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 who will be blessed to follow its summons into the presence of God. For them, it means the final journey has been accomplished, and that their reward is sure.
This piece was written for the Siskiyou Summit Handbell Conference in Ashland, Oregon. For this festival, all of the massed and division pieces follow a common thread. The repertorial theme selected for 2015 was “water”.
“The Final Crossing” is scored for 3-6 octaves of handbells plus chimes D4-D6. There also is a solo part for piccolo or regular trumpet which is provided in the original spectacular (“unearthly”?) form as well as a simplified version which is more accessible. If you don’t have a trumpeter available, a concert key version that can be played on synthesizer is also with the score
This piece is a perfect selection for All Saints’ Day!
Handbells (three, four, five, or six octaves) plus handchimes (2 octaves)
Level 3-
Rehearsal video of the Area 8 Bronzefest Ensemble from Omaha, Nebraska
Preview:
Individual version: $5.00 US
Handbell choir version: $30.00 US
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.
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We expect to be at the Siskiyou Summit Festival in May. Do I order individual version parts of The Final Crossing for each position, or is the Full-choir version what we need? What is in the full-choir version?
Thanks!
Author
Hi Steven!
If your entire choir is coming, then the full-choir version should be your best deal. If just a few friends are coming with you, then you might prefer that many copies of the individual version (but then, if you plan to perform it at home at some point, you might be back to the first choice).
The scores are the same, except that they’re marked to indicate which version you have (that’s for the benefit of event organizers who might check for properly-authorized copies of music).
See you in Ashland!
Larry :)…
There are only 7 of us in my choir. If I order the full voice choir (which is cheaper) are there enough copies for all of us? Or should I order 7 individual versions?
Looking forward to the festival.
Sue Badgett, Joybells of Christ’s Church in Monmouth
Author
Hi Sue,
The “full choir” version allows you to maintain up to fifteen copies of the score for your ensemble’s use, so I think that’s your best choice – that way, if your bell choir grows, you’ll be ready.
See you in Ashland!