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 haunting ancient Celtic melody has been recast for 3-5 octaves of handbells and optional 3 octave handchimes.
Composer: Traditional Irish Ballad Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 3-7 Level: 3+ Publisher: Camelia Music Rating: Medium
Be All Merrie - A Celtic Frolic is a 4-minute high-voltage romp employing plenty of fast ringing, sonorous harmony, multiple articulation techniques (often at the same time), and unstoppable good vibes (literally!) The Celtic flavor is tart and cheery.
Composer: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 5-7 Level: 5- Publisher: Choristers Guild Rating: Advance
Be Thou My Vision: one of the most well-loved hymns in the world, often this tune is sweet. This arrangement is all about POWER, with fabulous harmonies underneath the familiar tune.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 5-7 Level: 5 Publisher: Camelia Music Rating: Medium Advance
Straightforward L2 rendition of the Ukrainian classic. 3-5 octave, with limited 5 octave notes and minimal bell changes. Perfect for the young energetic choir.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 3-5 Level: NA Publisher: Camelia Music Rating: Easy Medium
Challenging L4 romp in classic Celtic fiddling style in lively 6/8 meter, suitable for clogging to. In fact, its original version is a piece for 2 violins, cello and piano, as a movement of Suite for the Sweets, also by Catherine McMichael. Celtic Queen refers to the mom in the family that commissioned the piece. Each family member got a movement describing their particular personality and Celtic Queen describes a lady who is strong, hopeful, and loves to dance.
Composer: Irish Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 5 Level: 4 Publisher: Camelia Music Rating:
Beginning quietly, this composition weaves a captivating musical tapestry full of color, variety, and deep emotion.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 3-7 Level: 3+ Publisher: Lorenz Corp. Rating: Medium
From the composer of AGEHR's 50th Anniversary Composition Contest winner, here's an exquisitely beautiful arrangement of the "Ubi Caritas" chant antiphon.
Composer: Chant Antiphon Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 3-6 Level: 3+ Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium Advance
Powerful and direct. A great L2 hymn, familiar, but not often heard. Minimal bell changes, 3-5 octaves, mostly low octave reinforcement. Good for youth or intermediate adult choirs.
This exquisite arrangement of the sturdy hymn "Trust and Obey" makes inventive use of random suspended mallet work.
Composer: Towner, D.B. Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3 Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
A wonderful choice for Thanksgiving or general use, this classic arrangement of the beloved hymn tune is straightforward, beautiful, and accessible at Level 2.
Composer: Kocher, Conrad Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2 Publisher: Hope Publishing Co. Rating: Easy Medium
This L5 4½ minute beautifully melodic serenade for 5 octaves was commissioned by the Grace Notes bell choir of Winstead United Methodist Church, Wilson, NC, directed by Joyce Wolf. The title is a nod to the choir by using Grace in its name, and Ascending refers the optimism and joy in the constantly rising melodic line.
Composer: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 5 Level: 5 Publisher: Camelia Music Rating: Advance
Kids just wanna have fun! (and so do grown-ups!) and this L2+ 3-5 octave arrangement of an old favorite delivers. Let your inner soul jump out.
Rhythmic syncopation, RT and accents, bell changes, mallets and exciting dynamics make this number a lively and engaging spiritual for all ages.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 3 Level: 2 Publisher: Camelia Music Rating: Easy Medium
For 5-7 octaves of bells and 3-5 octaves of optional chimes: very closely based upon the Holst orchestral piece, with much more thematic material than just the famous THAXTED hymn tune.
Composer: Holst, Gustav Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 5-7 Level: 5 Publisher: Camelia Music Rating: Advance
An original piece commissioned for the Bay View Week of Handbells 2013, "Odyssey" features a rhythmic theme that propels the music in the opening section and is then followed by the singing bell and vibrato techniques.
Composer: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 5-7 Level: 4+ Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Advance
This Level 3+ arrangement is faithfully adapted from the original string movement, breathtaking in its simplicity and grace. Technically it is not difficult, but rhythmic precision is the challenge.
Composer: Handel, Frederick Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 5-6 Level: NA Publisher: Camelia Music Rating:
"Ragtime Nightingale" is a very close transcription to the Joseph Lamb rag, originally composed in 1915 during the "Golden Age of Ragtime". It's considered by many, including this arranger, to be the most beautiful rag ever written.
Composer: Lamb, Joseph Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 5-7 Level: 4 Publisher: Camelia Music Rating: Medium Advance
This L3+ 3-5 octave dramatic piece will press all your buttons: energetic motivic opening full of building blocks of chords in minor, followed by a melodic, optimistic serenade in major.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3+ Publisher: Camelia Music Rating: Medium
This adaptation of W.A. Mozart's original work is scored with numerous bell techniques and performance instructions written in the score. It is a challenge for advanced choirs. 136 measures.
Composer: Mozart, W. A. Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 7 Level: 4+ Publisher: Camelia Music Rating:
This composition is derived from the movement from "Le Porte del Paradiso". It opens with a haunting e dorian melody, echoed in all octaves, and proceeds to a gentle waltz in the middle.
Composer: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 5 Level: 4 Publisher: Camelia Music Rating: Medium Advance
This flowing L2+ 3-5 octave arrangement uses tenor voicing for the melody at times and LV technique. No chromatic bell changes are needed, making this a good choice for the intermediate choir of any age.
Composer: Quaker Tune Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2+ Publisher: Camelia Music Rating: Easy Medium
As Pentecost comes 50 days after Easter, this piece has 50 measures, one for each day leading to the pouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and thus the founding of the Christian Church.
Composer: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3 Publisher: Camelia Music Rating: Medium
This adaptation for 5-7 octaves of bells and chimes is the third movement of Rachmaninoff’s Suite #1 for two pianos, Fantasy, Op. 5, written when he was a 20 year old student at the Moscow Conservatory. Adapting this achingly beautiful lament for bells highlights the resonance, melodic layering, fabulous harmonic structure and bell-tone lines that Rachmaninoff is noted for.
Composer: Rachmaninoff, Sergei Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 5-7 Level: 5 Publisher: Camelia Music Rating: Medium Advance
The "Gift of Love," Purcell's "Trumpet Tune," and "St. Anthony's Chorale" are wonderfully arranged by Catherine McMichael for services or weddings.
Composer: Various Arranger: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2+ Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Easy Medium
This L3+ 3-5 octave evocative piece is the perfect choice for any occasion calling for a peaceful and melodic interlude with bells, as well as a memorial, remembrance, farewell, or celebration of life.
Composer: McMichael, Catherine Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3+ Publisher: Camelia Music Rating: Medium
The "Olde Irish Aire" in question is none other than LONDONDERRY AIR or more affectionately known as "Danny Boy." Open chordal textures and flowing rhythms patterns characterize the majority of this setting, which should work up quickly. If use for church, consider printing the text to Dottie Rambo's "He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need" sung to the same tune.
Composer: Arranger: McMichael, C. Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2 Publisher: Lorenz Corp. Rating: Easy