God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
A perfect holiday showcase for an adventurous Bell Tree Soloist! - Spanning D5-C7; Medium Difficulty due to the tempo and the wide range of bells and keys used. This refreshing take on a well-loved carol approaches each verse boldly with a different character. The included piano accompaniment will delight your pianist with challenging patterns and a strong section with the melody as well. Truly this is an equal and joyous collaboration between Soloist and Pianist. The Solo part can also be rung by an adept duet or a few ringers or even played on a C instrument (omitting optional notes). The difficulty level of the solo can be eased to Easy-Medium by using a horizontal layout of suspended bells, such as Sueda Luttrell’s self-titled “suspended enchamade” bells – a “keyboard of bells” arranged on a table with bell handles strung through thick horizontal dowels and handguards/castings propped up by another row of rods. (See Sueda’s picture on this piece’s website listing – and Suda’s upcoming article in Overtones.) This Solo score RE5018R is also compatible with the full 3-5+ oct. L3 full ensemble score RE8531 – which includes additional parts for multiple soloists scattered throughout the piece (mandolin/violin/a simpler bell tree/C instrument/piano). Both scores, played together or separately, will serve well as a celebratory finale in a Christmas concert or Holiday Festival - or as a grand, uplifting moment in worship. This entire score (RE5018R) is completely reproducible by original purchaser. The Piano Accompaniment is also available as a free download (2 settings: one at tempo 90 bpm and the other a bit slower 80 bpm - for practice) on this piece’s page at www.handbellworld.com. For bell tree set-up instructions, Kath recommends checking Barbara Brocker’s book, A Bell Tree “Keyboard” Manual (TO117). Part of the True Music and First String Series from ringTrue. Keys of b minor, e minor and f minor; 68 measures; 3:10 performance time at tempo (though you can take it slower if you wish!).