We’ve been hearing about how some ringers out there have wondered why our eight-bell music was written in the range G5-G6. The main issue that came up was that playing those pieces as a quartet would result in “nontraditional” ringing assignments (say, G5/A5 rather than A5/B5). Why not, say, write using F5-F6? The reason is …
Category: Christmas
Sep 28
O Little Town of Bethlehem (FOREST GREEN) – for six handbells plus piano
his Christmas carol reflects the quiet joy of the Savior’s birth. O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. …
Sep 21
Angels We Have Heard On High (GLORIA) – for six handbells plus piano
Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of Angels We Have Heard On High (hymn tune: GLORIA) 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. The six bells in the score are accompanied …
Sep 14
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (CAROL) – for six handbells plus piano
Here’s our six-handbell arrangement of the usual American melody for this carol. We think it shows a bit of Richard Willis’ (the composer’s) musical background – did you know he studied with Felix Mendelssohn? It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps …
Sep 07
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (VENI EMMANUEL) – for six accompanied handbells
This Advent hymn originates from as far back as possibly the 12th century. It first appeared in English as translated by John M. Neale in 1851. O come, O come, Emmanuel / And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here / Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come …
Sep 03
Angels We Have Heard on High – our second version for eight handbells!
We love the Christmas carol Angels We Have Heard on High so much that we now have a second “standard” eight-bell version! We hope you’ll enjoy it enough to play both arrangements during the holidays!
Aug 20
We have a new “Surprisingly Easy”™ Christmas Collection!
It’s been quite a while since we released a new collection of “Surprisingly Easy”™ Advent/Christmas/Epiphany arrangements – here’s the fourth one! It includes the following: Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella From Starry Skies Descending Joy to the World O du Fröhliche Pat-a-Pan People, Look East The Friendly Beasts The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came Here’s …
Jul 20
Silent Night – for six handbells, accompanied
Franz Gruber’s lovely carol has enchanted people for two centuries. In case you happen to visit Oberdorf von Salzburg, Austria, you can see the original Silent Night Chapel there. Or… if you’re in the Great Lakes region, you can see the Silent Night Chapel modeled after it in Frankenmuth, Michigan! Silent night! Holy night! / …
Jul 13
Creator of the Stars of Night (CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM) – for six accompanied handbells
This 7th century Latin hymn was translated into English by John M. Neale in 1852. Creator of the stars of night, Thy people’s everlasting light, Jesu, Redeemer, save us all, And hear Thy servants when they call. Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of the 7th-century Latin hymn Creator of the Stars of Night provides an opportunity …
Sep 27
De Drie Koningen – for eight handbells!
We have a new eight-handbell Christmas arrangement! It’s the Flemish carol De Drie Konginen (“The Three Kings”). We hope you’ll enjoy playing it for Epiphany (or Christmas, or Advent, or maybe even all year round)!