We have a few “standard” eight-bell collections. These are more challenging than our “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell collections; they’ll keep you on your toes for a while! We have a jig collection. These are five Irish jigs, arranged for just eight handbells. As we learned them, we found that they were not just fun to play …
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,
Larry and Carla’s Second “Surprisingly Easy”™ Eight-Bell Hymn Collection
We’re still finding more and more music that can be played with eight bells, so we’ve decided to make a second collection of “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell hymns. We think you’ll enjoy playing these as much as the first “Surprisingly Easy”™ Hymn Collection. You can play this music with two four-in-hand ringers… or you could have …
Larry and Carla’s Third “Surprisingly Easy”™ Eight-Bell Hymn Collection
Our third (!) collection of “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell hymns is like our first and second collections. A new twist is that this collection has several somewhat longer (as in three-page) arrangements, so now you can more easily select pieces to match the time you need to play in your church service. You can play this …
Jun 20
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Difficult times provide opportunities for all-too-rare people to show incredible character. I’ve been following the news a bit in the wake of the church shootings in Charleston – a horrific crime and tremendous injustice – and have been amazed at how the folks at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church are willing to offer forgiveness …
Shenandoah – Twelve handbells
The American folk tune Shenandoah, also known as “Across the Wide Missouri”, speaks of journeying through the American Midwest. It’s idyllic tune has inspired many settings – and here’s the twelve-bell one! O Shenandoah, I long to hear you Away, you rolling river O Shenandoah, I long to hear you Away, I’m bound away ‘Cross …
We Three Kings – Twelve handbells
We Three Kings tells of special visitors on the first Epiphany. Well… in actuality the Bible doesn’t say precisely how many wise men visited the Christ Child in the Bethlehem manger. But it does record that they brought three special gifts – gold, frankincense, and myrrh – so that seems to hint that there might …
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (CAROL) – Twelve handbells
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 …
Ding Dong, Merrily on High – Twelve-Handbell Version
The sixteenth-century English tune Ding Dong, Merrily on High is quite popular at Christmas. It reflects the joy of the season, and invites us to share in the joy of heaven at the birth of the Son of God. Ding dong merrily on high, / In heav’n the bells are ringing: Ding dong! verily the …
Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella – Twelve handbells
In this charming sixteenth-century French carol Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella, a young girl is sent to bring a torch/candle to bring light to the stable where the Christ Child sleeps. Un flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle, Un flambeau, courons au berceau! C’est Jésus, bonnes gens du hameau, Le Christ est né, Marie appelle, Ah! Ah! que …
Angels We Have Heard on High – Twelve handbells
The Christmas carol Angels We Have Heard on High, sung to the French tune GLORIA is one of rejoicing! Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains …
