Review:
Winner of the 2025 Area 10 Bell Tree Composition Contest, "The Way Back Home" is not the typical nostalgic reflection of a bygone place, nor a meandering, introspective road that sees a wanderer finally returning home, but rather an exuberant and joy-filled romp toward the place that welcomes far-flung family members back into the fold. It calls to mind the father in the story of the prodigal son who ran to meet his wayward son as soon as the young man came into view.
The contrast between the syncopated, mostly malleted bass line, the bell tree melody, and the countermelody played on chimes is simply stunning. There is a brief, more legato middle section, which allows a moment to remember the reason home is so special, before the listener is propelled ever onward toward home. This is a fabulous choice for concerts with a 'home' theme or for a worship service on Homecoming Sunday.
This piece is composed so that no duplicate bells are needed: the bell tree ringer uses C6 to C7, the choir uses C4-B5 handbells (opt C3-B4) and C4-C7 chimes (opt C3-G3 & D7-C8). A separate bell tree part is printed at the end of the piece; it is not reproducible, so please purchase a copy for the bell tree ringer.
The premier performance will take place at Coppers Classic, April 17-19, 2026, in the Portland, OR area.
Published by:
National Handbell Music
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Composer:
Longfield, Mark
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Arranger:
N/A
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Octaves:
3-5
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Level:
3
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Rating:
Medium
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Copyright:
2025
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Season:
All Year
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Classification:
Bell Tree
, Church or Concert
, Concert
, Instrument Part
, Original Composition
, Secular
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Technique:
Mallet
, Pl (Pluck)
, RT (Ring Touch)
, LV (Let Vibrate)
, Selective Damp
, Martellato
, Mallet Lift
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Voicing:
Handbells, No Choral
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Instrument:
Chimes(Choirchimes or Handchimes)
, Bell Tree
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Bells Used:
Three Octaves: 18 Bells; Four Octaves: 23 Bells; Five Octaves: 27 Bells
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