Jul 28

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (INFANT HOLY, INFANT LOWLY) – Twelve handbells

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly is a reflection on the wonder of the Christ Child in the manger – it’s the mystery of God coming to live among us on earth. You’ll enjoy playing our new twelve-bell arrangement of this carol!

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 the babe is Lord of all! Christ the babe is Lord of all!

Flocks were sleeping; shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new
saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of the gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was born for you! Christ the babe was born for you!

 

Purchasing this 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score, if part of the purchase) – 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.

Jul 24

Come Thou Almighty King (ITALIAN HYMN) – Eight handbells, “Surprisingly Easy”™ version

Come, Thou Almighty King is a grand hymn about our need for the Lord to have our loyalty. The tune ITALIAN HYMN was written in 1769 by Felice de Giardini, who had a thoroughgoing musical career as a violinist and composer. We published a “standard” eight-bell arrangement of this hymn sometime ago, and today we present our “Surprisingly Easy”™ version!

Come, thou almighty King / help us thy name to sing / help us to praise.
Father, all glorious / o’er all victorious / come, and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.

Come, thou incarnate Word / gird on thy mighty sword / scatter thy foes.
Let thine almighty aid / our sure defense be made / our souls on thee be stayed;
Thy wonders show.

Come, holy Comforter / thy sacred witness bear / in this glad hour.
Thou who almighty art / now rule in every heart / and ne’er from us depart,
Spirit of power.

To thee, great One in Three / eternal praises be / hence evermore!
Thy sovereign majesty / may we in glory see / and to eternity
Love and adore.

 

Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment/instrumental score(s), if part of the purchase) – 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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Jul 19

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing – “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell version!

Quite a few years back, we started writing our “Surprisingly Easy”™ arrangements to provide a less demanding approach to our eight-bell music. We were pleased to see that many duets/trios/quartets tried them, both as a way to prepare something for their church services or concerts and as an introduction to small ensemble playing. Many, many thanks to all of you who have joined us in this adventure!

Our newest “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell score is Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing. You’ll enjoy the gentle, direct way it presents this familiar hymn tune!

 

Purchasing this 8-bell score gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment/instrumental score(s), if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also grants 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.

Jul 16

Asturias (Leyenda), from “Cantas de España” – handbell solo

Isaac Albeniz wrote Cantas de España in 1892. Asturias (also known as “Leyenda”) is one of the great pieces from the Spanish classical guitar literature. Now you, the handbell soloist, can team up with your accompanist to create the same fire!

Two versions of the handbell score are included, with one being a bit less challenging than the original version.

Range of bells: A4-G7 (original version), A4-D7 (slightly modified version)


We’re awaiting delivery of the world premiere performance video… but here’s an MP3 to give you an idea of how it sounds!

 

Purchasing this score gives you permission to print and maintain the number of copies needed by your ensemble – 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.

Jul 14

I Surrender All – Eight handbells

Judson Van DeVenter, the writer of I Surrender All, shared a heartfelt message that Christians have expressed time and time again for centuries. William S. Weeden write the hymn tune that many of us know well. Our new version of this classic hymn of dedication presents the hymn tune SURRENDER in a signable fashion.

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Make my, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

 

Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment/instrumental score(s), if part of the purchase) – 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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Jul 09

Beloved Friend (Handbells, 3-7 octaves, plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 3)

Bernie Foulk 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, and especially his kindness.

This original composition came together in time for the Kalamazoo Ringers to premiere it in our 2025 spring concerts. Because of the confluence of events, we had only a couple of rehearsals to put it together, but it went very wonderfully, and it was our special way of celebrating Bernie’s effect on our lives.

In Bernie’s memory, all proceeds from sales of this work will be donated to the Kalamazoo Ringers.

 

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this score grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen work for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also grants 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.

Jun 30

Every Time I Feel the Spirit – Twelve handbells

The African-American spiritual Every Time I Feel the Spirit represents a bit of rich musical history. Many such spirituals had their origin from a time when and a place where injustice and oppression was chronic. In such circumstances, hope came from knowing that God still watched over His children, no matter where they were. Here’s our arrangement for twelve handbells!

Refrain:
Ev’ry time I feel the Spirit
moving in my heart, I will pray.
Yes, ev’ry time I feel the Spirit
moving in my heart, I will pray.

Upon the mountain when my God spoke,
out of God’s mouth came fire and smoke.
All around me, it looked so fine,
I asked my Lord if all was mine. [Refrain]

Jordan River, chilly and cold,
it chills the body, but not the soul.
There ain’t but one train that’s on this track,
it runs to heaven and runs right back. [Refrain]

 

Purchasing this 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six copies for your handbell group – 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.

Find Larry and Carla on Facebook!

Jun 29

Brother James’ Air – Twelve handbells

In 1913, James Leith Macbeth Bain composed a melody to go with the words of the 23rd Psalm; it’s recognized as BROTHER JAMES’ AIR. The tune lilts gently, reflecting on the peace and hope this psalm has given to many generations. Our arrangement for twelve handbells is available in three keys (C#5-G5, B5-F5, and F#5-C7) to suit the needs of your ensemble.

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green: he leadeth me
the quiet waters by.

My soul he doth restore again;
and me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
ev’n for his own name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
yet will I fear none ill:
For thou art with me; and thy rod
and staff me comfort still.

My table thou hast furnishèd
In presence of my foes;
My head thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me,
And in God’s house forever more
My dwelling place shall be.

 

Purchasing this 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score, if part of the purchase) – 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.

Jun 25

Silver Bells (Handbells, 3 to 7 octaves, Level 4)

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 with a cheery revision of the song he’s singing – Silver Bells.

Our thoughtful, reflective arrangement of Silver Bells is scored for three to seven octaves of handbells, plus three octaves of handchimes.

Silver bells, silver bells,
It’s Christmas time in the city,
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring,
Soon it will be Christmas Day.

Jun 05

All Things Bright and Beautiful (ROYAL OAK) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2)

Cecil Frances Alexander wrote All Things Bright and Beautiful in 1849. The joyous text and its happy melody are perfectly matched! If your ensemble is on the smaller side, this two-octave arrangement is for you!

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 glowing colors, He made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountain, the river running by,
the sunset and the morning that brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden: He made them ev’ry one.

He gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty, who has made all things well.

 

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. 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.

Find Larry and Carla on Facebook!