Sing the thirteen original colonies in the order they joined the Union in a catchy song and you have the crux of “13 Stripes on the Flag” - fun to sing and cleverly teaching American history at the same time (a la “Fifty Nifty”). Just for fun, the order of the first nine states in the song are mirrored by the melodic intervals sung.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 1-5 Level: 1 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
These 3 versatile hymn tunes (BEACH SPRING, KINGSFOLD, NOEL NOUVELET) have many possible texts - for a wide range of liturgical uses. For 5-8 ringers, each well-known tune has 2 score to choose from, depending on range of bells available and ringer skills: Score “A” spans A4 to G6 using 2 oct. while Score “B” uses D5 to C7. Score “B” allows more ringers to 4iH the upper parts. Each tune setting is unique and engaging, carefully crafted to be complete using just 14 bells with 2 optional notes in 2 of the pieces.
Composer: Various Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-3 Level: 3 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Medium
How wonderful it is to be able to play during the Holiday season even with just 4 to 9 ringers! This collection of three short L2/L2+ favorites offers 2 settings to match your ringers’ needs: “A” for D5-C7 (opt. G4-C5) – and “B” for G4-F6 (opt. C4-F4). "He Is Born", "Coventry Caro" and "Ding Dong Merrily on High" will delight your audience or congregation with minimal set-up – these were written for MOSAIC Handbell Ensemble’s ringing at Grand Caverns’ Christmas Candlelight Tour, Grottoes, Va. (See our picture on the cover!)
Composer: Various Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-3 Level: 2+ Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
Three lovely, easy-to-ring Level 1 and 2 pieces (Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning, Let Us Break Bread Together on Our Knees and Saw Ye My Savior) are offered in two folios: RE4011A for 2 oct. and RE4011B 3 or 5 octaves. (The two editions are not compatible.) Rich harmonies in these short, interpretive settings will add depth to worship and concert during Epiphany, Lent, Passion Week, Good Friday or communion.
Composer: Various Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2 Level: 2- Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
Composer: Various Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3 or 5 Level: 2- Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
Haunting and heroic at the same time, “40 Days in the Desert” captures struggle and victory within the same breath. Written in single pulse 3/4 time, the strong melodic lines are supported by even stronger chords in c minor, with shifts in harmonics to G Major that brighten the mood briefly: Perfect for Lent, Passion Week, or any meditative moment in worship. When using the subtitle “The Ghost of Success” for secular concert and festival, the audience might be reminded of an Anime theme, which is not surprising since the composer, William Peters, was in 7th grade when he wrote this piece. He asked his handbell teacher (Kath Wissinger) to look at it and see if it would work for bells. With some very minor editing, William’s score showcases a new creative talent in handbells and beyond.
Composer: Peters, William Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
Three well-loved hymns, “Be Still, My Soul,” “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” and “Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling” are perfect for a quiet moment in worship or concert. Each Level 3 arrangement uses 8 to 14 bells (including accidentals), is complete on one page (no page turns!), and has rhythms that will keep your ringers nicely challenged.
“8 Bells for Advent” is perfect for 2, 3 or 4 ringers. Each short L2/2+ carol ("O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"; "Savior of the Nations, Come"; and "Prepare the Way, O Zion" – each with no bell changes) is offered in 4 different ranges, depending on which bells the ringers want to use.
Composer: Various Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 1-3 Level: 2+ Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
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.
Composer: Various Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 1 or 3 Level: NA Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
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.
Composer: Various Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 1 or 3 Level: NA Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
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.
Composer: Various Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2 Level: NA Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
Celebrate! This collection of 3 popular Christmas carols ("Infant Holy", "I Saw Three Ships" and "Deck the Halls") gives you the flexibility of 4 different settings - select the 8 bells that fit your ringers’ needs at the time.
Composer: Various Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 1-3 Level: 1+ Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
This 8-Bell collection showcases 3 favorite Easter tunes: 1) HYMN TO JOY (Ode to Joy/Christ is Risen!), 2) LLANFAIR (Jesus Christ is Risen Today) and 3) NOEL NOUVELET (Now the Green Blade Rises) – and all three hymn tunes have additional texts associated with them, allowing each to be played during other liturgical seasons as well.
This 8-Bell collection features 3 thoughtful Lenten tunes: 1) MORNING SONG (Lord, Throughout These 40 Days), 2) MARTYRDOM (Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed) and 3) KAS DZIEDAJA (In the Darkness) – and all three hymn tunes have additional texts associated with them, allowing each to be played during other liturgical seasons as well.
“8 Bells for Spirituals” is a welcome addition to the “Celebrations” Series of ringTrue Music: 3 popular L2/2+ Spirituals - “Guide My Feet,” “Ev’ry time I Feel the Spirit” and “There is a Balm in Gilead” - are cleverly arranged for just 8 bells playable by 4, 3, or even 2 ringers.
What fun!! "Three Blind Mice", "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "This Old Man" - cleverly arranged for 8, 9 or 10 bells for a light moment in a concert or to lead a sing along. Each short well-crafted Level 2 or 2+ arrangement is set in 4 different ranges for 1, 2 or 3 octaves.
Composer: Various Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 1-3 Level: 2 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
This original composition from Kathleen Wissinger introduces ringers to the joy of melodic eighth notes.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3 Level: 2- Publisher: Hope Publishing Co. Rating: Easy
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.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-3 Level: 2+ Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
Celtic harmonies and expansive scoring provide a fitting backdrop for the two familiar Advent hymn tunes, VENI EMMANUEL and BEREDEN VAG FOR HERRAN. Optional finger cymbals and wind chimes team up with ethereal harmonies and rythm patterns to produce a mysterious air.
Composer: Various Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-5 Level: 2+ Publisher: Lorenz Corp. Rating: Easy Medium
This upbeat traditional spiritual keeps ringers busy with many techniques, easy eighth notes, and melodies in treble and bass ranges.
Composer: Traditional Spiritual Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2- Publisher: Choristers Guild Rating: Easy Medium
Inspired by Hebrews 1:2, composer Kathleen Wissinger delivers an exciting and quite challenging original work for 3 to 5 octaves of handbells with an option for 3 to 5 octaves of chimes.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-5 Level: 5+ Publisher: G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Rating: Advance
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.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-3 Level: 3 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
This lovely renditon of Amazing Grace offers flexible settings in 2 different keys for 3 to 9 ringers: “A” requires either 1) a 2 octave set of bells or chimes with an alternate set of G5-G6 bells for a Bell Tree or 4iH Duet – or 2) a 4 octave set (lower 3rd and 4th octaves are optional). For both “A” versions G5 and below are optional. The “B” version offers a 3 or 5 octave range (C5 and below are optional notes). A Bell Tree is optional for the highest octave in all cases.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-5 Level: 2+ Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
Three variations of Amazing Grace weave a lovely tapestry of this beloved tune: Part 1 showcases the single-line melody with a very simple accompaniment; Part 2 enlivens the tune with an obbligato part in the treble - and the melody and stronger rhythmic statement in the lower bells; Part 3 is bolder yet, with richer chording and some harmonic interest. It’s perfect for any part of a worship service. Notes on setting up a Bell Tree and ways to practice Bell Trees at home are included.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-5 Level: 2 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
"The Angel Gabriel"--a traditional Basque Carol examining Mary’s wonder at bearing the Christ Child - is exquisitely arranged (Level 2) for 2 (A1), 4 (A2) and 3 or 5 (B) octaves. The “A” Scores are compatible. Appropriate for Advent or Christmas - worship, concert and festival - “The Angel Gabriel” adds a wonderful medieval note to the joyous season.
Composer: Basque Carol Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-5 Level: 2 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
Perfect for Christmas pageants and services, “At the Manger” will enhance the timeless recounting of the Nativity story. Each character (Jesus, Mary, The Star, etc.) has a short musical signature that is played whenever the narrator cues it. Easily learned by 2 to 21 or more non-ringers and novices (on 2-3 octaves) - each part can be taught either by rote or by rhythmic reminders on a set-up sheet.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-3 Level: 1 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
Imagine the awe and reverence felt when viewing a million twinkling stars and the expanse of the Milky Way on a dark, clear night captured in music: “Behold the Heavens.” Calm and ethereal, this piece is perfect for a meditative moment in worship, concert or festival.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-5 Level: 1+ Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
Hear the drone of the bagpipes! This original Celtic jig will delight your ringers and audience from the first note of the lilting original melody and the unusual turns it takes. Bass ringers play the open fifth intervals to support the melody.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3, 5 or 6 Level: 3 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Medium
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.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3 Level: 3 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Medium
Sub-titled "Love and Agony" and based on Luke 13:34, this original work is for four ringers and an optional chime part (bells in the 3-4 octave range). Plaintive and emotional, this work will require sensitivity in ringing and teamwork. Unless the ringers and chimer can share music, a part will be needed for each ringer.
Composer: Wissinger, K. Octaves: 3 Level: NA Publisher: National Handbell Music Rating:
The character marking of this original composition is "dolente", which is translated "sorrowful". The music exudes a reflective mood through use of long, broken chords, LV technique, and thoughtful melody. The texture and strength builds throughout the work, then rallentandos to the end in a placid mood. This piece would be beautiful for communion or another moment of meditation in worship.
Composer: Wissinger, K. Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
The bold chords and interesting harmonies in "Bronze Fanfare" will entice your ringers to master new techniques systematically introduced throughout this pedagogical piece.
This is an energetic celebratory composition with driving syncopated rhythms. It makes you feel like you just have to move with the music!
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-6 Level: 4+ Publisher: From the Top Music Rating: Medium Advance
The simple familiar tune by James Macbeth Bain (often paired with the text “The Lord’s My Shepherd”) is introduced with a lush, sustained singing bell chord. The second verse is supported with an easy alternating 8th note accompaniment, then suspended mallets and, near the end, fuller chords that strengthen the theme.
Composer: Bain, James MacBeth Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2- Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
This compelling piece evokes dawn at the shoreline and the promise of a day on the water – gentle pastel ripples at first, then fresh air and invigorating spray, and finally soft sunset on the water at the end. Subtitled “Living Water,” “Call of the Water” is ideal for worship – baptism, commissioning, dedication, meditation, offertory – as well as for concerts and Festivals.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-7 Level: 3 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Medium
This original composition is an educational etude, which introduces a variety of handbell techniques section by section.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-3 Level: 1 Publisher: Alfred Handbell / Jubilate Music Group Rating: Easy