Matthew Prins, composer

Matthew Prins, composer | list of works header image 4

Music Listed as bells with optional chimes

“Alleluia Sotto Voce”

for 5 octaves handbells with optional flute and optional organ or C3-E3 handchimes

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[preview score]

“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]



“Ave Maria (Two Settings)”

for 3-5 octaves of handbells or handchimes, or with optional 3-5 octaves handchimes

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[preview score]

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
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“Born is the King of Israel”

for 3-5 octaves of handbells with optional 2 octaves handchimes

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[preview score]

Review from Overtones, July/August 2007: “…a richly harmonized medley of ”Twas in the Moon of Wintertime,’ ‘God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,’ ‘The Coventry Carol,’ and ‘The First Noel’….a striking arrangement, juxtaposing tunes and using techniques as an integral part of the orchestration of the piece.”

AGEHR Level: 4+
Time: ~5 min.
Published in 2007 by GIA Publications
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“Break Thou the Bread of Life”

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



“Fantasie on ‘Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart’”

for 3-5 octaves handbells with optional 3 octaves handchimes

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[preview score]

Mystical and ethereal are adjectives that could be used to describe this setting of the hymn “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart.” Writing in 6/8 time with a running eighth note pattern in the bass, unexpected harmonies in the treble and liberal use of LV, this is a lovely and unusual arrangement of this hymn of meditation.

AGEHR Level: 3+
Time: ~2½ min.
Published in 2007 by From the Top Music
[buy from From the Top Music] [buy from Handbell World]



“Good Vibrations”

for 4-6 octaves handbells with optional 2 octaves handchimes

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[preview score]

Pull out your sunglasses and surf board! The Beach Boys have come to the handbell world! You can now “rock on” with your handbells as you ring this classic tune from the 60’s. With a title of “Good Vibrations” it had to be arranged for handbells!

AGEHR Level: 5
Time: ~3½ min.
Published in 2007 by From the Top Music
[buy from From the Top Music] [buy from Handbell World]



“Lord, to Thee I Make Confession”

for 3-5 octaves handbells and optional 2 octaves handchimes

A dark arrangement of the dark Johann Cruger hymn.

AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~3 min.
to be published in 2009



“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”

for 3-5 octaves handbells (with optional 2 octaves handchimes) and string quartet

A meditative arrangement of the Lenten hymn for handbells and strings. Some optional use of the singing bell technique.

AGEHR Level: 3+
Time: ~4 min.
arranged in 2008; contact Matthew Prins for more information