We took a look at our sixteen-bell arrangement of The First Nowell, and decided to revise it. The result of this work is a score that’s more elegant and, we think, “Christmassy” than the old version. This also gave us a chance to reformat it into a “dual-range”™ package as well, with one version in …
Category: Handbell Ensemble
Nov 24
Once in Royal David’s City – for six handbells and piano
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, and a year after its publication Henry John Gauntlett composed the melody that we know and love. Historical footnote: Mrs. Alexander wasn’t a one-hit wonder… she …
Nov 19
St. Anthony Chorale – for eight handbells
Joseph Haydn wrote this chorale in the 18th century. Our arrangement for eight handbells is quite accessible, and will be a welcome addition to any church service.
Nov 12
Somos del Señor (SOMOS DEL SEÑOR) – for eight handbells
This gentle Spanish-language hymn reflects on the fact that no matter what may happen to us, we belong to God. We hope you’ll enjoy this eight-bell arrangement! Pues si vivimos, para El vivimos y si morimos para El morimos. Sea que vivamos o que muramos, Somos del Señor, somos del Señor. If we live, we …
Nov 05
O Give the Lord Wholehearted Praise (GERMANY) – for eight handbells
This hymn first appeared in W. Gardiner’s Sacred Melodies in 1815. Here’s our eight-bell arrangement! O give the LORD wholehearted praise. / To him thanksgiving I will bring; with all his people I will raise / my voice and of his glory sing. His saints delight to search and trace / his mighty works and …
Oct 29
Funeral Tango – for eight handbells
This somewhat twisted Chopin arrangement/tango/twelve-bar blues came to life as part of the final Low Ding Zone concert series. We’re pleased to offer our seriously boiled-down eight-bell arrangement of this work. Red rose is optional, of course.
Oct 22
Now the Green Blade Riseth/Sing We Now of Christmas (NOEL NOUVELET) – for six handbells and piano
Here’s a brand new earworm for you – it’s the French tune NOEL NOUVELET in 7/8 meter. There are two hymn titles associated with the melody (Sing We Now of Christmas and Now the Green Blade Riseth), so you can play this two times each year! Now the green blade rises from the buried grain, …
Oct 19
For All the Saints (SINE NOMINE) – for eight handbells and piano
Ralph Vaughan Williams wrote the music for this hymn in 1906. Strangely (or not!), the hymn tune is SINE NOMINE, which is Latin for “without name”. Whether or not it actually has a name, therefore, is for the philosophers to sort out… but the hymn is probably most often used on All Saints’ Day when …
Oct 15
Now Thank We All Our God (NUN DANKET) – for eight handbells
In the U.S., Now Thank We All Our God is one of the hymns that makes an annual appearance in November (because of the national Thanksgiving holiday, of course)… but it really can (should?) be played all year round! Here’s a new eight-handbell arrangement for you to play!
Oct 12
Sussex Carol/On This Night All Christians Sing (SUSSEX CAROL) – for six handbells and piano
The Christmas song Sussex Carol is also known by its first lyric line “On this night all Christians sing”. It’s a joyous melody, and we have a wonderful time playing our arrangement of this Christmas carol for six handbells and piano! On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring; on …