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
3-5 octaves handbells
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This one is strictly for fun; a delightful arrangement of the charming song about a child’s Christmas wish, it provides a great opportunity for a lighthearted moment in your holiday concert.
AGEHR Level: 2+
Time: ~2 min.
Published in 2010 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 bell tree solo, handbell duet or handbell trio with piano
An original bell tree solo; can also be played as normal duet or trio.
Time: ~2 min.
Published in 2009 by Flagstaff Publishing
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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
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
“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 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 2-3 octaves handbells
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This original piece uses just about every technique known to the handbell world… and is still musical enough to ring in concert or church!
AGEHR Level: 2
Time: ~2½ min.
Published in 2010 by Composers 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 2-3 octaves handbells
A fast, spirited original piece that uses marts, mart lifts, malletting and echoes.
AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~2 min.
to be published in 2011 or 2012
for 3-5 octaves handbells
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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 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
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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 5-7 octaves handbells
Extremely exciting, extremely difficult work that evokes a coming storm.
AGEHR Level: 6
Time: ~5 min.
arranged in 2010; contact Matthew Prins for more information
for 2 or 3 octaves handbells
An arrangement of the modern military hymn, combined with service songs from each of the armed forces. Under copyright; not available for performance without original publisher’s written permission. “To Our Soldiers, Then and Now: With Honor and Thanks. Spirit Bells, McGregor, TX; Barbara Lewandowski, Director.”
AGEHR Level: 2+
Time: ~3 min.
to be published in 2012/2013
for bell tree solo, handbell duet or handbell trio with piano
An original bell tree solo; can also be played as normal duet or trio.
Time: ~2 min.
Published in 2009 by Flagstaff Publishing
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for 3 or 5 octaves handbells and much, much unpitched percussion
A jazzy piece about, yes, taxes that uses four percussions who take turns as a finger snapper, paper ripper, paper crumbler, typist, scribbler, paper-shredding-machine operator, stack-of-paper-against-head hitter, crumbled-paper thrower, clappers, stompers, and number stater.
AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~3 min.
to be published in 2012
for 3-6 octaves handbells and optional 3 or 5 octaves handchimes
An original piece that was named the winner of the Feb Fest 2011 Composition Contest, sponsored by the Greater Houston Handbell Association. Piece was premiered at Feb Fest 2011 on Feburary 25, 2011, with Lloyd Larson conducting.
AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~4 min.
to be published in 2011
for flute and vibraphone
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A pretty, original piece for flute/vibraphone duet.
Time: ~2 min.
composed in 2011; contact Matthew Prins for 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 2-3 octaves or 3-5 octaves handbells (compatible scores)
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An enjoyable original piece written in honor of one of the unheralded men who rode with Paul Revere that fateful night. Compatible scores makes it a good selection for festivals.
AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~3 min.
Published in 2009 by From the Top Music
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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 woodwind quintet
An woodwind arrangement of Gustov Holst’s lovely hymn tune.
AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~2½ min.
arranged in 2011; contact Matthew Prins for information
for 5-7 octaves handbells and handchimes, string orchestra and piano in 12 movements
A large-scale, multi-instrument work composed about London’s subway system, with each movement developing a different Tube line. Audio recording to come.
AGEHR Level: 5
Time: ~27 min.
to be published in 2011
for 5 octaves of handbells, 2 octaves of handchimes, and piano in 3 movements
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, but currently out of print; contact Matthew Prins for more information
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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