Handbells: Small Ensembles for Advent & Christmas Monday, November 09, 2020
recommended by Jennifer F., Handbell Music Specialist
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel arr. Michael Ryan, 2-3 octaves, Level 1
Neither subdivision of the beat nor bell or chime changes are found in this expansive setting of everyone’s favorite Advent hymn tune. The work is only 45 measures in length and just about rings itself. The introspective music is well within the grasp of any ensemble.
Keep It Simple 5: Christmas Sacred & Secular arr. Lloyd Larson, 3 octave collection, Level 1
Created with the beginning choir in mind, these are readily accessible arrangements of Christmas favorites for for 2- or 3-octave choirs. Full and dynamic chords coupled with appealing arrangements characterize these settings. The eight titles are a blend of sacred and secular favorites providing ideal repertoire considerations for lesser experienced groups or ensembles needing to prepare yuletide selections with limited preparation time during the busy holiday season. Titles include: “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” “Deck the Halls,” “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice,” “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly,” “Jingle Bells,” “O Christmas Tree,” “The First Noel,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Ring in the Season! arr. Douglas E. Wagner, 2-3 octave reproducible collection, Level 1
Fourteen popular carol tunes are presented in seven creative medleys, designed to cheer and inspire congregations and concert audiences. None of these titles present undue technical demands, and ringers will encounter neither accidentals (bell/chime changes) nor subdivisions of the beat. Each arrangement is a fresh-sounding gem, solidly scored to foster confident ringing, and quite easy for any ensemble to prepare quickly. Titles include: “In Solemn Stillness (Silent Night, Holy Night and It Came Upon the Midnight Clear),” “O Come, One and All (O Come, All Ye Faithful and O Come, Little Children),” “When Christ Our Lord Was Born (The Snow Lay on the Ground and Susanni, Susanni),” “Christ Is Born Today! (Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella),” “Star of Wonder, Star of Light (We Three Kings of Orient Are and On This Day Earth Shall Ring),” “Great Our Joy! (Gentle Mary Laid Her Child and While By My Sheep),” and “Jingle All the Way! (Jingle Bells and Jolly Old Saint Nicholas).”
5 Carols for Beginning Ringers arr. Anna Laura Page, 2-3 octave collection, Level 1
A collection of five individual carol settings including: “O Come, All Ye Faithful;” “Away in a Manger;” “On This Day Earth Shall Ring;” “Silent Night, Holy Night;” and “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.” Each setting offers opportunities for teaching beginning ringers to achieve excellence in ringing with precision and musicianship. May be played with handbells or handchimes.
Handbell Hymns for Advent and Christmas Volume 3 arr. Douglas E. Wagner, 3 octave collection, Level 1
As angel choirs heralded the wondrous birth on that first Christmas night, we too celebrate this joyous event each year ringing the glorious music of the season. This latest addition to the Handbell Hymns series includes eight uncomplicated settings of Christmas favorites that are easily playable by eleven or more ringers and should take little time to prepare. As is the case with past volumes, ringers will encounter no subdivision of the beat and no accidentals. Titles include: “Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella,” “What Child Is This?,” “O Leave Your Sheep,” “Savior of the Nations, Come,” “O Come, Little Children,” “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” “When Christmas Morn Is Dawning,” and “The Snow Lay on the Ground.”
Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head arr. Cathy Moklebust, 2-3 octaves, Level 1
Lush, warm harmonies provide a lovely accompaniment for this arrangement of the well-loved carol. The piece can be played on either handbells or handchimes.
Joy to the World arr. Dan R. Edwards, 2-3 octaves, Level 1
“Joy to the World” is a joyous setting of the beloved Christmas carol and provides the opportunity for beginning ringers to learn careful execution of articulations.
Keep It Simple: Carols for Christmas arr. Lloyd Larson, 2 octave collection, Level 1
Lloyd Larson’s successful series Keep It Simple was created with the beginning choir in mind. These are readily accessible arrangements of Christmas favorites now available in both a new 2-octave version, and a 3-octave version. Full, lush and dynamic chords characterize these carol settings. Each selection is ideal for lesser experienced groups as well as ensembles needing to prepare several yuletide selections with limited preparation time during the busy holiday season. Titles include: “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,” “Away in a Manger/Still, Still, Still,” “In the Bleak Midwinter,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “Silent Night! Holy Night!,” “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” and “Joy to the World!”
Silent Night arr. Michael Helman, 2-3 octaves, Level 1
A beautifully crafted setting of the beloved Christmas carol, may be played with handbells or handchimes, use of repetition makes music easy to learn for beginning ringers, promises to be a favorite during the Christmas season.
A Quiet Christmas Eve arr. Jason W. Krug, 2-3 octaves, Level 1
This set of two level one arrangements is a perfect choice for a youth or beginning choir, or for a more advanced ensemble down a few ringers. Available in both 2-3 and 3-5 octave compatible editions, these settings of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and “Silent Night” are simple, yet harmonically rich and complex despite having no bell changes. Perfect for a Christmas Eve service, or any time during Advent.
We Three Kings arr. Barbara Kinyon, 2-3 octaves, Level 1
Beautiful setting of the familiar carol; a good piece for teaching beginners the use of mallets; appropriate for programs during the Christmas season and especially useful during Epiphany.
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About the Author:
Jennifer F. is a graduate of Otterbein College with a degree in Vocal Performance. She has worked at Stanton’s for over 15 years specializing in Sacred Choral, Classical Vocal and Handbell music. Jennifer is Director of Handbells at Worthington Presbyterian Church and sings in the First Church Choir at First Congregational Church in Columbus Ohio, and is also the founder, Artistic Director and bass bell ringer for Handbells Columbus.