Using only four or five ringers, these eleven acclamations could be used as processionals (the first eight measures can be repeated ad lib,) or as interludes or responses. Often the briefest snippet of a seasonally-appropriate hymn tune is quoted.
Composer: Kosche, Kenneth T. Octaves: 2-3 Level: 2 Publisher: Morning Star Music Publishers Rating: Easy Medium
“After the Prelude, Year A” completes the three-year cycle of music for handbells and handchimes and ideas for moving beyond the standard literature to incorporate them into worship leadership. This collection emphasizes the use of bells for hymns, refrains that bring cohesion to church seasons, and music for other festivals and occasions.
Composer: Various Arranger: Mathis, William H. Octaves: 3-5 Level: NA Publisher: Choristers Guild Rating:
This lively piece based on a Honduran melody is ideal for Easter Sunday, Eastertide, Ascension, or Pentecost. The text to this hymn is "Aleluya, el Señor resucitó" which translates to "Alleluia! Christ is risen from the dead."
Composer: Honduran Melody Arranger: Hurlbutt, Patricia Octaves: 2-5 Level: 3 Publisher: G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Rating: Medium
The bells ring on the Alleluia refrain and a final chord at the end.
Composer: Kemp, H. Arranger: Octaves: 3 Level: 1 Publisher: Choristers Guild Rating: Easy
Ring in the spring with this collection of seasonal favorites carefully selected to highlight Palm Sunday and Easter, as well as other special Sundays in the spring. Titles included are: "Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley", "Palm Sunday Processional", "Easter Triumph", "The Lord's My Shepherd", and "Spirit of God Descend Upon My Heart".
Composer: Various Arranger: Edwards, Dan Octaves: 2-5 Level: 2 Publisher: Choristers Guild Rating: Easy Medium
New to the world of twelve-bell literature are these creative arrangements with titles suitable for use throughout the church year. While each piece uses only twelve bells spanning F5 to C7, not every title uses the “standard” set of twelve bells in F major.
Composer: Various Arranger: Krug, Jason W. Octaves: 3 Level: 2+ Publisher: Choristers Guild Rating: Easy Medium
A vibrant, multipurpose medley of two majestic triple-meter hymn tunes ("Hanover" and "Italian Hymn"), this solidly scored composition will truly bring out the best from your ensemble.
Composer: Various Arranger: Ingram, Bill Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2+ Publisher: Lorenz Corp. Rating: Easy Medium
Perpetual motion eight note patterns impel this piece from beginning to end. The frequent changes in beats per measure require alertness but give an exciting drive to this very creative work.
Composer: Gross, William Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2+ Publisher: Flagstaff Publishing Rating: Easy Medium
As the Wind Song is included in the new Presbyterian hymnal, "Glory to God", with the tune by Swee Hong Lim (WAIRUA TAPU) and text by Shirley Erena Murray.
Composer: Lim, Swee-Hong Arranger: Mizell, Carol Lynn Octaves: 5-6 Level: 3 Publisher: Choristers Guild Rating: Medium
Written for students of a Catholic elementary school, this anthem calls for 13 bells in the 2-octave range. The text begins: "Blessed be God, who chose you in Christ to be filled with the Spirit of love."
Composer: Chepponis, J. Arranger: Octaves: 2 Level: 2 Publisher: G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Rating: Easy
This wonderful combination of two well-known tunes is perfect for Pentecost or a service of praise.
Composer: Various Arranger: Mazzatenta, Michael Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Easy Medium
This setting of the hymn tune TRENTHAM is ideal for ringing during Pentecost or at any time throughout the church year! At times calm and reflective, and others bold and powerful, this piece displays a wide emotional range even as it remains accessible to most soloists.
Composer: Hymn Tune Arranger: Krug, Jason W. Octaves: 3 Level: NA Publisher: Grassy Meadow Music Rating: Easy Medium
A gently pulsating, almost hypnotic ostinato repeats from beginning to end in this sensitive work that brings two hymns of the Spirit into union.
Composer: Various Arranger: Wagner, Douglas E. Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2 Publisher: Lorenz Corp. Rating: Easy Medium
Hart Morris gives us a beautiful and flexible setting of this classic Pentecost hymn.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: Morris, Hart Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2+ Publisher: Lorenz Corp. Rating: Easy Medium
Sondra Tucker gives us a wonderful arrangement of this Ralph Vaughan Williams hymn tune for Pentecost services. Ensembles have plenty of opportunities to work on dynamics as this piece moves from piano to a double forte ending.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: Tucker, Sondra K. Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2+ Publisher: Lorenz Corp. Rating: Easy Medium
"Come Down, O Love Divine" by John A. Behnke is a perfect handbell and handchime piece for Pentecost.
Composer: Various Arranger: Behnke, John A. Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3 Publisher: JAB Publishing Rating: Medium
Are you looking for the perfect piece for Pentecost? This setting of LAMBILLOTTE sets the mood perfectly. Combining musical pictures of wind and fire with narration describing the events of that special day, the arranger transports us to the birthday of the church.
Composer: Lambillotte Arranger: Honore, Jeffrey Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3- Publisher: World Library Publications Rating: Easy Medium
A mystical mood is set from the beginning of this medley of VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS and KOMM, GOTT SCHOPFER by use of thick, handchimes chords in the bass and mallets on suspended bells in the treble.
Composer: Various Arranger: Delancy, Lauran Octaves: 3 or 5 Level: 2 Publisher: Concordia Publishing House Rating: Medium
"Come, Holy Ghost" is a handbell duet arrangement combining the chant VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS (Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest) and SONG 13 (Holy Spirit, Light Divine). The use of singing bell technique and suspended mallets on a bell tree creates an ethereal sound fitting for Pentecost.
Composer: Various Arranger: Delancy, Lauran Octaves: 3 Level: NA Publisher: Headless Mallets Publishing Rating: Medium
This hymn setting captures the sparse mystic aura of the chanted music of past centuries. Only three accidentals occur within the F major tonality in the entirety of this evocative arrangement.
Composer: Wesley, Charles Arranger: Harris, J.C. & J.I. Octaves: 3 Level: 2 Publisher: Flagstaff Publishing Rating: Easy Medium
Set for 2-part voices and 2 octaves of handbells, this arrangement of the Sarum plainsong, VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS, is a quick and effective avenue for involving beginning ringers in a major act of worship.
Composer: Arranger: Burkhardt, M. Octaves: 2 Level: 1 Publisher: Morning Star Music Publishers Rating: Easy
This updated edition, pairing an ancient plainsong with a twentieth-century hymn tune, is a gem of creative endeavor.
Composer: Various Arranger: Moklebust, Cathy Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2+ Publisher: Lorenz Corp. Rating: Easy Medium
"Come, Holy Spirit" combines the haunting chant VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS with the Welsh tune ABERYSTWYTH.
Composer: Parry, Joseph Arranger: Tucker, Sondra K. Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3 Publisher: Choristers Guild Rating: Medium
"Come Let Us Eat" is a stirring SATB communion anthem using zymbelstern (or wind chimes: 4 sets each of brass & glass), finger cymbals, and handbells (E5, A5, B5 and D6) in an ostinato pattern throughout.
Composer: Carnahan, C. Arranger: Octaves: 2 Level: NA Publisher: Art Masters Studio, Inc. Rating: Easy
John Carter has set the music of Billema Kwillia for 3-part mixed voices, handbells (C5- G6) and piano accompaniment.
Composer: Kwillia, B. Arranger: Carter, J. Octaves: 2 Level: 2 Publisher: Hope Publishing Co. Rating: Easy
3 octaves of bells are required to accompany this concertato on the hymn tune "Jubilee" by Hal Hopson. The bells ring in meter, randomly, in a peal-like fashion, and with shake technique. The texts begin "Come Holy Spirit, our souls inspire, and lighten with celestial fire".
Composer: Jubilee Arranger: Hopson, H. Octaves: 4 Level: 2 Publisher: Hope Publishing Co. Rating: Easy Medium
An introduction using "Veni Creator Spiritus" sets the mood for this arrangement of the"Italian Hymn." Two optional ending, one soft, the other loud. Using the loud ending increases the difficuly of the music.
Composer: Arranger: Gramann, F. Octaves: 3-6 Level: 3 Publisher: Concordia Publishing House Rating: Easy
This piece is the first in our new "Distinctly Bronze" series.
Composer: Payn, William A. Arranger: Payn, William A. Octaves: 5 Level: 5 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Advance