Edmund Sears wrote the words to It Came Upon the Midnight Clear in 1849, and it’s sung on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean (just with different tunes). This arrangement is to the American melody, CAROL, composed by Richard Storrs Willis. It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending …
Tag: 6-bell
Starting in 2012, we (Larry and Carla Sue) developed a large repertoire of music for eight handbells which we perform as four-in-hand duets. These pieces ranged from fairly simple to maniacally difficult, and eventually led to the creation of their "Surprisingly Easy"™ eight-bell arrangements so that there would be more options for the ringing world at large.
Larry had shoulder surgery in early 2020, and Carla suggested creating a new lie of music for six accompanied handbells. The "accompaniment" part came about, of course, because six bells result in sacrificing at least one scale tone to satisfy the numeric constraint. Surprisingly, six-bell pieces have turned out to be a rich field for exploration.
As eight-bell repertoire works well with a two-in-hand quartet (two bells each) or a four-in-hand duo, six-bell repertoire works nicely with a two-in-hand trio or a "four-in-hand sesquisoloist" (one-and-a-half four-in-hand players).
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 …
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (VENI EMMANUEL) – Six handbells and piano
The Advent song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel as we know it today, is adapted from a fifteenth-century French melody, but may originate from as far back as possibly the 12th century. It first appeared in English as translated by John M. Neale in 1851. It’s a prayer by those who hoped that the Christ …
Aug 31
Simple Gifts – for six accompanied handbells
Shaker songs are fantastically good as six-bell music! “‘Tis a gift to be simple”, yes… but this arrangement is a lot of fun to play! ‘Tis a gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free ‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in the …
Simple Gifts – Six handbells and piano
Shaker songs are fantastically good as six-bell music! “‘Tis a gift to be simple”, yes… but this arrangement of Simple Gifts is a lot of fun to play! ‘Tis a gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free ‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find …
Aug 24
Al die willen te kaap’ren varen – for six accompanied handbells
Clearly, there’s a tiny bit of (ancient) gender bias when you announce “all who want to be privateers, must be bearded men”. But eating rancid bread doesn’t sound like much fun. Perhaps it’s a somewhat silly song in today’s world, but it’s fun to play! Al die willen te kaap’ren varen Moeten mannen met baarden …
Al die willen te kaap’ren varen – Six handbells and piano
Clearly, there’s a tiny bit of (ancient) gender bias when you announce that all who want to be privateers (Al die willen te kaap’ren varen) must be bearded men. But eating rancid bread doesn’t sound like much fun. Perhaps it’s a somewhat silly song in today’s world, but it’s fun to play! Al die willen …
Aug 17
Nyanyikanlah (NYANYIKANLAH) – for six accompanied handbells
Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of the Indonesian melody NYANYKANLAH (translated as “Hallelujah!”) 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 by piano; …
Nyanyikanlah (NYANYIKANLAH) – Six handbells and piano
Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of the Indonesian melody NYANYIKANLAH (translated as “Hallelujah!”) 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 by piano; …
Aug 03
Kingsfold – for six handbells and piano
This venerable English tune, placed into the modern hymnody by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1906, takes on a new introspective feel in our eight-bell arrangement. It also is known as Star of the County Down. Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of the hymn tune KINGSFOLD provides an opportunity to play as a two-bells-each trio. Another possibility …
