Looking for something different for your handbell choir to play? Here’s a list of original Larry Sue handbell music that just might fit the bill! Click on a title, and you’ll be taken to our music site, where you’ll find more details about each piece. You’ll be able to look at score preview pages, audio files, and information about how to purchase music from us!

A Minor Crash
5-8 octaves of handbells and optional handchimes, Level 4

This original composition is full of interesting rhythms. Separately, they’re fairly easy to learn; together they’re an exciting mix. With some exciting bass challenges, there is a somewhat easier middle section provided, in case you need to be less adventurous with the bass runs. This piece has been performed at the Bay View Week of Handbells.

Banana Passacaglia
3 or 5 octaves of handbells, Level 4

One day on Facebook, a post appeared:
Replace one word in the title with “banana.” What’s your favorite handbell piece?

With one reply being:
Banana Passacaglia

And then:
I would like for Larry Sue to get to work on this immediately.

Your choir and audience will love this original composition!

Beloved Friend
3-7 octaves of handbells and 2 octaves of handchimes, Level 3

Bernie Foulk rang with Kalamazoo Ringers from 2022 to 2025. He was a wonderful, kind and talented friend, and we’d all hoped to have many more years of ringing with him, but that was not to be. After a short illness, Bernie headed for the next life, and we started missing his wit, charm, enthusiasm, and especially his kindness.

Larry wrote this original composition in time for Kalamazoo Ringers to premiere at their 2025 spring concerts. The group only had a couple of rehearsals to put it together, but played from the heart, and it went very well.

In Bernie’s memory, all proceeds from the sale of this piece will be donated to Kalamazoo Ringers.

Celebration
3-5 octaves of handbells, Level 1

Larry originally composed Celebration for a group of teens, but it has proven to be a great starter piece for any handbell choir.

A Celebration of Our Life
5 octaves of handbells and 3 octaves of handchimes, Level 4

A California couple commissioned A Celebration of Our Life for their 30th wedding anniversary, and had their church’s handbell choir premiere it when they renewed their vows. While this piece was written for a very special occasion, your ensemble will enjoy playing it because of the joy and challenge it displays!

Coronation and Triumphant Exultation
5-8 octaves of handbells

Coronation and Triumphant Exultation was commissioned by the Allured Composition Committee. It’s a major addition to the concert repertoire for advanced handbell choirs. This piece is dedicated to Maestro Carl Wiltse, and Carl conducted the premiere performance at the Bay View Week of Handbells. The first movement, Coronation, begins solemnly using the singing bell technique before the main melody enters with driving rhythms. The second movement, Triumphant Exultation, expresses the joy of a kingdom, through LV and a beautiful bass melody. Thumb damps, marts, and mallet work crescendo the rejoicing to the end for a memorable performance.

This title is published by A.G.E.H.R. Publishing, available from Lorenz.

Escape from No-Note Island
5-7 octaves of handbells, Level 5

Escape from No-Note Island is dedicated to those of you who feel marooned and forsaken when you’re sent to the topmost position. We hope you’ll feel better about being there when you play this work.

The Final Crossing
3-6 octaves of handbells and 2 octaves of chimes, Level 3-

This piece was written for the Siskiyou Summit Handbell Conference in Ashland, Oregon, and was also performed by the bronze choir at the HMA Area 8 Festival in 2018. This original composition includes a solo part for piccolo- or regular trumpet which is provided in the original spectacular (“unearthly”?) form as well as a simplified version which is more accessible. If you don’t have a trumpeter available, there is a concert key version that can be played on synthesizer.

Five
3-5 octaves of handbells, Level 2

Larry wrote this as a fifth anniversary gift to Carla, and the handbell choir at Third Reformed Church in Holland played it in worship, just a couple of days after our actual anniversary date.

Forever
5-8 octaves of handbells, Level 4+

This score is the piece that Dee Allaway and her family commissioned after winning a composition at the silent auction at Distinctly Bronze West 2012. It’s dedicated to the memory of Walter Dennis Oliver, her father.

Friskin’ the Whiskers
5-6 octaves of handbells and 2 octaves of handchimes, Level 5

Friskin’ the Whiskers is an original handbell composition for five or six octaves. The style is big band swing. RiverBells of Sacramento, CA commissioned this piece to celebrate twenty years of ringing!

Greet the Morning
3-5 octaves of handbells and 1 octave of handchimes, Level 3-

Perfect for Easter, or for any sacred or secular performance, this original composition opens with singing bells, and adds handchimes for a festive start to the day.

Happy
3-5 octaves of handbells, and handchimes F6-F7, Level 4

Larry rearranged this Low Ding Zone original composition for (a normal) handbell choir! With a light, bouncy melody and plenty of action everywhere else on the staff, your handbell choir will have a great time playing this piece.

Oh… please note that it’s not to be confused with the Pharrell Williams song from a few years back…

Home at Last
5-8 octaves of handbells, Level 4+

The fifty-fourth piece in the Living Water Composition Project, Home at Last is about the blessed hope that Christians have in the promise that Jesus Christ will one day return to take us to a new heaven and a new life. The original choral version is also available from Choraegus, and you can even combine the choral music with the handbell arrangement!

Mahler Swing
5-8 octaves of handbells and 2 octaves of handchimes, Level 5

What about melding Mahler and the Swing Era for handbells? The result is the Mahler Swing, which takes elements of the first movement of Mahler’s first symphony and makes them swing. The result is a piece that’s a marvelous earworm, and a fun challenge to play!

Meditation
2-3 or 3-5 octaves of handbells, Level 2

Here’s a meditative piece which you can play at any time when you need a thoughtful, contemplative atmosphere. Formerly named Lenten Piece, it’s suitable for sacred and secular performances.

Newness
3 or 5 octaves of handbells and 2 octaves of handchimes, Level 2

This original composition can be performed in either a sacred or secular setting. It’s arranged in 3 versions; Level 1, 2 or 3.

Nocturne
3 or 5 octaves of handbells and 3 octaves of handchimes, Level 2+

Nocturne is a thoughtfully introspective piece, suitable for times of reflection. As an original composition, it’s suitable for secular performances, as well as Lent and Holy Week, and memorial or remembrance services.

Turmoil is a standard of life for many. We have the varied components of our lives competing for our attention, often all at the same time, and so there are times when that competition puts us into mental paralysis. Getting nothing done can become an all-too-regular occurrence! This peace is an anchor for the soul, a comfort in stressful times, and promise of good for all eternity.

Procession and Celebration
5-7 octaves of handbells and 2 octaves of handchimes, Level 4

Shosh Meyer is a friend from Oregon who does marvelous things with the handbell program at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church (Beaverton, Oregon). She has a deep love for music, and handbells in particular. Erik, Julie, and Jan Tate were three of those blessed by Shosh, and so much that they commissioned this original piece in her honor.

Processional (TCCC 2014)
3-5 octaves of handbells, Level 3-

Larry wrote this processional especially for the 2014 Texas Conference Choir Clinic at the Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine, Texas. It’s easy to memorize, and can be an effective part of your worship service.

Rhapsody in Blue
5-8 octaves of handbells, plus 5 octaves of handchimes, 5 octaves, Level 6+

While none of the sections of this arrangement are of an AGEHR Level higher than 5, playing this arrangement in its entirety would be a tremendous challenge, so the overall work is rated Level 6+. It would be the experience of a lifetime to play this!

Rescue
3-7 octaves of handbells and 3 octaves of handchimes, Level 3

Sometimes we find ourselves in what we think is a hopeless situation. Well, we think it’s hopeless, because we don’t have an adequate answer to that problem. It’s at those times when rescue often arrives!

A Snail’s Pace
5-8 octaves of handbells and 5 octaves of handchimes, Level 5+

Written with a plush orange-pink-and-purple snail in mind, this original laid-back jazz piece will challenge you even as you relax into its feel! This piece was performed at the Bay View Week of Handbells.

Snow
3 octaves of handbells, Level 1+

This original composition is very relevant to Michigan winter weather!

Squirrels
3 or 5 octaves of handbells, Level 4

This original piece for handbell choir is titled for these little furry animals, but if you want to play it to give your congregation some joy, you’re more than welcome to create an alternate title, such as Rejoicing or Pure Joy.

Strollin’ in the Park
5 octaves of handbells, Level 3+

Larry wrote Strollin’ in the Park for Libbie Randels and her handbell choir. This was an unusual group because it consisted of about three dozen seniors. At the time, their average age was 73 – and they were active, happy, and musical. Getting older is most definitely not a barrier to good handbell ringing! So… here’s a composition about two people in love taking a romantic walk in a park. The sun is shining… and suddenly the rain and thunder arrive… and then the sun comes out again. Imagine the choreographic opportunities!

Tigress Rag
5-7 octaves of handbells, Level 5

Written in the style of Scott Joplin, Tigress Rag was the Second Place Winner of the 2011 Bells of the Sound “All That Jazz” composition contest. We also have a version for pianists!

Wait Five Minutes
For 3 octaves of handbells, Level 2+

We moved to Holland, Michigan in the summer of 2016. One of the quick lessons we were given with respect to living in the Midwest was the saying, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes”… or three minutes, or sometimes even one minute. Our neighbor across the street told me that there have been times when it’s been clear on his side and snowing on ours. We’ve had sunny skies, fog, gray overcast, rain, sleet, and snow — all in the same day! Indeed, “wait five minutes”.

So this original piece is about the wonders of weather in the middle of the continental USA – enjoy!

Walking Home
3-5 octaves of handbells and 2 octaves of handchimes, Level 3-

Walking Home, an original work for three to five octaves of handbells, brings to mind that feeling you have when the time to leave work or school has arrived. There’s a special feeling you get when you’re on your way home, and a melody in your head as you look forward to getting there!