Ring Praises Unto Thee
Young ringers (and old ones, too!) will have a workout on contrasts in this lively original composition for 2-3 octaves of bell and 10 optional handchimes (F#5-G6). The beginning sets forth an upbeat, major-key melody featuring a spicy eighth-dotted quarter rhythm against half note accompaniment. The next phrase goes straight into the parallel minor key with plucked accompaniment and chimes on the melody. This contrast between major and minor tonalities is played on throughout the piece. In the end, except for a few harmonic twists, the major key wins out.