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  Series Title: First String - ringTrue

Song Title Composer(s) Arranger(s) Octaves
  12 Bells + a Solo Traditional Spiritual Wissinger, Kathleen 2
Review: “12 Bells + a Solo” showcases an easy 8-Bell melody line (Belltree solo or 1-4 Ringers) and challenges 3-6 ringers on a thoughtful L3 12-bell accompaniment at the same time! The featured tune, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” will engage your audience with swing and triplet rhythms at an easy pace. You’ll be amazed how rich and full 12-bells can be as an accompaniment!
  8 Bells for Carols Vol. 1 - Easy Various Wissinger, Kathleen 1 or 3
Review: Share some holiday cheer with a lovely selection of Bell Tree pieces using only 8 bells. “8 Bells for Carols” is perfect for ringing at Red Kettles, in small spaces or as a palate cleanser during a concert. Each Volume features 7 or 8 holiday tunes for bell tree solo (or duet), or 4iH duet, or 3 or 4 ringers using 8 Bells - either G5 to G6 (2 octaves) or C5-C6 or C6 to C7 (1 or 3 octaves) – plus an optional chime solo for added harmony.
  8 Bells for Carols Vol. 2 - Easy-Medium Various Wissinger, Kathleen 1 or 3
Review: Share some holiday cheer with a lovely selection of 7 Bell Tree carols using only 8 bells. "8 Bells for Carols" is perfect for ringing at Red Kettles, in small spaces or as a palate cleanser during a concert. The pieces included in Volume 2 are Easy-Medium difficulty – with trickier patterns and sometimes 2nd voice moving above and below the melody. The Bell Tree part can be played as a single stem-up melody line (easier) or with the added stem-down part (more challenging) – or a second ringer (on the backside of same bell tree or on their own bell tree) can play the stem-down notes.
  8 Bells for Carols Vol. 3 - Medium Various Wissinger, Kathleen 2
Review: Share some holiday cheer with a lively selection of 7 Bell Tree carols using only 8 bells. The “8 Bells for Carols” series is perfect for ringing at Red Kettles, in small spaces or as a palate cleanser during a concert. The pieces in Volume 3 are Medium difficulty.
  Adventure Wissinger, Kathleen 2-3
Review: Take 1 to 9 ringers on an “Adventure” with this spunky piece that showcases the virtuosity of 1 to 4 ringers playing a Level 2+ non-stop 8-bell 8th-note melody line (using Bell Tree, Four-in-Hand (4iH) or regular assignments) – plus an easier Level 2- accompaniment option for 1 to 5 additional ringers (or Orff, piano, harp or even Boomwhackers ᴿ!). Many options for performance are noted, including playing it with 2 ringers 4iH-ing the melody line and 2 ringers covering the accompaniment.
  Amazing Grace Traditional Wissinger, Kathleen 2-3
Review: Refresh your vision of this beloved tune with "Amazing Grace 1" – playable as a 1-octave Bell Tree Solo, a 4iH Duet, or an 8-Bell Ensemble ("A" uses G5-G6 and "B" uses C6-C7) with piano or harp accompaniment. Bells and accompaniment work together to weave a lovely tapestry. Written as a first-experience Bell Tree piece for an adept ringer, the patterns in the Bell Tree sound complex but are easy to learn. It’s perfect for any part of a worship service.
  Best Gift III and IV Wissinger, Kathleen 3
Review:

Hear the drone of the bagpipes! This original Celtic jig for Bell Tree, 4iH duet or small ensemble will delight your ringers and audience from the first note of the lilting original melody and the unusual turns it takes.
  Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy Tschaikovsky Wissinger, Kathleen 3-5
Review: Brighten your Christmas concert series with this outstanding piece for Bell Tree or a ringing duet! "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy", carefully transcribed from Tschaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, is a holiday classic that sparkles as a 3 oct. medium-difficult Bell Tree Solo (or handbell duet).
  Fantasy on Carol of the Bells Leontovych, Mykala Wissinger, Kathleen 3
Review: A fresh take on a favorite iconic piece – perfectly suited for bells on a Bell Tree, of course!! (Medium Difficulty due to the tempo and changing from string to string using C5-C7, 16-18 bells) with piano accompaniment. The well-known themes are playfully inverted and altered, making them even more intriguing! For bell tree soloists looking for an engaging new piece – this is it!
  Festival on Wexford Carol Traditional Irish Carol Wissinger, Kathleen 3-4
Review: "Festival on Wexford Carol" celebrates this compelling 12th-century Irish tune in a dignified setting featuring rhythmic mallets in the bass. Unaffected and straightforward, this exploration of intriguing rhythms at a stately tempo will mesmerize your audience - while also preparing your ringers for more challenging up-tempo pieces using 16th note duple and triple rhythm patterns.
  Gentle Presence Wissinger, Kathleen 3-7
Review: This thoughtful, original melody for Bell Tree Solo (Med. Difficulty, 18 (19) bells: (D5) F5-C7) soars above a sensitively scored accompaniment for full ringing ensemble (L2+ 3-7 oct. chimes and/or bells). Based on an intriguing (and challenging) compositional concept, this "integrated" bell tree solo does not require an extra set of handbells for performance with an ensemble, as most bell tree solos might.
  God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Traditional Wissinger, Kathleen 3
Review: 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.
  God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Traditional Wissinger, Kathleen 3-7
Review: Fully-scored for your entire ringing ensemble, this holiday classic travels boldly through 3 key changes with the melody in different ranges – Level 3 for 3-5 (+opt. 6/7 bass) oct. A very few martellatos add some accents. Many options are offered to include a wide range of musicians to further liven up your holiday celebrations - mandolin/violin/easy bell tree (8 to 12+ bells)/or any C Instrument and/or piano.
  Griffin's Hornpipe 2 (Praise God's Name With Dancing) Wissinger, Kathleen 3 or 5
Review:

Showcase from one to eight bell tree ringers accompanied by their fellow ringers all within 3 octaves (with more opt. bells) in this reproducible score This catchy original Celtic tune in ABCA form is easily learned and will brighten any concert, festival, or worship service (with the subtitle "Praise God’s Name with Dancing" based on Psalm 149:3).
  Griffins Hornpipe 3 (Praise God's Name With Dancing) Wissinger, Kathleen 1-3
Review: A lively original Celtic tune (using only 8 bells, for Beginning Bell Tree soloists) starts in Dorian mode, shifts into Ionian, then back. Using the subtitle “Praise God’s Name with Dancing,” it is equally at home in worship, concert, festival or classroom.
  Here's One Spiritual Wissinger, Kathleen 3-7
Review: A soulful spiritual journey, “Here’s One - 1” wraps the listener in a warm embrace of reverence and calm assurance – for 3-5 oct. L3+ (with opt. C5-C7 Bell Tree (Med. Diff.) or C/Bb instrument). Kath Wissinger’s light but masterful touch of bluesy jazz will delight ringers and audience alike.
  I Love to Tell the Story - A Fischer, William G. Wissinger, Kathleen 2
Review: This gentle L2 rendition of the beloved hymn tune HANKEY features an easy optional Bell Tree obbligato, adding a soft sparkle to the rich chording and simple melody. Two non-compatible scores offer different range possibilities.

Score A is for 2 octaves with optional C5-C6 or C6-C7 Bell Tree.
  I Love to Tell the Story - B Fischer, William G. Wissinger, Kathleen 3 or 5
Review: This gentle L2 rendition of the beloved hymn tune HANKEY features an easy optional Bell Tree obbligato, adding a soft sparkle to the rich chording and simple melody. Two non-compatible scores offer different range possibilities.

Score B is for 3 or 5 octaves with optional B-flat3 and F5 to F6 Bell Tree.
  Jesus Loves Me Traditional Wissinger, Kathleen 2-3
Review: Introduce an aspiring ringer to Bell Tree or solo/duet ringing with this very easy, straightforward 1 octave rendition of Jesus Loves Me. It is accessible for 1, 2 or 3 octaves thanks to five score formats. All BT scores can also played as Early Beginner piano scores – and each range has a very easy piano accompaniment allowing 2 young musicians to successfully collaborate in worship or concert.
  Little Rock Brokering, Lois Wissinger, Kathleen 1-3
Review: “Little Rock” is a simple engaging song about creation by Lois Brokering with a repetitive text and a catchy tune. Many performances options are included: 1) Handbell Bell Tree Solo and piano; 2) Children’s Anthem and Piano with opt. C instrument and guitar; 3) Children’s Anthem with self-accompanying chords in a charted chord score; 4) Include the congregation in the fun with the Bulletin insert or text slides; 5) Add a very easy L1 1-3 oct. Handbell/Handchime score; 6) Mix and Match any or all of the possibilities!
  Quiet Prayer Wissinger, Kathleen 2-3
Review: Perfect for a quiet moment in worship or concert, this piece features a lovely melody with a simple ostinato in the lower bells. Ideal for a Bell Tree duet (sharing one bell), it can also be played as a solo by omitting the embellished voice, or as a 12-bell 4iH Trio or a ringing ensemble.
  Rowan Tree Scottish Folk Tune Wissinger, Kathleen 2-5
Review: Dedicated to the composer's friend and mentor, Tim Waugh, "The Rowan Tree" is a heartfelt Scottish ballad (featured in the movie Living) that is perfect for a calm, uplifting moment in a concert or festival.
  Savior of the Nations Come Traditional Wissinger, Kathleen 3-5
Review: Mysterious and lush: 2 options in this flexible score allow anywhere from a single Bell Tree Soloist up to a full 5 octave choir using suspended mallet rolls to perform this brief but lovely piece for Advent and the Holidays. There is also an opt. chime duet Eb5-C7, 13 chimes.
  Skip Jack Wissinger, Kathleen 3
Review: This original Celtic jig of Medium difficulty can be played by 2-11 ringers using bells and opt. chimes. The jaunty melody (A5-C7) can played by Belltree solo, a 4iH duo or 3-6 ringers, and the supporti
  Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child Spiritual Wissinger, Kathleen 2
Review: 4 to 6 ringers on G4-Bb5 (10 bells or 12 bells with opt. C/D6) supply a rich accompaniment for a soulful Cello/Bell Tree/C instrument solo. Two optional bass parts make it even fuller (C4-G4 & C3-G3 chimes are ideal).
  Thankful Heart, A Wissinger, Kathleen 2-3
Review: An initial offering in the new “First String Series” (featuring belltree pieces for one octave, more or less), “A Thankful Heart” will fast become a go-to favorite for its lovely theme and its versatility: play it as a simple, poignant belltree solo on 8 bells using either G5-G6 or C6-C7 – or add the piano accompaniment for a fuller presentation.
  Trumpet Tune Clarke, Jeremiah Wissinger, Kathleen 2-3
Review: Part of the First String series of bell tree pieces of one octave, more or less, Jeremiah Clarke’s "Trumpet Tune" is iconic for wedding processionals – and will be welcome as a festive note in worship and concert as well.
  Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Traditional Wissinger, Kathleen 1 or 3
Review: Bell Trees are intriguing and so much fun to play! Let’s start with “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”! The first three progressive 6-bell Bell Tree pieces (Scores A - Very Easy, B - Easy & C - Medium Easy) were featured in the Spring 2019 issue of Overtones. A few more challenging variations are included in this folio (D1- Med. Difficult and E - Difficult) - plus a duet option (D2 - Medium) - plus a piano accompaniment for each setting – and all are reproducible. Each short piece stands on its own – but all versions can be tied together and presented as a medley – presented by different ringers - or by a single ringer - for a nice surprise in a concert or a capstone presentation at the end of a workshop.
  Veni Emmanuel Traditional Wissinger, Kathleen 3 or 5
Review: Advent is a time of awaiting magical promises. This simple and haunting rendition of "Veni Emmanuel" (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; 15th century, France) perfectly embodies that special feeling of wonder as we await the coming of the Christ Child.
  Veni Emmanuel Traditional Wissinger, Kathleen 2, 3 or 5
Review:

Emmanuel (15th century, France), perfectly embodying that special feeling of wonder as we anticipate the coming of the Christ Child. Set in two ranges – for 2 octaves or 3/5 octaves – each version includes options for Bell Tree solo (G5-G6 or C6-C7) or a ringing soloist (or 2, 3 or 4 ringers) on a separate set of chimes (these are the easiest options for the 2 oct. version, as ringing parts for chimes and bells often cross voices.)