Scherzo

Symphony No. 7 – Op. 92 by Beethoven – was deemed by Beethoven himself to be one of his best works. It was immediately quite popular and movements from it were often requested at encore. Frances has nicely captured the orchestral feel of this 3rd movement with the lively Scherzo scored in 3/4 time; however, the Spirito pulse dances along in “one.” Voicings throughout move between bells and handchimes with table mallets, thumb damps, and shakes adding energy and texture.

Composer: Beethoven, Ludwig van
Arranger: Newell, Frances
Octaves: 5
Level: 3
Publisher: From the Top Music

Scherzo

Sing Out to the Lord

Composer: Croft, William
Arranger: Martin, Gilbert M.
Octaves: 2
Level: NA
Publisher: Lorenz Corp.

Carillon Celebration

"Carillon Celebration" is an original work that emulates the sound of a carillon pealing its joyful sounds. The piece is nicely developed with syncopated accompaniment, an expressive middle section, a key change, and the addition of optional D2-C3 bells or chimes supporting it all.

Composer: Yiu, Chris
Octaves: 5-7
Level: 3+
Publisher: From the Top Music

Carillon Celebration

Variations on the Doxology

OLD HUNDREDTH is the tune used in this knockout arrangement. A straightforward chorale setting leads into an energetic toccata section, then an easy fughetta morphs into a brilliant finale.

Composer: Hymn Tune
Arranger: Tucker, Sondra K.
Octaves: 2-5
Level: 2
Publisher: Jubilate Music Group

Variations on the Doxology

New Day Fanfare

This sparkling original piece is perfect for worship or concert. With compatible 2-3 octave and 3-6 octave versions, "New Day Fanfare" also makes a great festival piece, with lots of teachable moments.

Composer: Eithun, Sandra
Octaves: 2-6
Level: 3
Publisher: Jubilate Music Group

New Day Fanfare

Everything to God In Prayer

This meditative arrangement by Ron Mallory combines "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" with "Sweet Hour of Prayer".

Composer: Converse, Charles C. and Bradbury, William
Arranger: Mallory, Ron
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 2
Publisher: Jubilate Music Group

Everything to God In Prayer

Conquering the Grave

This triumphant yet accessible arrangement of the hymn tunes TRURO and DIADEMATA is perfect for Eastertide worship or general occasions.

Composer: Elvey, George J. and Williams, Thomas
Arranger: Laumann, Craig
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 2
Publisher: Jubilate Music Group

Conquering the Grave

Passacaglia

In "Passacaglia", Valerie Stephenson employs the C Major scale in a style reminiscent of Pachelbel’s "Canon in D" to introduce handbell and handchime ringers to several different handbell techniques. Easy to learn and fun to play, this piece is equally at home in a sacred or secular setting.

Arranger: Stephenson, Valerie W.
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 3-
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

Passacaglia

Glory Hallelujah

"Glory, Hallelujah!" is a setting of the 19th-century folk hymn SHOUT ON that bursts with joyful enthusiasm. The instrumental parts are optional but add a layer of fun and musical interest.

Composer: American Folk Hymn
Arranger: Phillips, Judy
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 2
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

Glory Hallelujah

Soon I Will Be Done

This arrangement of "Soon I Will Be Done" sprang from Mary Kay Parrish's memories of singing the spiritual in her high school chorus. This setting requires careful attention to dynamic changes and precise execution of rhythmic patterns in order to convey the rich texture of the piece.

Composer: Traditional Spiritual
Arranger: Parrish, Mary Kay
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 3+
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

Soon I Will Be Done

Bell Soul

"Bell Soul" offers a blues-style piece to add to your handbell repertoire. It exudes a feeling of pure joy and happiness that ringers and listeners alike will appreciate.

Composer: Burroughs, Bob
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 3-
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

Bell Soul

All Night All Day

This is an accessible, 2-3 octave arrangement of the traditional spiritual, with optional handchimes, flute, temple blocks, and Bongos. The piece stands alone without the optional instruments, but the use of any, or all of them, adds color and interest to this simple, fun arrangement.

Composer: Traditional
Arranger: Morris, Hart
Octaves: 2-3
Level: 2
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

All Night All Day

America the Beautiful

This is a rousing, 3-5 octave arrangement of the tune MATERNA with optional handchimes, B-flat trumpets, and piano or synthesizer.

Composer: Ward, Samuel A.
Arranger: McKechnie, Linda
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 3-
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

America the Beautiful

Star Spangled Banner

This arrangement provides the ideal performance piece for all invitations to play the National Anthem - sporting events, mall gatherings, retirement centers, outdoor musical performances - or wherever the creative handbell director might envision.

Composer: Unknown
Arranger: Burroughs, Bob
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 3
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

Star Spangled Banner

Give Me Jesus

Though bells and chimes stand alone in this arrangement of the beloved spiritual, the optional violin (or clarinet) part enhances the ethereal quality of the piece.

Composer: Traditional Spiritual
Arranger: Glasgow, Michael J.
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 3-
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

Give Me Jesus

We're Marching to Zion

This setting of the familiar hymn is fun to ring and enjoyable to hear! It begins with a gentle, waltz-like rhythm, then segues into a style that conveys the feeling of marching.

Composer: Lowry, Robert
Arranger: Parrish, Mary Kay
Octaves: 3
Level: 3
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

We're Marching to Zion

Let Us Break Bread Together

Arranged for 3-5 octaves, this setting of the familiar spiritual begins with singing bells and includes optional flute, clarinet, and/or cello. Listen closely for an occasional phrase from the hymn tune BREAD OF LIFE.

Composer: Traditional Spiritual
Arranger: Morris, Hart
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 2+
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

Let Us Break Bread Together

Fantasy on Hymn to Joy

Beethoven was masterful at creating excitement, energy, and life in his melodies. Building on Beethoven's foundation, this arrangement of his "Ode to Joy" is filled with delightful surprises, including rhythmic changes from 4/4 to 6/8 and back again.

Composer: Beethoven, Ludwig van
Arranger: Burroughs, Bob
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 3
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

Fantasy on Hymn to Joy

Low In the Grave He Lay

This arrangement of the traditional Easter hymn begins quietly. Three verses are played in a subdued manner before a short transition leads to the refrain, with a quicker tempo and change of mood.

Composer: Lowry, Robert
Arranger: Morris, Hart
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 3-
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

Low In the Grave He Lay

What Wondrous Love Is This

This arrangement of the tune WONDROUS LOVE begins in a starkly simple fashion, then the arranger takes it in a completely new direction before returning to the simplicity of the beginning to focus the attention on the lyrics.

Composer: Traditional
Arranger: Burroughs, David
Octaves: 3-4
Level: 2+
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

What Wondrous Love Is This

All Things Bright and Beautiful

This fresh and beautiful arrangement of a traditional English melody is easy to put together in just a few rehearsals. There are no bell changes and while the handchimes are optional they add color and interest.

Composer: Traditional English Melody
Arranger: Ingram, Bill
Octaves: 3
Level: 2-
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Procession on Ellacombe

"Procession on ELLACOMBE" challenges ringers to demonstrate excellence in musicianship. This stately hymn tune setting features an optional Bb Trumpet or C-instrument.

Composer: Hymn Tune
Arranger: Burroughs, Bob
Octaves: 3-5
Level: 3
Publisher: Celebrating Grace

Procession on Ellacombe

Concertato on Lord You Give the Great Commission

C5 to D7 are required to add additional accompaniment to this concertato on the tune ABBOT'S LEIGH, whose text begins: "Lord, you gave the great commission: 'Heal the sick and preach the word.'"

Composer: Taylor, C.
Arranger: Haugen, M.
Octaves: 4
Level: 2
Publisher: G.I.A. Publications, Inc.

O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Tower Swings and Echos provide warmth and tenderness to this arrangement of the revered PASSION CHORALE. At Level 1+ it is attainable by any ensemble but even groups with more experience will find a challenge in perfecting the musicianship of their techniques.

Composer: Hassler, Hans Leo
Arranger: Scholes, Linda
Octaves: 2-5
Level: 1+
Publisher: G.I.A. Publications, Inc.

O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Calvary Melody

Unlike most original handbell compositions, "Calvary Melody" is a Level 1+ piece. And while quite accessible for any ensemble, this thoughtful and tender work is worthy of more advanced groups when subtle dynamic changes and careful attention to the melody are performed.

Composer: Childers, Brian
Octaves: 2-5
Level: 1+
Publisher: G.I.A. Publications, Inc.

Calvary Melody

Rays of Hope

Throughout all of life’s trials, hope gives us the strength to rebuild and confidently reinvent our circumstances. "Rays of Hope" is an original piece for handbells that depicts the remnants of a storm that has passed, and then begins to hint at the light that is coming to bring us a new day.

Composer: Eithun, Sandra
Octaves: 3-6
Level: 3
Publisher: Choristers Guild

Rays of Hope

Abiding Joy

Abiding Joy is a compilation of joyous, accessible handbell selections that will bring delight to both ringers and listeners. This reproducible collection contains uplifting hymn arrangements by Patricia Hurlbutt, Anna Laura Page, Valerie W. Stephenson, and Tammy Waldrop, plus a delightful original composition by Brenda Austin.

Composer: Various
Arranger: Various
Octaves: 2-5
Level: 1+
Publisher: Choristers Guild

Abiding Joy

Endless Prayer and Praise

Endless Prayer and Praise is a reproducible collection for 8 handbells and piano. The handbell parts are playable on a 2 octave set of handbells. Of the five hymn tune arrangements, you will find two spritely, bold arrangements and three gentle, prayerful arrangements.

Composer: Various
Arranger: Buckwalter, Karen Lakey
Octaves: 2
Level: 2
Publisher: Choristers Guild

Endless Prayer and Praise