Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land

Alfred Handbells

3-5 Octaves

This creative and fun arrangement of the familiar spiritual begins with mallet clicks that set the tone for the piece. The melody appears over a rhythmically malleted bass line with a bit of a blues or jazzy feel. Lots of syncopations make this a learning opportunity for most Level 2 groups, but the end result will be a fun piece for concert or worship.  

Praise to the Living God

Beckenhorst Press

3-5 Octaves

This arrangement of the traditional Hebrew melody prominently features shifting harmonies and a number of techniques, including martellato, martellato lifts, shakes, and malleting. The contrasting sections of this piece make it appropriate for a variety of musical settings.  

Somebody's Knocking at Your Door

Alfred Handbells

3-6 Octaves

A laid-back bass groove and mallet hits/clicks drive this exciting arrangement of the traditional spiritual "Somebody's Knocking at Your Door."    Ringers will enjoy the opportunity to be part of the “rhythm section” as the persistent knocking continues, with shakes and echo effects adding to the fun.  It will delight your audiences and is appropriate for concert, worship, festival, and school occasions all year long.  

Sound the Bright Trumpets

Brass & Bronze Music

3-5 Octaves

This chorus from J. S. Bach's Cantata #207a is a  baroque gem that will delight ringers and listeners. It's a short and sweet piece, and is a solid level 2.  

Stand Up For Jesus!

Red River Music

3-6 Octaves

Mallets - on bells, on tables, on themselves! - feature heavily in this arrangement of the classic hymn. The result gives an almost “marching band” feel to the performance, making it as enjoyable to ring as it is to hear. This is a sure winner that will be accessible to almost any choir!

Three Christmas Miniatures

Brass & Bronze Music (available through SheetMusic Plus)

3-5 Octaves

These short arrangements of traditional carols were written with less experienced handbell players in mind. The easy to master pieces in this set have a full sound and will provide a successful ringing experience for players, and the use of additional handbell effects will delight audiences and ringers alike. Selections are:

• Joy to the World
• Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
• Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.

They may be played separately, or as a suite of carols. HMA Level 1+ to 2-

Three MORE Christmas Miniatures

Brass & Bronze Music (available through SheetMusic Plus)

3-5 Octaves

Following the format of "Three Christmas Miniatures", these short arrangements of traditional carols were written with less experienced handbell players in mind. Easy to master, but with a full sound, and will provide a successful ringing experience for players of any skill level. The use of additional handbell effects adds interest for audiences and ringers alike. Selections are

• Angels from the Realms of Glory
• Silent Night
• The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns.

They may be played separately, or as a suite of carols. HMA Level 1+ to 2-

Trumpet Tune

Brass & Bronze Music (available through SheetMusic Plus)

3-5 Octaves

Here is Purcell's classic Trumpet Tune, arranged for intermediate handbell choir.  It would be a great opening piece for your concert or service when you want a quick fanfare, or as a filler in a program of other bell music.  Great for teaching dotted-eighth / sixteenth rhythms and baroque style, and even has a few trills for your high bell players! Playable by 3 octave choirs, but scored for up to 5 octaves with optional d8. 

The Wise and Foolish Builders

Choristers Guild

3-5 Octaves

You can hear the hammers pound as the wise man and the foolish man build their houses, then feel the battering storm and experience the crash as the house on the sand meets its inevitable fall!  This arrangement of the beloved childrens' song illustrates the story using mallet clicks and a stormy 3/4 section, with the optional percussion adding to the fun. 

Somebody's Knocking at Your Door

Alfred Handbells

Handbell solo, optional percussion and Cymbells/bell tree

Maintaining the form and the laid-back bass groove of the full choir arrangement, soloists can now share this great spiritual.  The solo carries both the melody and a malleted countermelody, which can be played on bell tree or Cymbells. 

Handbell Duet / Quartet / Ensemble

Devil's Dream

Brass & Bronze Music (available through SheetMusic Plus)

This fiddle tune is from the New England area of the United States, but has its origins in British folk music.  Arranged for 8 bells, it's playable by two players (playing 4-in-hand) or by four players. The faster, the better, so buckle up for this one!

Hyfrydol (Alleluia! Sing to Jesus / Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus)

Brass & Bronze Music (available through SheetMusic Plus)

12 bell Handbell Ensemble 

HYFRYDOL is a well-loved Welsh hymn tune, with no fewer than 90 texts in at least 7 languages set to this flowing melody.  Common English language texts are “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”, “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” and “Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!” for general use, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” for Advent, and “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” for the Easter season.  This 12+ bell arrangement can be played by as few as three players, but was intended for six young ringers as an introduction to handbell ensembles.  Bells used range from Bb4 to F6 with optional G6 and Bb6.; suggested assignments for 3, 4, or 6 ringers are included.