The Church has worshipped the Creator with this hymn for centuries. Here’s our arrangement for sixteen handbells, suitable for four to eight ringers. We’ve also made it available in two versions: C5-A6 (three octaves) and G4-E6 (two octaves). All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voice and with us sing, alleluia, alleluia! …
Tag: handbells
Handbells were invented in 17-century England as a practice tool for tower bell ringers. They could then rehearse in warmer and cheerier places than belfries - to wit, the local pubs. At some point, someone noticed that it was possible to play tunes (rather than just "changes") on handbells, and so "tune ringing" began. The music available from Choraegus followed the tune ringing tradition as practiced and performed in the modern era,
Sep 03
Away in a Manger (NORMANDY) – accompanied handbell duet
Our handbell duet Away in a Manger is an arrangement of the slightly less familiar NORMANDY tune. It still is lovely and thoughtful… just in a different way. This duet score is relatively easy, but expressive in the spirit of the melody. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus …
Aug 30
Somebody Loves Me (Handbells, 5-7 octaves, Level 5)
This joyous song by Buddy DeSylva, Ballard MacDonald, and George Gershwin entered the public domain in 2020. It’s our pleasure to bring our handbell arrangement of it to you! Somebody loves me, I wonder who, I wonder who she can be, Somebody needs me, I wish that I knew Who she can be worries me. …
Aug 24
Hooray! We have a new video of Sing We Now of Christmas
We have a new clone video of our three-to-five-octave arrangement of Sing We Now of Christmas (aka Now the Green Blade Riseth)! This arrangement was written for the Carillon Choir of the Third Reformed Church of Holland, Michigan.
Aug 16
Wexford Carol – for sixteen handbells
Wexford Carol is a traditional Irish Christmas song from long ago (historians put its origin in the 15th or 16th century). It’s unusual in that the melody has some wonderful accidentals. This arrangement for sixteen handbells sets the melody line in mysterious, mildly (and pleasantly!) dissonant chords reflective of a lone singer wandering on the …
Aug 12
The Lord is My Shepherd (POLAND) for handbell choir
Caroline Harnly, a longtime friend and director of the San Francisco State University Handbell Choir, commissioned this arrangement of the POLAND hymn tune in honor of her mother. It’s for four to five octaves of handbells plus two octaves of handchimes, and is Level 3. Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission …
Aug 09
Dance of the Sugar Plum Sumo Fairy – for bass handbell trio
Tchaikovsky created one of the all-time holiday season favorites when he wrote the Nutcracker Suite in 1892. There’s a good chance you’ve seen more than just a small part of it at a December ballet presentation. The Dance of the Candy Fairy (or Sugar Plum Fairy) was a sensation at its premiere, because Tchaikovsky chose …
Aug 05
A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth (AN WASSERFLÜSSEN BABYLON) (Handbells, 3-5 octaves plus handchimes, 3 octaves, Level 3-)
The hymn tune AN WASSERFLÜSSEN BABYLON dates from the sixteenth century. It’s from the Strassburger Kirchenant of 1525. We’ve found it to be a bit of an earworm, probably because of its harmonies. We hope you enjoy playing our Level 3- arrangement for three to five octaves of handbells. A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth, The …
Aug 02
Larry and Carla’s Sixth “Surprisingly Easy”™ Eight-Bell Hymn Collection !!!
Our sixth (!) collection of “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell hymns is like our previous five collections. It contains music that you can prepare relatively quickly, and which will enhance your worship service. You can play this music with two four-in-hand ringers… or you could have four ringers with two bells each. Beginning ringers will have fun …
Jul 29
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (BRADBURY) for twelve handbells plus piano
We present our first score for twelve handbells and piano. It’s an arrangement of Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us that’s fairly easy to learn. And despite having no bell changes, there are sections in different keys! As usual, this score is available in C5-G6 and F5-C7 versions. There is an accompaniment track corresponding to …