Quickly learned, this shorthand notation allows one octave of bells or chimes to as many octaves as you have, to assist in accompanying hymns with a keyboard (part included) or alone. Be creative and add desired bell techniques to match the text of the hymn.
Composer: Various Arranger: Honore, Jeffrey Octaves: 1-8 Level: NA Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Easy
This original piece in the tradition of "Festive Peal" (AG35303) is your festival solution! With compatible arrangements for choirs containing two to six octaves of bells without bell changes, your ringers can play this piece without tables or from memory for greater impact in your next concert or service.
Composer: Thompson, Karen Octaves: 2-6 Level: 2+ Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Easy Medium
This work is a humorous selection using an ostinato pattern throughout much of the music. It is written so that ringers leave during the last section concluding with the last chord played off stage.
Composer: Gumma, V. Arranger: Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
This beautiful piece from Bizet's "L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2" is based on a phrase of Gregorian chant and skillfully arranged by Martha Lynn Thompson.
Composer: Bizet, George & Guirard, Ernest Arranger: Thompson, Martha Lynn Octaves: 3-6 Level: 3 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
Noted conductor William Mathis has arranged Handel's wonderful theme and variations, known as "The Harmonious Blacksmith" from Suite Number 5, for handbell choir.
Composer: Handel, George Frideric Arranger: Mathis, William H. Octaves: 4-6 Level: 5 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Advance
This piece is a versatile arrangement of a familiar tune. It is written on 3 staves, one treble and 2 bass. Play the bottom bass line with a string bass, electric bass, synthesizer or handbells on the table with mallets.
Composer: Bach, Johann S. Arranger: Barrow, Edward A. Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
This Hispanic folk tune is set for 3-5 octaves with optional guitar. The guitarist has the option of playing by chord symbols that are set in the score or by notes on a separate score in the back of the selection.
Composer: Arranger: McFadden, J. Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
The Noona name has long been associated with piano lessons and literature. Here, one of their favorite compositions is set for 4-6 octaves of bells and optional 3 octaves handchimes. The music exudes the flavor of a small-town, Fourth-of-July celebration.
Composer: Noona, Walter & Carol Arranger: Wood, William R. Octaves: 4-6 Level: 4 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium Advance
This is an advanced solo which will captivate and dazzle your audience! Three pages of performance notes are most helpful.
Composer: Noona, W. & C. Arranger: Downey, E. Octaves: 4 Level: NA Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Advance
Commissioned by AGEHR Area VII to honor past President Al Marquardt, this powerful festival setting of the hymn LASST UNS ERFREUEN is great for Easter or any other Sunday.
Composer: Hymn Tune Arranger: Behnke, John A. Octaves: 3-6 Level: 3 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
Don't be misled by the name! Even though it is fast (quarter note = 112 - 124), the rhythms are fairly easy.
Composer: Helman, M. Arranger: Octaves: 3-5 Level: 4+ Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium Advance
The "Allegro" and the "Hornpipe" from George Frideric Handel's beloved "Water Music Suite" are versatility set for 5 octaves of bells and keyboard or keyboard-percussion quartet or small orchestra.
Composer: Handel, G. F. Arranger: Keller, M. Octaves: 5 Level: 3 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
Played at Distinctly Bronze West 2013, this new virtuoso Vivaldi/Bach transcription has received rave reviews, and Fred Gramann orchestrated it perfectly for handbells!
Composer: Bach, J.S. & Vivaldi, A. Arranger: Gramann, Fred Octaves: 5-7 Level: 5 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Advance
There are no optional octaves in this quartet arrangement, giving Michael Keller free reign with five octaves of bells.
Composer: Bizet, G. Arranger: Keller, M. Octaves: 5 Level: NA Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Advance
The inspiration for this piece and the principle thematic motive are based upon the musical pitches represented by the letters A-G-E-H-R. (H=B, R=re or D in a fixed do system)
Composer: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 3-6 Level: 3+ Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
This original F Major composition is a stately grand march for handbells and organ. The brass ensemble consists of 2 Trumpets, Horn in F, 2 Trombones, and Timpani.
Composer: Keller, M. Arranger: Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3+ Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
This piece is a good way to introduce Mozart to younger ringers. Lots of staccato techniques make it fun along with the echo technique.
Composer: Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus Arranger: McChesney, Kevin Octaves: 2-3 Level: 2+ Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Easy Medium
The 2006 AGEHR Area III Composition Contest Winner "Allegro Spiritoso" is dedicated to the Spirit Ringers of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, Weddington, North Carolina.
Composer: Underwood, Greg Octaves: 2-5 Level: 3 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
Arranger Linda Lamb treats the simple praise chorus theme by Jerry Sinclair in a variety of textual ways.
Composer: Sinclair, J. Arranger: Lamb, L. Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
This powerful original selection is an ideal opener for an Easter or liturgical service or concert program.
Composer: Tervo, Brian Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
Well-known hymn tunes LLANFAIR and LASST UNS ERFREUEN combine their alleluias in this Easter arrangement, "Alleluia! Christ is Risen".
Composer: Various Arranger: Behnke, John A. Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2+ Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Easy Medium
Gastoldi's (1591) tune has been set with the translated text by C. Winkworth. The SATB voices are to be accompanied by 3 octaves of bells and organ.
Composer: Gastoldi, G. Arranger: Hopson, H. Octaves: 3 Level: 2 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Easy
The hymn tune "O Worship the King" (LYONS) is the basis of this challenging setting originally commissioned by the Raleigh Ringers and catalogued in the "Janus" Series of AGEHR Publishing.
Composer: Lyons Arranger: Gramann, F. Octaves: 3-7 Level: 5 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Advance
Let your beginning ringers join in the Palm Sunday worship time with this simple, straightforward arrangement of this favorite hymn.
Composer: Teschner, Melchior Arranger: Kinyon, Barbara B. Octaves: 2-3 Level: 1 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Easy
An arrangement of the "Forest Green" tune for SATB choir of four ensembles, with organ accompaniment or multiple choirs (SATB, SATB, SA, Unison).
Composer: Forest Green Arranger: Hopson, H. Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Easy
Original material introduces this arrangement of the 17th century English melody before the tune comes in. A nice section of martellato in the accompaniment occurs in a later section before returning to the opening material.
Composer: Arranger: Geschke, S. Octaves: 2-3 Level: 3- Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
Written in tribute to and inspired by the compositional style of Donald E. Allured, this original piece uses a three-note motive of D, E, and A (Allured’s initials). It includes four sections: Introduction, The Dawn, Enlightenment, and Awakening.
Composer: Benton, Douglas J. Octaves: 5-8 Level: 5 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Advance
"Along the Water" is an original composition "Commissioned in honor of the dedicated service of Anita Fraundorf, Duluth, Minnesota, Area 7 Chair 2019-2022, and to the many who served with her during her six-year term and shared the same passion."
Composer: Eithun, Sandra Octaves: 3-6 Level: 3 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
A new approach to an old hymn creates an arrangement which is appreciated by ringers and listeners. Use of wind chimes, sudden key changes and colorful harmonies heighten interest and pleasure.
Composer: Arranger: Morris, H. Octaves: 3-5 Level: 5- Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium Advance
Opening with a distant snare drum announcing their arrival, the thrilling sound of an "American Patrol" comes to life in this fabulous arrangement of the famous programmatic piece.
Composer: Meacham, F. W. Arranger: Thompson, Martha Lynn Octaves: 4-6 Level: 3 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
Commissioned by the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers for the 13th International Handbell Symposium in Orlando, Florida, this arrangement of the spiritual "Down by the Riverside" is the third installment in "An American Tapestry."
Composer: Traditional Spiritual Arranger: Sherman, Arnold Octaves: 3-7 Level: 3 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium