We’ve been getting some hopeful messages asking about when we’ll be creating another one of our “Surprisingly Easy” collections. One friend even said that she’s found them to be very useful for teaching her ringers “four in hand” ringing, while others have said they’re having fun. So… we’ve just released our third (!) “Surprisingly Easy” …
Tag: 8-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.
As eight-bell repertoire works well with a two-in-hand quartet (two bells each) or a four-in-hand duo, or with a trio where the bells are divided 4-2-2 or 3-3-2. We've even seen one instance of playing eight-bell music with eight ringers with one bell apiece, a la Sacred Harp.
Oct 18
The Most-Requested Handbell Piece of All?
We’ve finally created an arrangement of Mykola Leontovych’s “Ukrainian Bell Carol”, probably better-known as “Carol of the Bells”. We speculate that it’s the most-requested handbell piece of all time, if only because of the title (and Christmas advertisements!). So if you’re a four-in-hand duet, you can have this in your repertoire and not disappoint those …
Oct 14
Advent is soon… and here’s another piece to play!
As you may know, plainchant was one of the great expressions of church music. It’s been that way for hundreds of years – and some of the songs from those times are still with us. We’ve set Divinum Mysterium (aka “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”) for eight handbells, and think it will go well with …
Oct 04
But while you look forward to Christmas… another collection!
We’re gearing up for Christmas (because we have to practice our music now to be ready in time…)! It’s an exciting time of year because we love the holidays so much. We really, really love sharing new music with all of you, because it means you can get something to add to your repertoire as …
Sep 14
Christmas is on the Way!
Yes, it’s pretty early to be thinking about Christmas shopping – but not about rehearsing for the holiday season! Most of the handbell directors (and choral directors, too) we know, start choosing their season’s music in August or September so they can focus on the music when everyone’s together. We’ve posted our first new Christmas …
Aug 11
A New Collection!
We’ve (finally!) put together our first collection of eight-bell hymns! It’s a set of eight arrangements that you can use throughout the year, so you can use it as the bulk of your small ensemble pieces for a whole season (adding in other pieces for Christmas, of course!) – or you can even play them …
Jul 13
To a Wild Rose
We have a new eight-bell arrangement! It’s Edward MacDowell’s “To A Wild Rose”, and it’s perfect for that one-minute spot that you have in your service or program. We have a feeling that many of you have played this on the piano… have fun!
Mar 07
New Music!
We’ve just posted two new eight-bell arrangments! “O Sacred Head” – the well-known Crucifixion hymn is here, and just in time for you to be learn it for your Good Friday service! “Kingsfold” (aka “Oh, Sing a Song of Bethlehem”) is a fairly easy hymn arrangement that would be great for your season-end concerts (or …
Feb 03
Our Second “Surprisingly Easy” Collection
We have a new “Surprisingly Easy” collection in our catalog! For lack of a more flamboyant title, it’s called the “Surprisingly Easy Eight-Bell Collection (The Second One). Most of the selections therein are from the United Kingdom, and Waltzing Matilda fills out the set nicely. We hope you take a look at the videos, and …
Oct 18
Finally! Finally! :D
At long last I’ve gotten to the point of having new music to sell! It took a lot to get there… and now that Carla, my wife and ringing partner is here, we can make videos of the new eight-bell arrangements. (Other ideas are in progress for working with bigger-than-duet compositions…). You’ll find them under …