News & Views Thursday, March 28, 2024

Handbell Music for Lent & Easter 2016 Wednesday, February 24, 2016

recommended by Jennifer Fry, Handbell Music Specialist

Are your ringers ready for a new challenge during the Lenten season? Try one of these excellent selections for Lent and Easter!

lorenz-20_1871sf-fThat Easter Day with Joy Was Bright arr. Anna Laura Page
Full of the joy promised in the title, this piece features a unique chordal accompaniment that beautifully supports the melody, all in celebration of His ascension. Quick in tempo, the music sounds best when felt in one.

Ah, Holy Jesus arr. Terry Osman
With minimal bell changes, this straightforward arrangement lends itself to success in just a few rehearsals. The perfect addition to your Lenten and Holy Week observances, this piece will help your ringers develop their dynamic range from pp to ff.

chorgd-cgb930-fThe Day of Resurrection arr. Cathy Moklebust
This flexible arrangement of the tune LANCASHIRE is given two titles, one for Easter and the other for general use during the church year. All the instrumental and vocal parts are optional, so it can stand on its own as a handbell piece. After a fanfare introduction, stanza 1 is scored for congregation and SATB choir. Stanza 2 begins with the women singing, then the men sing midway through. A brief interlude leads into Stanza 3, which includes a choral descant. A reproducible congregational page is provided for each hymn text.

Easter and Beyond arr. Michael Helman
In this reproducible collection, you will find a wealth of hymn-tune settings by some of today’s most outstanding handbell arrangers for the festive weeks following Easter. Some of these masterfully crafted arrangements can also be performed by six-octave choirs, and many feature an optional two to five octaves of handchimes.

bpi-hb532-fRide On, King Jesus arr. Anna Laura Page
An engaging arrangement of Ride On, King Jesus and Plenty Good Room, this energetic setting uses special techniques to highlight the melody and to provide interesting accompaniments. As the piece progresses it becomes more active, building to a great ending. Don’t miss Ride On, King Jesus!

Beneath the Cross of Jesus arr. Alan Lohr
Written for the Bob Jones University Handbell Ensemble, this lyrical arrangement of the familiar hymn offers an opportunity to expose choirs to key signatures that they may not normally see. Careful bell assignments will help to avoid challenging bell changes.

Ring Glory, Laud and Honor arr. Lloyd Larson
Lloyd Larson creatively uses the tunes ELLACOMBE and ST. THEODULPH in this Palm Sunday composition. This setting actively involves all ringers and shares the melody between the bass bells. This solid arrangement will be a great addition to your ensemble’s repertoire.

For more great recommendations, contact us at 1.800.426.8742. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Author:
Jennifer Fry is a graduate of Otterbein College with a degree in Vocal Performance. She has worked at Stanton’s for over 14 years specializing in Sacred Choral, Classical Vocal and Handbell music. Jennifer is a soprano section leader in the Chancel Choir at First Community Church in Columbus Ohio, and is also the founder, Artistic Director and bass bell ringer for Handbells Columbus.


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