Amazing Grace

Three stanzas of "Amazing Grace" are set here in this well crafted arrangement. Your ringers stay involved throughout and will greatly enjoy this piece.

Amazing Grace

Awake

This spirited and lively original handbell piece will be an exciting prelude for worship or opening piece for a concert. Awaken the ears of the listener to the delightful rhythms and techniques of the bells.

Awake

Bells Must Ring

"The Bells Must Ring!" is the Winner of the 2021-2022 Handbell Musicians of America Area 3 Adult Handbell Festival Composition Contest. Each version - 3-5 octaves and 2-3 octaves - stands alone as a handbell prelude, but they also are compatible for use in massed ringing or in a bell program with multiple choirs.

Bells Must Ring

Come Down O Love Divine

"Come Down, O Love Divine" by John A. Behnke is a perfect handbell and handchime piece for Pentecost.

Come Down O Love Divine

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Based on the tune JEFFERSON, this arrangement with a bass ostinato pattern definitely sets the mood for Advent. Varying dynamics, dramatic martellatos, and effective crescendos give great opportunities for music-making.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Fanfare Intrada

"Fanfare Intrada" by John A. Behnke is a lively and spirited original piece for handbells filled with lots of exciting techniques like thumb damps, plucking, swings, mart lifts, echoes, and a shake. Besides being a rousing prelude for worship or concert, it also can make a wonderful teaching piece.

Fanfare Intrada

First Noel

This is an absolutely beautiful, yet easy arrangement of this Christmas favorite. Who says music has to be hard to be beautiful? This Level 2 arrangement for 3-5 octaves of handbells has NO bell changes, so tables are not necessary.

First Noel

Gaudete

"Gaudete" literally means 'rejoice' in Latin and is a sacred Christmas carol that was thought to have been composed in the 16th century. The 3rd Sunday of Advent is sometimes called Gaudete Sunday. This arrangement combines the Gaudete tune with another familiar hymn of joy which springs forth at the end of the piece.

Gaudete

Gladsong

For a beginning group that wants to sound good, this original piece can be used any time for worship or for a concert. With an ABABA structure, the returning music gives confidence to the ringers and yet is engaging and delightful for the listeners.

Gladsong

Glorious Praise C5 - G7 Version

If you have less than a full choir, "Glorious Praise" is an original, Level 2 piece for worship or concert. Designed for 3-6 ringers, it has a joyful melody and contrasts solid ringing with thumb damps. It comes in two versions F5-C7 (JAB057) or C5-G6 (JAB058).

Glorious Praise C5 - G7 Version

Glorious Praise F5 - C7 Version

If you have less than a full choir, "Glorious Praise" is an original, Level 2 piece for worship or concert. Designed for 3-6 ringers, it has a joyful melody and contrasts solid ringing with thumb damps. It comes in two versions F5-C7 (JAB057) or C5-G6 (JAB058).

Glorious Praise F5 - C7 Version

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

John Behnke combines the Christmas songs "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" and "Fum, Fum, Fum" in what will be an audience favorite. The bell part stands alone as a fine arrangement, but there are also parts for an optional string orchestra or organ to accompany.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Joyful Rondo

This new, original piece features two compatible versions, one for 2-3 octaves and one for 4-6 octaves. It is fun, catchy, and sounds harder than it is.

Joyful Rondo

Just a Closer Walk With Thee

This is a jazzy little setting of the well known hymn "Just a Closer Walk With Thee". The piece begins with a catchy opening which draws us into the rhythmic melody.

Just a Closer Walk With Thee

Music for Before and After the Readings

With this collection of short excerpts from seasonal hymns, bell choirs can now provide music as the readers move to and from the lectern.

Music for Before and After the Readings

Now Praise the Lord

This concertato of an original hymn based on Psalm 150 is great for Music Sunday, dedication of an instrument, or recognition of your musicians. Everything you need is in one package; the hymn, full score, choir descant, and parts for 3-5 octave handbells, brass quintet, and cymbals.

Now Praise the Lord

On This Day Earth Shall Ring

Two compatible versions, one for 2-3 octaves and one for 4-6 octaves, of a new arrangement of the Christmas favorite "On This Day Earth Shall Ring".

On This Day Earth Shall Ring

O Sacred Head Now Wounded

This is a beautiful Level 2 arrangement for 3-5 octaves of bells with NO bell changes. Because of this, ringers with their two handbells and a music stand can be placed safely in the church or concert hall.

O Sacred Head Now Wounded

O Sing to the Lord

Whether it's with bells alone, or bells, guitar, and piano, this arrangement exudes joy and gladness. Infectious rhythms are used throughout this fun arrangement for 6 ringers playing 13 bells.

O Sing to the Lord

Prelude In C Minor

John Behnke has arranged the Bach "Prelude in C Minor", for 5 octaves of handbells. The prelude builds in intensity from the beginning bass malleted section to the ending with big, fortissimo chords.

Prelude In C Minor

Prepare the Royal Highway

There are no bell changes in this arrangement of the Swedish tune BEREDEN VÄG FUR HERRAN. Both treble and bass ringers get to play the melody and the only technique used is thumb damp for articulation contrast.

Prepare the Royal Highway

Puer Nobis Nascitur

This famous melody is used with four well-known hymn texts - "On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry"; "That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright"; "O Love How Deep, How Broad"; and "O Splendor of God's Glory Bright". Because of this, the arrangement can be used at various times of the year.

Puer Nobis Nascitur

Remembering

"Remembering" is an original piece to remember those that have passed away due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are minimal bell changes and no sharing of bells. The music begins with a tolling bell and a melody emerges which seeks to express the significance of each life lived, including their struggle with this virus.

Note: 2 octave version is NOT compatible with the 3-5 octave version.

Remembering

Thieving Magpie, The

A Martha Lynn Thompson transcription of "The Thieving Magpie" by Gioacchino Rossini. Composed in 1817, the overture to this fun two-act opera sets a military tone about the mystery of a stolen spoon, actually taken by the bird.

Thieving Magpie, The

Toccatina F5 - F6 Version

If you have 2-4 talented and motivated ringers wishing to ring more, consider "Toccatina", a lively, Level 2+ virtuosic original piece for worship or concert. Exciting to watch as well as to listen to. It comes in two versions, F5-F6 (JAB059) or G5-G6 (JAB060).

Toccatina F5 - F6 Version

Toccatina G5 - G6 Version

If you have 2-4 talented and motivated ringers wishing to ring more, consider "Toccatina", a lively, Level 2+ virtuosic original piece for worship or concert. Exciting to watch as well as to listen to. It comes in two versions, F5-F6 (JAB059) or G5-G6 (JAB060).

Toccatina G5 - G6 Version

Westminster Chimes

"Westminster Chimes" is arranged by John A. Behnke for 2-3 octaves, 4 or 5 ringers, Level 1. Here the famous Westminster Chime pattern is in 5 different keys: C, D, Eb, F, and G major to provide options for a seamless segue into the opening hymn.

Westminster Chimes