethlehem, of shepherds watching there, and of the news that came to them from angels in the air. The light that …
Kum Ba Yah is an African-American spiritual, likely dating back to the eighteenth or nineteenth century. The first known recording of it dates back to 1926. It was a fairly upbeat version of the song; since then, it’s become a more prayerful meditation. The phrase “kum ba yah” is a linguistic variation of “come by …
The Welsh tune ASH GROVE is most frequently associated with the text Let All Things Now Living. It can be used as service music throughout the year, but for some has a favorite place on World Communion Sunday and at Thanksgiving. Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving to God the Creator triumphantly …
The Welsh tune ASH GROVE most frequently pairs with the text Let All Things Now Living. The hymn serves as year-round service music, often appearing on World Communion Sunday and Thanksgiving . Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving to God the Creator triumphantly raise, who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed …
The spiritual Let Us Break Bread Together has simple, yet profound words. It’s a communion song that puts absolute and everlasting reliance on the mercy and grace of God. Our setting for two to three octaves of handbells will bring a peaceful touch to your service or music presentation. Let us break bread together on …
Lift High the Cross undoubtedly is most frequently sung in churches at Easter (and maybe on through Pentecost), but the message of salvation through Christ rings true the whole year round. This arrangement will be a welcome addition to your repertoire. Refrain: Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world …
Lift High the Cross undoubtedly is most frequently sung in churches at Easter (and maybe on through Pentecost), but the message of salvation through Christ rings true the whole year round. This arrangement will be a welcome addition to your repertoire. Refrain: Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world …
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming dates back to sixteenth-century Germany. Its lyric combines the image of Jesus Christ as the Rose of Sharon and the Root of Jesse, plus the traditional impression of celebrating Christmas in winter. It was translated to English by Theodore Baker in the nineteenth century. Lo, how a Rose e’er …
Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill wrote Mack the Knife in 1928 for the Threepenny Opera. Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bobby Darin performed it, guaranteeing its place in our music social awareness. It’s such a happy, bouncy song that you’d hardly know it was talking about a the bad, bad guy in the story. But …
I fell in love with Mahler’s symphonies a long time ago. They’re gigantic works which stretch the limits (so far…) of how musical expression can be built. As of the twentieth century, they represent the pinnacle of orchestral composing. Mahler’s first symphony is about an hour in length. That’s around three times the length of …
Here’s a meditative piece which you can play at any time when a thoughtful, contemplative atmosphere is planned. Formerly named “Lenten Piece”, Meditation actually can be used for much, much more than its original concept! We have two videos below. The first recording shows how Tintabulations Handbell Ensemble from Reno-Sparks, Nevada played it. The second …
We had the privilege of tagging along with Campanelli, an internationally-known Estonian handbell ensemble, for a week in 2017. This song, Mu Süda Ärka Üles (“Awake, My Heart”), was a high point for us because there was an eight-bell part added onto their full-choir arrangement by Susan T. Nelson. This is our eight-bell arrangement of …
My Faith Has Found a Resting Place elegantly states the key truth of salvation: It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.” No effort on our part will make a difference either way, because all we need to do is put our trust in Him. My faith has found a resting …
My Faith Has Found a Resting Place elegantly states the key truth of salvation: It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.” No effort on our part will make a difference either way, because all we need to do is put our trust in Him. My faith has found a resting …
My Jesus, I Love Thee presents the truth of salvation simply: Christ’s giving Himself on the cross for our sins offers us everlasting life. But it also demands our complete devotion when we accept that marvelous gift. The hymn also states that truth elegantly; the easy-to-understand words allow the deep truth of God’s love to …
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He seeks us when we stray, and guides us when we stay by His side. And one day, He will take us to be in His presence forever. Our two-octave arrangement will give your congregation an opportunity to reflect on these wonderful truths! My Shepherd will supply my need, Jehovah …
The Bible tells us to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). It’s all about the beauty and joy of a redeemed soul experiencing God’s love and guidance from day to day and minute to minute. This original piece depicts how that newness feels. With this original piece, you have these options: Level 3: Play …
Nocturne is an original work for three or five octaves of handbells (and three octaves of handchimes). I composed it as an entry in a composition contest, with the conditions being that it had to be Level 2 or 3, and be less than 4’30” in duration. I think you’ll like – or maybe love! …
In the U.S., Now Thank We All Our God is one of the hymns that makes an annual appearance. That’s because of the national Thanksgiving holiday in November. But it really can (should?) be played all year round! “Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things has done, …
Here’s a dual-purpose arrangement that you can play as Sing We Now of Christmas for Christmas, or as Now the Green Blade Riseth for Easter! Sing we now of Christmas, Noel, sing we here! Hear our grateful praises to the babe so dear. Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel! Sing we now of …
The celebration of Christmas centers on the promise that God is always working toward His ultimate triumph. O Come, All Ye Faithful draws us not just to the manger, but to the everlasting future of Christ’s kingdom. O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem. Come and …
The Advent song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel comes from a fifteenth-century French melody, but may originate from as far back as possibly the 12th century. It first appeared in English as translated by John M. Neale in 1851. It’s a prayer by those who hoped that the Christ would come to earth and make …
O Holy Night is perhaps one of the most dramatically-presented of all English language Christmas carols. It’s been performed by countless artists, and has been a favorite of many people all their lives. O holy night! the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in …
The Christmas carol O Little Town of Bethlehem reflects the quiet joy of the Savior’s birth. This arrangement is of the hymn tune FOREST GREEN, the melody more often used for Phillip Brooks’ lyric. O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go …
O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High attempts the impossible task of describing God’s transcendent qualities in mere human words. You can’t explain His eternity in a finite amount of time, nor His omniscience with limited experience, nor his holiness from a sinner’s point of view. So you just have to give it all …
The chant DIVINUM MYSTERIUM dates back to the thirteenth century. We now recognize it by the lyrics: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”. You can imagine how it would resonate in a stone monastery far off in the hills. The opening statement of the plainchant which can be played on bells, chimes, or other instrument; we …
On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry pairs with the 15th century hymn tune PUER NOBIS. It’s traditionally sung for Advent. Our two-octave arrangement of this hymn is published under the alternate Easter title That Easter Day with Joy was Bright. On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry announces that the Lord is nigh. Awake and harken, …
There are a number of hymns where the lyrics preceded the music by being written as a poem. Once in David’s Royal City was written by Cecil Frances Alexander. A year after its publication Henry John Gauntlett composed the melody IRBY that we know and love. Historical footnote: Mrs. Alexander wasn’t a one-hit wonder… she …
Turmoil is a standard of life for many. We have the varied components of our lives competing for our attention, often all at the same time, and so there are times when that competition puts us into mental paralysis. Getting nothing done can become an all-too-regular occurrence! The good news is that Christ offers peace …
God is in charge of everything. He created the universe, and it’s only because of His power that it all holds together. Yet He’s interested in each of our lives, and even about the smallest things we do. He knows how many hairs we have on our heads, and accounts for each sparrow and tree. …
The title from Joachim Neander’s German 1680 chorale, reads even more impressively in German: Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren. “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” has been a church favorite for many years – after all, our very lives depend on God and His infinite power. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, …
The hymn tune LAUDA ANIMA was written by John Goss in 1868, and is married wonderfully with the lyric Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven. Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet your tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore his praises sing. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting King! Praise him …
Shosh Meyer is a friend who does marvelous things with the handbell program at her church. Her love for handbells has inspired the many, many ringers who have been involved in her ministry. Erik, Julie, and Jan Tate were three of those blessed by Shosh, so much that they commissioned Procession and Celebration in her …
An original short work, this processional was written specially for the 2014 Texas Conference Choir Clinic at the Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine, Texas. It’s easy to memorize, and can be an effective part of your worship service! Purchase allows you to make the copies you need for your ringers to learn Processional. Handbells …
Sometimes we find ourselves in what we think is a hopeless situation. Well, we think it’s hopeless, because we don’t have an adequate answer to that problem. It’s those times when God can send the answer in the form of someone else who shares the burden and helps to make sense of life. He provides …
Rhapsody in Blue, the iconic work by George Gershwin, entered the public domain as of 2020. So it’s time to arrange it for handbells! (Well, this was done some years back, but that version is long out of print.) While none of the sections of this arrangement are of an AGEHR Level higher than 5, …
Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow is an African-American Christmas spiritual. It’s about the message that drew the shepherds to follow the Christmas star to find the Christ Child. It’s a “call and response” song – one way it’s been done in many Black churches is to have the soloist sing the “call” lines, and to …
Rock of Ages is one of the most beloved hymns of all time. It focuses on God’s absolute reliability and how those who trust in Him possess the salvation that He offers. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, from Thy wounded side which …
The film Lemon Drop Kid from 1951 has a scene with a grumpy, unhappy Santa standing by a donation kettle. The impression he presents is completed with a gruff singing voice and a clanky bell. He’s, shall we say, doing poorly at generating donations. Along come Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell. They straighten him out …
Here’s a dual-purpose arrangement that you can play as Sing We Now of Christmas for Christmas, or as Now the Green Blade Riseth for Easter! Sing we now of Christmas, Noel, sing we here! Hear our grateful praises to the babe so dear. Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel! Sing we now of …
Smiles, written in 1917 by J. Will Callahan and Lee S. Roberts, is a song about the happiness brought by a dear one’s smile. We have a special attachment to this song, because our Bay View cottage is near Smiles Park at the Bay View Association… that’s where J. Will Callahan wrote the lyrics. Dearie, …
Smiles, written in 1917 by J. Will Callahan and Lee S. Roberts, is a song about the happiness brought by a dear one’s smile. We have a special attachment to this song, because our Bay View cottage is near Smiles Park at the Bay View Association. That’s where J. Will Callahan wrote the lyrics. We’ve …
I love living in Michigan. The rotation of the seasons give me something to enjoy every month, and something fresh to do every three months. Okay… mowing in the spring and summer, raking in the autumn, and shoveling in the winter. But it’s exercise, and I’m in better shape for it! In the handbell world, …
Somebody Loves Me, a joyous song by Buddy DeSylva, Ballard MacDonald, and George Gershwin entered the public domain in 2020. It’s our pleasure to bring our handbell arrangement of it to you! Somebody loves me, I wonder who, I wonder who she can be, Somebody needs me, I wish that I knew Who she can …
Our garden has lots of large trees. With those trees come many lively, carefree squirrels. This original piece for handbell choir is titled for these little furry animals, but if you want to play it for your congregation, you’re more than welcome to create an alternate title, such as “Rejoicing”! Handbells (three or five octaves) …
Standing on the Promises was one of the hymns we sang often in my first church. It reflects the joy of having Christ as Savior, and the hope of going to heaven. When God makes a promise, He keeps it! Standing on the Promises is available from Handbell World.
The Christmas lullaby Still, Still, Still reminds us that the Christ Child sleeps, and that He sleeps under the watchful eyes of the angels of heaven. Still, still, still, One can hear the falling snow. For all is hushed, The world is sleeping, Holy Star its vigil keeping. Still, still, still, One can hear the …
Our arrangement of the English folk melody STOWEY actually gives you three options for how it’s used: As the folk melody STOWEY, As the hymn When a Knight Won His Spurs: When a knight won his spurs, in the stories of old, He was gentle and brave, he was gallant and bold With a shield …
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 …
The hymn tune SUNRISE was published in 1768 in Kyriale (Luxembourg). You’ll find it in today’s hymnals with the texts At thy feet, O Christ, we lay and Spirit, Working in Creation. Hymn Tune: SUNRISE Find metrically-matched hymn texts Handbells (three or five octaves), plus handchimes (two octaves) Level 2+ Single Copy Version (PDF): $ …
This traditional English Christmas Sussex Carol is also known as “On Christmas Night All Christians Sing”. The arrangement in our hymnals is by Ralph Vaughan Williams… but the unharmonized tune is far older than that. On Christmas night all Christians sing To hear what news those angels bring; News of great joy, news of great …
Nikolay Bernard, the editor of the music magazine Nouvellist, commissioned Tchaikovsky to write a suite of twelve piano solos. They were released, in turn, each month of 1876. Because of the year-round theme, the pieces in this collection were entitled The Seasons, and they have remained gems in the piano repertoire. These delightful works are …
That Easter Day with Joy was Bright matches with the 15th century hymn tune PUER NOBIS. This text traditionally appears at Easter, and also fits with On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry for Advent. That Easter day with joy was bright: The sun shone out with fairer light When, to their longing eyes restored, The_apostles …
The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended is about eternity in the “always” rather than the “forever” sense. The lyrics are about perseverance without letup as the Church continues her work night and day. The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended / The darkness falls at Thy behest; To Thee our morning hymns ascended / …
Many believers have thought of the end of this life as the traversal of a river. “Crossing the Jordan”… “Gathering at the river that leads to the throne of God”… “Meeting on the other shore.” Imagine the clarion call for that final crossing, when those follow its summons enter the presence of God. For them, …
Our arrangement of The Heavens Declare Your Glory is generally appropriate for worship services. It also can be played at Easter as O Joyous Easter Morning. The heavens declare your glory, the firmament your power; day unto day the story repeats from hour to hour. Night unto night replying, proclaims in every land, O LORD, …
Caroline Harnly commissioned this arrangement The Lord is My Shepherd in honor of her mother. It’s to the less familiar hymn tune POLAND. The Lord is my shepherd, no want shall I know.>I feed in green pasture, safe folded I rest, He leadeth my soul where the still waters flow, Restores me when wandering, redeems …
We live in Michigan where there are lots of trees and wildlife. Lake Michigan is nearby, and the cycle of seasons each year keeps life fresh and vibrant. We love it here. That love makes us think that Michigan is “our Father’s world”. You might live in a different sort of area, perhaps the tropics, …
We’re excited to have permission to arrange the Gene Raskin song Those Were the Days, recorded by Mary Hopkin in 1968. It’s based on the Russian song “Дорогой длинною” (Dorogoi dlinnoyu, literally “by the long road”). In today’s popular music framework, it’s about youth and celebrating great times. Handbells (five to seven octaves), with optional …
The absolute humility that the Son of God showed in coming to earth is shown in this Christmas song. He descended from a heavenly throne to start mortal life in a manger, and now beckons to all of us to share in all that He has. Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown …
Zequinha de Abreu wrote the exciting Tico tico no fubá in 1917. You’ll dance to this arrangement… but remember that you also have bells to play! We also have some terrific percussion parts, by Alex Guebert, for guiro, maracas, cabasa, tamborim, and claves. Handbells (five, six, or seven octaves) plus handchimes (3 octaves) Level 5+ …
Tigress Rag, written in the style of Scott Joplin, was the Second Place Winner of the 2011 Bells of the Sound “All That Jazz” composition contest. The arrangement is for 5-7 octaves of handbells, and is dedicated to Larry’s wife Carla! We also have a version for pianists! Handbells (five, six, or seven octaves) Level …
Fanny Crosby and William Doane were a “dynamic duo” of hymn-writing between 1980 and 1910. She wrote the words, and he composed the music. One of their best-known hymns is To God Be the Glory. Personal note: This was the favorite hymn of Larry’s great-aunt Pat! To God be the glory, great things He has …
[Tomorrow Shall Be] My Dancing Day tells the story of salvation from Christ’s point of view. This makes the lyrics a bit mystical, because they include quite a lot of soteriology (“doctrine of salvation”) as Biblical references. However, it presents these references charmingly, because they’re all focused on the chorus, which tells us to sing …
This is the oldest known Canadian carol. Gitchi Manitou is Algonquian for “Great Spirit”, the Native American name for God, and the lyrics tell the Christmas story as it might have told been near the Great Lakes. ‘Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel …
Ukrainian Bell Carol was first known as “Schedryk”/«Щедрик» when Mykola Leontovych wrote it in 1916. And then… in 1941, Peter Wilhousky wrote the lyrics entitled “Carol of the Bells”, the title under which credit is usually given in the United States. We present our arrangement of Leontovych’s composition under its “more original” title. And because …
VÅRVINDAR FRISKA (Fresh Spring Winds) is a pretty Swedish folk tune that more recently has been matched with a hymn text or two, such as “O Living Breath”. Here are the original lyrics for the folk song.
We moved to Holland, Michigan in the summer of 2016. One of the quick lessons we were given with respect to living in the Midwest was the saying, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes”… or three minutes, or sometimes even one minute. Our neighbor across the street told me that there have …
Walking Home, an original work for three to five octaves of handbells, brings to mind that feeling you have when the time to leave work or school has arrived. The special feeling of knowing that you’re headed back to your safest place goes with you and inspires your walk. And the melody sings in your …
When Morning Gilds the Skies because it has… well, that “morning” quality on a cool spring day when the sun rises gently in the east over hills of flowers. When morning gilds the skies my heart awaking cries: May Jesus Christ be praised! Alike at work and prayer, to Jesus I repair: May Jesus Christ …
It’s interesting to find that the lyrics for Christmas carols and hymns are sung to different melodies on each side of the ocean. This one, by Handel, is the version of While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night that’s sung in the USA. While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, …
This new handbell arrangement of Irving Berlin’s holiday classic White Christmas will add a special touch to your Christmas program. It’s scored for five to seven octaves with optional flute, and will have your audience singing along! I’m dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones I used to know Where the treetops glisten …
Seiichi Kyoda composed this wonderful piece. His group Uttara-Kuru performed Winter Dance with a synthesis of traditional Japanese instruments (shakuhachi, koto, etc.) and electronica. The picture is of the citizens of a remote village celebrating life with a community dance. Handbells (5 octaves) plus handchimes (2 octaves) Level 4 Single Copy Version (PDF): $ US …
Seiichi Kyoda composed this wonderful piece. His group Uttara-Kuru performed Winter Dance with a synthesis of traditional Japanese instruments (shakuhachi, koto, etc.) and electronica. The picture is of the citizens of a remote village celebrating life with a community dance. Handbells (7 octaves) plus handchimes (2 octaves) Level 4 Single Copy Version (PDF): $ US …
According to Wikipedia, Richard Bernhard Smith wrote the lyrics for “Winter Wonderland” while recovering from tuberculosis in 1934. That same year, Felix Bernard added the tune that has now been covered over 200 times! This song speaks fun and romance during the cold season, about playing in the snow, and planning for great time ahead, …
The hymn tune WOODLANDS was written by Walter Greatorex in 1919. It’s a melody of grandeur and joy, and has been paired with texts such as Tell Out, My Soul and Filled with the Spirit’s Power. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice; Tender to me the …
The hymn tune WOODLANDS was written by Walter Greatorex in 1919. It’s a melody of grandeur and joy, and has been paired with texts such as Tell Out, My Soul and Filled with the Spirit’s Power. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice; Tender to me the …
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 …