With Heart and Hands and Voices

Fred has combined Johann Crüger's "Nun danket alle Gott" and J.S. Bach's "Sinfonia" from Cantata 29 into a stellar musical interplay in the ultimate Classical style. The absence of articulations and a minimal number of accidentals belies the flawless technique and sheer musicianship this piece requires to be rung with clarity at tempo. Fred’s musical gifts are truly on display in this complex and fabulously gorgeous setting.

Composer: Cruger, Johann and Bach, J. S.
Arranger: Gramann, Fred
Octaves: 5 or 7
Level: 5+
Publisher: From the Top Music

Rocky Top

Get ready for a toe-tapping good time! Originally a bluegrass classic, "Rocky Top" became the fight song of the University of Tennessee in 1972, and Linda Scholes has dedicated this arrangement to her husband, who is a die-hard Volunteer.

Composer: Bryant, Boudleaux and Felice
Arranger: Scholes, Linda
Octaves: 3-6
Level: 3
Publisher: Red River Music

Rocky Top

Ringing Favorite Hymns and Chants, vol 1 (2 Octave)

This versatile collection of familiar hymn tunes and chants is very accessible for 2-octave handbell choirs. Each one is rated a Level 1 on the Handbell Musicians of America's difficulty rating scale (with Level 1 being the easiest and Level 5 being the most advanced) because there are very few bell changes/accidentals and no complex rhythms.

A 3-octave version (MCRHB3101) is also available.

Composer: Various
Arranger: Hall, Jefferey A.
Octaves: 2
Level: 1
Publisher: Christian Interdenominational Resources

Ringing Favorite Hymns and Chants, vol 1 (2 Octave)

Christmas Hymns for Small Ensembles

CIR would like to welcome Amy Knudsen to the CIR family of composers and arrangers by presenting her lovely collection of Advent and Christmas hymns, perfect for those days when you don’t have a full choir.

Composer: Various
Arranger: Knudsen, Amy
Octaves: 2
Level: 2
Publisher: Christian Interdenominational Resources

Christmas Hymns for Small Ensembles

Contemplation on Serdeczna Matko

CIR is pleased to welcome Kurt Meyer to the CIR family of composers and arrangers with his setting of "Serdeczna Matko" (translation: Beloved Mother). Serdeczna Matko is a lovely Marian hymn originating from Poland that has been a tradition in Polish churches for many generations.

Composer: Traditional
Arranger: Meyer, Kurt
Octaves: 2-5
Level: 1+
Publisher: Christian Interdenominational Resources

Contemplation on Serdeczna Matko

Be Not Afraid

In 1975, Jesuit Father Bob Dufford composed the beloved worship song "Be Not Afraid". Jefferey A. Hall has created a flowing and prayer-like arrangement which can be used during all seasons of the church year.

Composer: Dufford, Bob
Arranger: Hall, Jefferey A.
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 2
Publisher: Christian Interdenominational Resources

Be Not Afraid

Promised Land

The wonderful early American folk tune PROMISED LAND has been used with a wide variety of hymn texts, including "On Jordan's Stormy Bank" and "Bound for the Promised Land". Catholic hymnals use the hymn text "She Will Show Us the Promised One", making it especially appropriate for the Advent season.

Composer: American folk song
Arranger: Turner, Julie
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 2+
Publisher: Christian Interdenominational Resources

Promised Land

Ave Maria

Ave Maria (Mode I) is a beloved chant in Catholic liturgies. The text comes directly from the Scriptures: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."

Composer: Traditional
Arranger: Meyer, Kurt
Octaves: 3-6
Level: 3
Publisher: Christian Interdenominational Resources

Ave Maria

Immaculate Mary

The hymn "Immaculate Mary" uses the lovely hymn tune LOURDES, while the hymn text references the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.

Composer: Traditional Pyrenean
Arranger: Mains, Rolin R.
Octaves: 2
Level: 2
Publisher: Christian Interdenominational Resources

Immaculate Mary

Ave Maria

J.S. Bach's Prelude No. 1 in C Major is the perfect backdrop for Charles Gounod's musical setting of the "Ave Maria". Kristi Seehafer has taken this favorite work and created an arrangement for solo instrument (handbells or viola) and keyboard.

Composer: Bach, Johann Sebastian
Arranger: Seehaffer, Kristi
Octaves: 2
Level: 2
Publisher: Christian Interdenominational Resources

Ave Maria

Air and Hornpipe

Originally written for bell tree and full handbell choir (item # MNMHB673), this award-winning piece by Sondra Tucker has been re-imagined as a bell tree solo with piano.

Composer: Tucker, Sondra K.
Octaves: 3
Level: NA
Publisher: National Handbell Music

Fanfare on Come You Faithful Raise the Strain

Here is a celebratory and jubilant piece to begin your next Easter service. This fanfare has been arranged in three sections.

Composer: Horn, Johann
Arranger: Kerr, J. Wayne
Octaves: 2-5
Level: 2
Publisher: Concordia Publishing House

Fanfare on Come You Faithful Raise the Strain

God of Grace and God of Glory

This lively arrangement of the tune CWM RHONDDA is filled with exciting rhythms and techniques. Malleted bass patterns in 7/8 meter create an intriguing accompaniment underneath the hymn tune, which is then reversed with the melody and large chords in the bass and thumb damped rhythms in the upper treble bells. A slower section follows, using LV handchimes in a flowing style in the bass and a lyrical treatment of the tune with handbells in the treble.

Composer: Hughes, John
Arranger: Moklebust, Cathy
Octaves: 3-6
Level: 4
Publisher: Concordia Publishing House

God of Grace and God of Glory

On Eagle's Wings

This is a touching setting of the beloved hymn arranged for handbells. The piece begins with a soothing, arpeggiated motive, leading into the first presentation of the familiar tune in a flowing, soaring style.

Composer: Joncas, Michael
Arranger: Behnke, John A.
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 3
Publisher: Concordia Publishing House

On Eagle's Wings

That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright

Bach's universally known "Minuet in G" has been paired with the hymn tune PUER NOBIS, making for a lovely, light, and easy arrangement for handbells.

Composer: Various
Arranger: Osman, Terry
Octaves: 2-3
Level: 2
Publisher: Concordia Publishing House

That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright

Chorale and Variations on Erhalt uns Herr

The tune ERHALT UNS, HERR commonly associated with "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word", "The Glory of These Forty Days", "The Law of God Is Good and Wise", and several other titles, is set as a chorale arrangement with two variations.

Composer: Hymn Tune
Arranger: Behnke, John A.
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 2
Publisher: Concordia Publishing House

Chorale and Variations on Erhalt uns Herr

Advancing Towards Excellence in Handbell Ensembles

The purpose of this publication is to share the knowledge that I have picked up or developed over the years. These topics may include specific excersises, phrases, or approaches to concepts that contribute to the development of a musical product through the art of handbell ringing.

Prepare the Lord Is Near

This collection for eight, ten, or twelve bells (D5-A7) includes five accessible yet full, interesting arrangements of hymns for the Advent season and includes piano accompaniments.

Composer: Various
Arranger: Moklebust, Cathy
Octaves: 2-3
Level: 2+
Publisher: Choristers Guild

Prepare the Lord Is Near