Music Listed as published
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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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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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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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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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
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for 4-5 octaves of handbells
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“Cumulonimbus: A vertically developed cumulus cloud, often capped by an anvil shaped cloud. Also called a thunderstorm cloud, it is frequently accompanied by heavy showers, lightning, thunder, and sometimes hail or gusty winds.” If this definition doesn’t give you an idea of what this original composition holds, then visit Iowa in tornado season! 104 measures are filled with techniques, meter changes, and dynamic shifts.
AGEHR Level: 4+
Time: ~3 min.
Published in 2005 by GIA Publications
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for handbell duet with piano accompaniment
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A hauntingly beautiful rendition of the favorite sacred tune.
Time: ~4 min.
Published in 2008 by STEP (Solo To Ensemble Project)
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for 3-5 octaves handbells with optional 3 octaves handchimes
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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 4-5 octaves of handbells
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Like most fantasies, this arrangement of the spiritual “There is a Balm in Gilead” is a composition where the free flight of fancy prevails over normal conventions of form and style. Several key changes add to the challenge. Measures total 108.
AGEHR Level: 3+
Time: ~4½ min.
Published in 2005 by GIA Publications
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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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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
Mallets on suspended bells in both bass and treble clef are scored in the dreamy introduction to the standard hymn tune. The melody is then supported by toll swings in the bass and running, “peal”-like mid-clef patterns. In following sections, alternate harmonies add interest and challenge. The ending shifts into 5/4 with fortissimo shakes on tall chords.
AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~2½ min.
Published in 2007 by Flagstaff Publishing
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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 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
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for 3-5 octaves handbells or handchimes
This slow and legato arrangement is based on traditional chant and equally playable on handbells or handchimes or a mixture of both. A careful musical interpretation of varying dynamics and tempo fluctuations will add greatly to the performance of this work’s light and fragile passages.
AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~2½ min.
Published in 2007 by Flagstaff Publishing
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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 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
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for 5 octaves of handbells, 2 octaves of handchimes, and piano in 3 movements
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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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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
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for 3-5 octaves handbells
Dreams can often incorporate the ambient sounds of the world around the dreamer. “Three O’clock Fantasie” takes the music of a clock striking three o’clock and re-imagines it through a dreamlike state.
AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~3 min.
Published in 2006 by Above the Line Publishing
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for 4-6 octaves handbells
A jazzy rendition of the Epiphany favorite, “We Three Jazzy Kings” uses syncopation and mixed meter to make the long journey to Bethlehem fun for all. Arranged in e minor, measures total 81 with repeats.
Premiered by the James River Ringers, December 10, 2006; Epiphany Lutheran Church, Richmond, Va.
AGEHR Level: 4
Time: ~3 min.
Published in 2007 by Flagstaff Publishing
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