Music Listed as with score preview
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
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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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for handbell duet (4-5 octaves) with piano accompaniment
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[preview score]
Based on the hymn tunes SLANE and FINLANDIA, this handbell duet was created for BELL a DEUX (Ron Bellamy and Bobbi Schmid). The sensitive arrangement intertwines the two melodies and includes the use of a bell tree in one section. The packet includes 2 copies of the handbell part and the piano accompaniment.
Level: MD
Time: ~4½ min.
Published in 2006 by From the Top Music
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for handbell quartet (4 octaves)
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[preview score]
Although Scott Joplin never wrote music for handbells, his compositions certainly sound like they were meant to be rung. Bethena demonstrates this perfectly. Written in 3/4 time, it presents moderate challenges for the ensemble ringers as it moves through several key changes with that signature Scott Joplin ragtime feel.
Level: MD
Time: ~4½ min.
Published in 2007 by From the Top Music
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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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for 5-7 octaves handbells and 1 octave tuned percussion or Petit & Fritsen handbells, with optional marching machine, anvil, or other percussion
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[preview score]
2005 Bells of the Sound Composition Contest Winner
Inspired by the iron and steel factories in the Russian city of Cherepovets, “Comrades, Haste!” evokes a 1960s-era Soviet-bloc industrial sound. In creating that ambiance, “Comrades, Haste!” also includes opportunities for both tuned percussion and untuned percussion — an anvil, a marching machine, and whatever other ideas the performers have.
Premiered by the Bells of the Sound, April 23, 2005; Kirkland Performance Center, Kirkland, Wa.
AGEHR Level: 5
Time: ~4½ min.
Published in 2006 by Above the Line Publishing
[buy from Above the Line Publishing]
for handbell duet with piano accompaniment
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[preview score]
A hauntingly beautiful rendition of the favorite sacred tune.
Time: ~4 min.
Published in 2008 by STEP (Solo To Ensemble Project)
[buy from STEP]
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
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for handbell quartet (4-5 octaves)
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[preview score]
This fast-paced holiday quartet is fun and challenging for the experienced ensemble ringer. With the exception of the last 2 measures, the bells are table-malleted throughout. Ringers change positions midway through the piece, adding to the exuberance of the performance.
Level: D
Time: ~1½ min.
Published in 2007 by From the Top Music
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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
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for 3-5 octaves handbells
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[preview score]
The tune will be familiar to some as it was background music for a popular video game a few years ago. Beginning with a brisk tempo, it gradually accelerates to the exciting ending
AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~2 min.
Published in 2007 by From the Top Music
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for 2-4 octaves handbells or handchimes
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[preview score]
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
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for 5 octaves of handbells, 2 octaves of handchimes, and piano in 3 movements
[preview score]
honorable mention, 2006 SoundPrint Handbell Composition Contest
A musical representation of the only two numbers known as “sublime numbers,” as well as detailing the search for a third sublime number.
AGEHR Level: 6+
Time: ~10 min.
Published in 2007 by ring-Press
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for 5-7 octaves handbells and solo vocalist
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[preview score]
A fantasy arrangement of the Christmas standard “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” “The World in Solemn Stillness Lay” sets and maintains a mood with the use of random ringing, singing bells and a haunting vocal line. The arrangement makes use of multiple meter throughout with major sections in 5/4, 4/4 and 3/4. At times, the piece is very transparent and at others very complex with as many as four simultaneous lines.
Premiered by the Austin Handbell Ensemble, December 15, 2006; Austin, Tx.
AGEHR Level: 4-
Time: ~9 min.
Published in 2008 by Peal Publishing
[buy from Peal Publishing]
