Choraegus has an assortment of eight-bell classical selections. We’ve found them equally effective in church, secular, and concert settings, where they can be highlights of an event or accent pieces that offset other parts of our repertoire. Because they range in difficulty from fairly easy (St. Anthony Chorale) to quite advanced (Vivaldi’s Allegro, our classical eight-bell scores afford a selection that’s just right for your skill level.
Eight-Bell Classical
List of Classical Scores for Eight Handbells
Here’s a quick list of our eight-bell classical scores. TITLE HYMN TUNE Standard “Surprisingly Easy”™ Accompaniment available Bach – Arioso x Bach – Sheep May Safely Graze x Beethoven – Ode to Joy x Charpentier – Prelude from “Te Deum” x Chopsticks x Elgar – Land of Hope and Glory x Franck – Panis Angelicus …
Bach – Arioso – Eight handbells
Arioso by J.S. Bach has been a wedding favorite for centuries. Our arrangement for eight handbells is suitable for such a celebration anywhere! Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package (PDF): $ US G5-based practice MP3: $ US F5-based practice MP3: $ US Standard Version: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and …
Bach – Sheep May Safely Graze – Eight handbells
Sheep May Safely Graze is a peaceful (yes, “pastoral”) Bach piece that speaks of quietude and assurance. Our arrangement for eight handbells will enhance any occasion. Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package (PDF): $ US G5-based practice MP3: $ US F5-based practice MP3: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain …
Beethoven – Ode to Joy – Eight handbells
Beethoven wrote nine symphonies. He was an amazing composer, creating wonderful music during his later years even though he had gone deaf. One of his best known symphonic melodies in the choral world is the “Ode to Joy” from his final symphony, the tune for the hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee. Joyful, joyful, we …
Charpentier – Prelude from “Te Deum” – Eight handbells
The prelude from Charpentier’s Te Deum fits nicely into just eight bells! Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package (PDF): $ US G5-based practice MP3: $ US F5-based practice MP3: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score, if part …
Chopsticks – Eight handbells
A possible background for our eight-bell arrangement of Chopsticks: There’s a famous story about how a little boy found his way onto the great Ignacy Paderewski’s piano bench before a concert, and, oblivious to the audience, began playing Euphemia Allen’s world-famous 1877 hit Chopsticks. The ticket-holders in the seats were shocked, and angrily wanted the …
Elgar – Land of Hope and Glory – Eight handbells
Elgar’s processional Land of Hope and Glory is a section of his larger work Pomp and Circumstance. It often serves as graduation music the United States. Here’s our “surprisingly easy” eight-bell arrangement of this classic. Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free, How shall we extol thee, who are born of thee? Wider …
Franck – Panis Angelicus – Eight handbells
Here’s our eight-bell arrangement of Cesar Franck’s famous setting, Panis Angelicus, of St. Thomas Aquinas’ words – we think this version would be positively charming at a wedding! Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package (PDF): $ US G5-based practice MP3: $ US F5-based practice MP3: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print …
Handel – Air from Water Music Suite in F Major (HWV 348) – Eight handbells
G.F. Handel spent some years in England, and at one point wrote music for King George I that was to be played not just at, but on (a barge on) the River Thames. He create three such “Water Music” suites of music, and it’s our pleasure to bring you the Air from the suite in …
Handel – Bourée from Water Music Suite in D Major (HWV 349) – Eight handbells
G.F. Handel spent some years in England, and at one point wrote music for King George I that was to be played not just at, but on (a barge on) the River Thames. His “Water Music” suite in D major includes this bourée, which we have arranged for eight handbells. Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package …
MacDowell – To a Wild Rose – Eight handbells
Edward MacDowell was an American composer who wrote many pieces about nature. To a Wild Rose, a piece or a mere one-minute duration, is one of his all-time hits, and here is presented in eight-handbell form. Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package (PDF): $ US G5-based practice MP3: $ US F5-based practice MP3: $ US Purchasing …
Mouret – Rondeau – Eight handbells
Jean-Joseph Mouret wrote this famous rondeau in the eighteenth century – you might know it as the theme music from “Masterpiece Theater” (uh… “Theatre”). Now you can play it with eight handbells! Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package (PDF): $ US G5-based practice MP3: $ US F5-based practice MP3: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives …
Sibelius – Finlandia – Eight handbells
Sibelius composed Finlandia as a musical protest against the Russian Empire. The entire work is a majestic presentation that tells the story of the Finnish struggle against tyranny. It’s full of musical pictures of what that part of history was like, and fits well into the eight-bell world. Finland, behold, thy daylight now is dawning, …
St. Anthony Chorale – Eight handbells
Joseph Haydn wrote his St. Anthony Chorale in the 18th century. It’s a lovely piece from the Classical period which will work well as an eight-bell prelude or offertory. Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package (PDF): $ US G5-based practice MP3: $ US F5-based practice MP3: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to …
Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker – Eight handbells
We thought it would be fun to see whether something from Tchaikowsky’s Nutcracker could be played with eight bells. Imagine our surprise when we found that eight pieces from his masterpiece worked! If you want a special challenge, these arrangements are for you! Their technical difficulties, for most, will make arrival at performance quality feel …
The Prince of Denmark’s March – Eight handbells
You might know the Prince of Denmark’s March as Trumpet Voluntary by Purcell. While there appears to be some historical debate as to he or Jeremiah Clarke was the actual composer, there’s no doubt that it can make a wedding wonderful. Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package (PDF): $ US G5-based practice MP3: $ US F5-based …
Vivaldi – Allegro (RV 522, First Movement) – Eight handbells
If you look through Vivaldi’s compositions, there are quite a few concerti in A minor. One of the most famous of those is identified as “RV 522” – and you’ll probably recognize its first movement Allegro. Here is our eight-bell adaptation of this Baroque masterpiece by the virtuoso violinist known as the “Red Priest”. Standard …
Vivaldi – Larghetto (RV 522, Second Movement) – Eight handbells
Vivaldi’s music has provided enjoyment to millions and millions of people for the last three hundred years. Here’s our eight-bell arrangement of Larghetto, the second movement of his famous A minor concerto (RV 522). Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package (PDF): $ US G5-based practice MP3: $ US F5-based practice MP3: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell …
Wagner – Bridal Chorus – Eight handbells
Wagner’s Bridal Chorus (aka Here comes the bride) has been a wedding standard for a long, long time. Here it is as one of our eight-bell duets! Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package (PDF): $ US G5-based practice MP3: $ US F5-based practice MP3: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and …