Written on a Postcard (Prayerful Moments)
Subtitled “Prayful Moments” for sacred use, this 3-octave Level 1 piece is wonderfully interesting and thoughtful - starting in c minor and brightening to C Major in an easy transition. Appropriate for bells or chimes, “Written on a Postcard” is an original “through” piece (each section is different) that travels through a series of vignettes, each with its own personality. And rightly so, since each 8-measure section was written by a team of three or four 5th graders in Kath’s handbell class as their composition project for Spring 2022. A lovely quiet section adds some breathing space before the original theme returns at the end. Melody is carried in both treble and bass clefs, and all ringers are involved throughout. In one section accents help identify melody notes when they are within a chord. A wonderful teaching piece written by students themselves, it is also a worthy concert piece and perfect for beginners in a festival setting. Pedagogical focus topics: short themes, double voicing, voice leading lines, relative minor and Major, a few accidentals, scale, dynamics and accents. Look for an explanation of the methodology used in this semester-long composition project in an upcoming “Building Blocks” offering (target release 2024). A bonus section offers an exercise page for practicing accidental flats - plus a piece to practice this new skill in – “Shifting Sands.”
Part of the Class ring Series from ringTrue, which offers carefully crafted pieces that combine solid pedagogy for the classroom and performance-worthy music for concerts: Win-Win!! Additional Level 1 and 1+ supplemental pieces include: Ionian Columns, Salamander Tales/Gecko Antics, Dorian Epic, Covenant, Failing Light, Hornpipe and Dance, Ode to Joy, Lemon Chimes, Providence, Ghost and Shadow and Bronze Fanfare. Find all current Class ring pieces at www.handbellworld.com using the Music Selection Assistant page, scrolling to the bottom for “series.”
Like all ringTrue music, scores are available in hard copy or as a digital download.