Music Listed as Christmas
for 3-5 octaves of handbells with optional 2 octaves handchimes
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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 handbell quartet (4-5 octaves)
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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 3 octaves handbells and cello
An arrangement of the classic Christmas tune. Cello is not optional, although part could be played by french horn or (with slight rearranging) most any string or wind instrument.
AGEHR Level: 3
Time: ~2½ min.
composed in 2008; 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 4-octave bell tree trio or handbell sextet
An entirely LVed arrangement of the French Christmas tune. Only bells from E5-G7 are used. Sextet can either be played mallet suspended or by using four-in-hand.
Time: ~4 min.
composed in 2008; contact Matthew Prins for more 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 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 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 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 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 5-7 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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