The hymn tune DIX is usually sung with the texts For the Beauty of the Earth and As with Gladness Men of Old (the latter most often at Christmas). We started with what we considered our standard version, and now we have a “Surprisingly Easy”™ one! For the beauty of the earth, For the glory …
Tag: Larry Sue
Larry Sue is the owner, composer/arranger, and publisher at Choraegus. He and his wife Carla are West Michigan's Smallest Handbell Ensemble.
Mar 04
O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go – Eight handbells, “Surprisingly Easy”™ version
O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go is a lovely hymn that reminds us of the infinitely deep peace and protection that God offers those who trust Him. Today we’re publishing our “Surprisingly Easy”™ arrangement of this hymn! O love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I …
Feb 27
ATTENDE DOMINE – Eight handbells
The plainchant Draw Near, O Lord has a double origin, with its Latin text from the 10th century and its melody from the 19th century. It is often referred to as the “Lent[en] Prose”. Our new arrangement for eight handbells is straightforward to play, with lots of LV to sound like an ancient stone monastery. …
Nov 21
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies (RATISBON) – Eight handbells, “Surprisingly Easy”™ version
Charles Wesley was a prolific eighteenth-century hymnwriter, producing over 6,000 hymns over most of a century. Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies speaks of the brightness and glory in a life with the Savior, and reminds us of the darkness and despair of existence without Him. You’ll enjoy playing our new “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell arrangement …
Oct 12
Now Thank We All Our God (NUN DANKET) – Sixteen handbells and piano
In the U.S., Now Thank We All Our God is one of the hymns that makes an annual appearance in November (because of the national Thanksgiving holiday, of course)… but it really can (should?) be played all year round! You can play our arrangement for sixteen accompanied handbells with four to eight ringers. If you …
Oct 04
We Gather Together/We Praise Thee, O God Our Redeemer (KREMSER) – Sixteen handbells and piano
The hymn We Praise Thee, O God Our Redeemer, also sung as We Gather Together, was adapted from a sixteenth-century Dutch folk song, and endures in our hymnody as a glorious way for us to turn our hearts to God. Our new arrangement for sixteen accompanied handbells will brighten your Thanksgiving service! sixteen handbells. We …
Jul 31
Deck the Halls – Twelve handbells
This boisterous – yes… that seems to be an appropriate choice of words! – arrangement of a 16th century Welsh tune Nos Galan is tremendous fun to play. Fa la la la la la la la! Deck the halls with boughs of holly Fa la la la la, la la la la Tis the season …
Jul 28
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (INFANT HOLY, INFANT LOWLY) – Twelve handbells
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly is a reflection on the wonder of the Christ Child in the manger – it’s the mystery of God coming to live among us on earth. You’ll enjoy playing our new twelve-bell arrangement of this carol! Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing Christ …
Jul 24
Come Thou Almighty King (ITALIAN HYMN) – Eight handbells, “Surprisingly Easy”™ version
Come, Thou Almighty King is a grand hymn about our need for the Lord to have our loyalty. The tune ITALIAN HYMN was written in 1769 by Felice de Giardini, who had a thoroughgoing musical career as a violinist and composer. We published a “standard” eight-bell arrangement of this hymn sometime ago, and today we …
Jul 19
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing – “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell version!
Quite a few years back, we started writing our “Surprisingly Easy”™ arrangements to provide a less demanding approach to our eight-bell music. We were pleased to see that many duets/trios/quartets tried them, both as a way to prepare something for their church services or concerts and as an introduction to small ensemble playing. Many, many …