I love the hymns my church sang when I was a teenager. This one was always an expression of the total joy that comes from relying on God’s power to live life. Here’s our twelve-bell arrangement of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms! Update, January 2021: We’ve decided to take another look at this, and are …
Tag: hymn
Hymns are the musical substance of the traditional church. They typically have high doctrinal content with classical/choral music. Many of the older (up to the 20th century) were written with four choral parts for choirs to sing.
Modern hymnals go beyond this definition, however, because continuing history provides more and more choices of music for worship. New hymnals include more international and contemporary songs as well. This is in keeping with the definition "hymn: a religious song or poem of praise to God".
Jul 04
Beach Spring – for Twelve Handbells
The tune BEACH SPRING has been used as the setting for many hymn texts. Chances are that you’ll have at least one of them in your hymnal! Just to name a few: Come, All Christians, Be Committed As a Fire is Meant for Burning God of Day and God of Darkness Come and Find the …
Jun 27
Ah, Holy Jesus – Twelve Handbells
Here’s our twelve-bell arrangement of Johann Crüger’s Good Friday hymn!
Mar 28
“All Things Bright and Beautiful” for Twelve Bells!
Here’s our new twelve-bell arrangement of All Things Bright and Beautiful (hymn tune ROYAL OAK)! We’re sure you’ll have a wonderful time playing it. As always, there are versions for ranges C5-G6 and F5-C7.
Jan 17
Give Me Jesus
The new year is bringing new music for you to play! Here’s our twelve-bell arrangement of the spiritual Give Me Jesus. Have a listen!
Oct 23
Kelvingrove
A few years back, we published a 2-3 octave arrangement of the Scottish melody KELVINGROVE (also known in modern hymnody as The Summons/Will You Come and Follow Me). Our attempts to get a video of it being played failed back then, and so we had to settle for an MP3. However, the handbell choir at …
Jul 16
I Vow to Thee (THAXTED) for Eight Handbells
I Vow to Thee, My Country is based on the THAXTED theme from the “Jupiter” movement of Gustav Holst’s suite The Planets. In the United Kingdom, it’s sung to words written by Cecil Spring-Rice about dedication to God and country. In some US hymnals, this melody is matched to O God, Beyond All Praising. This …
Jul 12
All Things Bright and Beautiful
We have a lively new arrangement of this pretty hymn. There are plenty of stopped sounds (mallets, thumb damps, martellati…) to keep your ringers fascinated, and the syncopated melody is delightful. We’re certain your congregation/audience will love this one! Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to …
Jul 05
For the Beauty of the Earth
For the Beauty of the Earth is our newest arrangement for three to five octaves of handbells plus two octaves of (optional) handchimes. Do take a look at it! Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy …
Jun 14
Let All Things Now Living – more accessible, just as much fun…
A few years back, I wrote an arrangement of Let All Things Now Living in the unusual time signature of 11/8. That alone elevated it to an AGEHR Level 5+, but despite that it’s still making the rounds with advanced ringers. It was time to offer something for those who aspire (but, perhaps, are still …