Matthew Prins, composer

for 4 octaves handbells and solo trombone (or euphonium)

A Taizé-style original piece.  Trombone part more difficult than the handbell part.   Dedicated to Janet Lott.

AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~3 min.

composed in 2008; contact Matthew Prins for more information

for 2-3 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 very easy arrangement of the Johann Cruger hymn with a new harmonization.

AGEHR Level: 1
Time: ~2 min.
arranged in 2005; contact Matthew Prins for information

for 3-5 octaves handbells

A short, easy arrangement of the hymn tune REGINA CAELI.

AGEHR Level: 1
Time: ~2 min.
composed in 2005; contact Matthew Prins for information

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 3-5 octaves handbells

A beginning choir’s arrangement of the classic hymn.

AGEHR Level: 1
Time: ~2 min.

arranged in 2004; contact Matthew Prins for more information

for handbell soloist (4 octaves) and harp or piano in four movements

Liechtenstein is one of the smallest independent countries in the world, covering an area smaller than Staten Island and containing less than 40,000 residents. There are 11 municipalities in all of Liechtenstein, the four southernmost of which make up the four short movements of the modern handbell/harp (or piano) duet “Die vier Städte von Südliechtenstein” (”The Four Cities of Southern Liechtenstein”). The four cities and their defining characteristics have influenced the creation of each movement: Triesen, home of a historic weaving mill; Balzers, which borders the Rhine River; Triesenberg, whose residents use a dialect of German spoken nowhere else; and Vaduz, the capital and most populous municipality of Liechtenstein (with just over 5000 residents).

Premiered by Michèle Sharik and Marshall Bessières, July 6, 2008; The Walden School, Dublin, N.H.

Time: ~9 min.
composed in 2006; contact Matthew Prins for information

for SATB choir or congregation

A hymn for congregational singing.

Time: ~2 min.

arranged in 2005; contact Matthew Prins for more 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 4-5 octaves handbells

A meditative original piece for handbells in ABA form.

AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~3 min.

composed in 2005; contact Matthew Prins for more 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 two tunes associated with with this hymn text: GALILEE by William H. Jude and STUTTGART by Christian F. Witt.

AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~3 min.
composed in 2006; contact Matthew Prins for 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 3-5 octaves handbells

An arrangement of three traditional Irish tunes: the meditative “Mist on the Mountain,” the melodic “Monahan’s Jig,” and the very quick “Morrison’s Jig.”

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

for 2-3 octaves handbells or handchimes

A meditation on the classic Christmas hymn. Measures number 85. Meter mostly 6/8 with some 4/4.

AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~3 min.

arranged in 2005; contact Matthew Prins for more information

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 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 3 octaves handbells

A short, musically very easy arrangement of the DUKE STREET hymn tune. A great way to practice various techniques, including mart, mart lift, echo, shake, thumb damp, and more. Arranged for the 2006 James River Ringers Annual Ringers’ Workshop.

AGEHR Level: 1+
Time: ~1½ min.

arranged in 2006; contact Matthew Prins for more information

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

for handbell trio (2 octaves)

A short, fast, relatively easy handbell trio; some 3 against 2 adds interest.

Time: ~1 min.
composed in 2004; contact Matthew Prins for information

for SATB chorus and 3-5 octaves handbells

A new, somber setting of the classic Latin Christmas text.  Lots of mixed meter, but at a very slow tempo.  Handbells are played entirely mallet-suspended.

Premiered by the Memorial Choir and Memorial Bells, December 12, 2006; Memorial Lutheran Church, Ames, Ia.

Time: ~3 min.
composed in 2006; contact Matthew Prins for information

for TTBB choir and piano

A joyous original work for men’s choir and piano.

Time: ~3 min.

arranged in 2005; contact Matthew Prins for more information

for SSA chorus and harp or piano

A new melody set to Edward Caswall’s 19th-century Christmas lyrics.

Time: ~2½ min.
composed in 2006; contact Matthew Prins for 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 SATB choir or congregation

A hymn for congregational singing.

Time: ~2 min.

arranged in 2005; contact Matthew Prins for more information

for 3-5 octaves handbells

A fantasy-esque arrangement of the classic hymn tune.

AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~4 min.

arranged in 2006; contact Matthew Prins for more information

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

for handbells C3 to C5 (eight players)

An atmospheric, amelodic work that is built entirely on long notes played using the singing bell technique and mallet-rolling suspended bells.  Follows the guidelines of the burgeoning miniaturist genre: no more than 100 notes are played during the entire piece.

AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~3 min.
composed in 2008; contact Matthew Prins for information

for a capella SATB choir

An original choral lament based on Psalm 88 (KJV).

Time: ~4 min.
composed in 2006; contact Matthew Prins for information