The spiritual Let Us Break Bread Together has simple, yet profound words. It’s a communion song that puts absolute and everlasting reliance on the mercy and grace of God. Our setting for two to three octaves of handbells will bring a peaceful touch to your service or music presentation. Let us break bread together on …
Tag: handbell choir
A handbell choir is an ensemble of handbell musicians, each of whom usually has a specific subset of the entire set of bells assigned to them. The group members play the entire score by their combined efforts via a unique type of teamwork where expression and musicality are dependent on the ensemble members fusing their efforts to form a greater whole.
The sets of handbells played by handbell choirs vary in size, usually stated as an integral number of octaves. For instance, a three-octave bell choir uses notes from C4 to C7, while a seven-octave choir plays C2-C9.
Handbell choirs also use additional instruments, the most notable being handchimes. Handchimes bring a different sound to the mix, and are used for effect and contrast. Other ancillary instruments include, flute, trumpet, clarinet, and percussion; of the percussion family, the cajón is perhaps one of the more popular recent additions.
Mar 10
I Sing the Mighty Power of God (ELLACOMBE) (Handbells, 3 to 5 octaves, Level 3+)
The Bible says that it is the Person and power of the Lord Jesus Christ that holds the universe from falling apart. That’s true not only in physics, but also in our own lives as well. Our new arrangement of I Sing the Mighty Power of God has some delightful counterpoint that will challenge your …
Mar 07
Snow (Handbells, 3 octaves, Level 1+)
I love living in Michigan. The rotation of the seasons give me something to love every month, and something fresh to do every three months. Okay… mowing in the spring and summer, raking in the autumn, and shoveling in the winter. But it’s exercise, and I’m in better shape for it! In the handbell world, …
Feb 21
We have a new video for Rescue (for handbell choir, 3 to 7 octaves)!
We published Rescue, an original handbell piece for three to seven octaves, some time ago. Now we’ve made a new video! Rescue draws a picture of a bit of the composer’s own life story… but while the details aren’t shared here, perhaps you can think of a time when your own path was dark and …
Feb 17
Those Were the Days by Gene Raskin – new video!
We released our five-octave handbell arrangement of Gene Raskin’s Those Were the Days a little while ago, and now we’re pleased to share our new video, complete with tambourine, flute, wood block, and kazoos. We hope you enjoy watching it! Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up …
Feb 14
Five (handbells, 3-5 octaves, Level 2+)
We’ve produced a new five-octave video of Five, our (Larry and Carla’s) fifth-anniversary handbell piece. It’s Level 2+, and you’ll have fun looking for all the “fives” written into the score! Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the …
Feb 10
Jesus, Lover of My Soul (ABERYSTWYTH)(Handbells, 3 to 5 octaves, Level 3)
This week, we have a new handbell arrangement of Jesus, Lover of My Soul, based on the hymn tune ABERYSTWYTH. This is normally a minor key melody, but in the second verse of the score it moves nicely into major key. We hope you enjoy playing it, and that your congregation is brought closer to …
Feb 03
Newness (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves, Level 1)
The Bible tells us to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). It’s all about the beauty and joy of a redeemed soul experiencing God’s love and guidance from day to day and minute to minute. This original piece depicts how that newness feels. We’ve had this original handbell work in Level 2/3 form for …
Jan 20
America the Beautiful (AMERICA/MATERNA) – Handbells, 3 to 5 octaves, Level 4
I think of America the Beautiful as a “wannabe national anthem”, because it says so much about what matters in the country where I live. Our Level 4 arrangement for three to five octaves of handbells will sparkle in your church service or patriotic gathering. O beautiful for spacious skies / For amber waves of …
Jan 17
New “Newness” video!
We’ve continued to make videos of our works for handbell choir. Here’s a new five-octave version of Newness, an original work for three or five octaves of handbells, plus three octaves of handchimes. Newness can be played either as a Level 2 or a Level 3 piece. To play it as a Level 2 piece, …