for 3-5 octaves handbells or handchimes
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
An arrangement of a lovely Epiphany song, which is also known as “Saw You Never, In the Twilight?” The music is based on the 15th century French melody CHARTES.
AGEHR Level: 2+
Time: ~2½ min.
composed in 2007; contact Matthew Prins for information
for 5 octaves handbells with optional flute and optional organ or C3-E3 handchimes
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
“Alleluia Sotto Voce” is written in the Taizé style: a simple melody that repeats many times with slight variations in accompaniment, creating an ethereal, meditative feeling. “Alleluia Sotto Voce” uses those musical ideas of Taizé, taking a simple 3-measure phrase and building different accompaniments and countermelodies on top of it before deconstructing it and returning to the simple, 3-measure phrase.
AGEHR Level: 2+
Time: ~4 min.
Published in 2008 by From the Top Music
[buy from From the Top Music] [buy from Handbell World]
for 3-5 octaves of handbells or handchimes, or with optional 3-5 octaves handchimes
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The most well-known settings of “Ave Maria,” Bach/Gounod and Schubert, are included in one edition as two separate works. The Bach/Gounod version is for 3-5 octaves of handbells or chimes. The Schubert setting can be performed on 3-5 octaves of handbells with an optional 3-5 octaves of chimes. Both are brilliant choices for worship, weddings, concerts, and festivals.
AGEHR Level: 2+
Time: ~3 min. each
Published in 2007 by GIA Publications
[buy from GIA Publications] [buy from Handbell World]
for 2-3 octaves handbells with optional 2 octaves handchimes
A relatively straightforward arrangement of the 1877 William Sherwin tune.
AGEHR Level: 2
Time: ~2½ min.
composed in 2006; contact Matthew Prins for information
for 2-3 octaves handbells
Afraid of handbell tecnhiques? Then certainly stay away from this piece, which includes practically every ring, mart, touch, shake, or mallet you can think of.
AGEHR Level: 2
Time: ~2½ min.
composed in 2006; contact Matthew Prins for more information
for 3-5 octaves handbells
A Lenten arrangement of the hymn tune HEINLEIN. Includes scripture references throughout the song.
AGEHR Level: 2+
Time: ~3½ min.
composed in 2005; contact Matthew Prins for information
for 3-5 octaves handbells and optional alto soloist
An interlude based on the English tune “Greensleeves.” Very open arrangement. Optional soloist sings the second verse and refrain and the third refrain.
AGEHR Level: 2+
Time: ~2 min.
composed in 2008; contact Matthew Prins for more information
for 3-5 octaves handbells
An arrangement of the classic Christmas song; lots of use of techniques. Under copyright; not available for performance without original publisher’s written permission.
AGEHR Level: 2+
Time: ~2½ min.
arranged in 2006; contact Matthew Prins for information
for 2-4 octaves handbells or handbell trio, quartet, or quintet
A meditatative handbell piece that lets the bells ring from beginning to end — the bells don’t damp until the very last note. Last page gives playing instructions to perform as a handbell trio, quartet, or quintet with various levels of difficulty.
Premiered by the Bells of Dundee, January 27, 2008; First Congregational Church of Dundee, West Dundee, Ill.
AGEHR Level: 2+
Time: ~2 min.
Published in 2008 by High Meadow Music Publishing
[buy from Handbell World]
for 3 octaves handbells or handchimes
A simple minor-key arrangement of “Joy to the World” that hints at events to come in Jesus’ life. Appropriate for a Christmas meditation or for Holy Week.
AGEHR Level: 2+
Time: ~2½ min.
composed in 2005; contact Matthew Prins for more information
for 2-4 octaves handbells or handchimes
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
A hauntingly beautiful arrangement of the hymn tune “Morning Song” that can be played in its entirety with handchimes or with mallets on suspended bells, LV throughout, producing an etherial sound. This piece is appropriate in any venue: church, community concerts or schools.
AGEHR Level: 2
Time: ~3½ min.
Published in 2006 by From the Top Music
[buy from From the Top Music] [buy from Handbell World]
for 3-5 octaves handbells
A somewhat fantasy-esque arrangement of the classic hymn tune.
AGEHR Level: 2+
Time: ~3 min.
arranged in 2006; contact Matthew Prins for more information
for 5 octaves handbells
A very short and straightforward arrangement of the classic baseball tune.
Premiered by the James River Ringers, May 20, 2007; Church of the Epiphany, Richmond, Va.
AGEHR Level: 2
Time: ~1 min.
arranged in 2007; contact Matthew Prins for more information
for 3-5 octaves of handbells
This collection of ten Christmas hymn introductions provides an opportunity to incorporate handbell into congregational hymn singing during the Christmas season. The collection includes 3-5 octave handbell introductions plus harmonizations for one verse of ten popular Christmas carols. The introductions are for bell choir only and the harmonizations can stand alone or augment the standard keyboard accompaniment.
AGEHR Level: 2+
Time: less than 1 min. each
Published in 2008 by Hope Publishing
[buy from Hope Publishing] [buy from Handbell World]
for 2 octaves handbells
Three short original sacred pieces, all written for two octaves of handbells.
AGEHR Level: 2+
Time: ~2 min. each
to be published in 2009
for 3-5 octaves handbells
An arrangement of the well-known modern hymn written by David Hass. Under copyright; not available for performance without original publisher’s written permission.
AGEHR Level: 2+
Time: ~3 min.
arranged in 2006; contact Matthew Prins for more information