Category Archives: Church Music

New 8-Bell Music from Choraegus – I Want Jesus to Walk With Me

Thanks to everyone who’s been playing our music during this time of social distancing. Our latest 8-bell arrangement is the hymn I Want Jesus to Walk With Me. We recorded our demo video in March, before Larry had his shoulder surgery… and wow, doesn’t it look cold outside those windows? Now that summer has arrived in Michigan, we’re used to seeing the trees much less bare-looking!

This African-American spiritual is a song of lament, but also an assurance that Jesus walks beside anyone who’s suffering. It’s often heard during Lent and Holy Week, but can be used year-round in worship services.

“I want Jesus to walk with me,
I want Jesus to walk with me,
All along my pilgrim journey,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

In my trial, Lord, walk with me,
In my trials, Lord, walk with me,
When the shades of life are falling,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

In my troubles, Lord walk with me,
In my troubles, Lord walk with me,
When my life becomes a burden,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.”

Would you like to play this piece?

This arrangement is straightforward to play, and could also be suitable for a handbell trio or quartet. The sheet music is available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus. Purchasing this arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group – so you only need to pay once – and to use this piece in online and live-streamed worship services. See our licensing agreement for full details. Please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites and social media.

Please note that our music is designed to be downloaded as PDFs, so you’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail.

If you haven’t purchased music online from Choraegus before, you might like to look at our step-by-step guide, designed to help you navigate the purchase and download process in a (we hope!) stress-free way.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about our music, please start by reading our Frequently-Asked Questions. If you don’t find the answers you need, please contact us, and we’ll do what we can to help!

I Want Jesus to Walk With Me - 8 handbells

New Accompanied 6-Bell Music – Canto de Esperanza / Song of Hope

Larry’s recovery from shoulder surgery is going well! He’s been seeing a physical therapist, and doing exercises throughout the day. It will still be a while before he can go back to playing our 8-bell duets, or picking up those heavy bass bells. In the meantine, he’s been enjoying the challenge of writing some music that only uses six bells. The sling is optional, of course.

Our latest 6-bell hymn arrangement is the popular traditional folk tune ARGENTINA. It’s the setting for the hymn Song of Hope, or Canto de Esperanza, with lyrics by Alvin Schutmaat. Suitable for any time of year, this lively piece will bring joy and hope to a worship service.

If you’d like to play Canto de Esperanza, the sheet music is available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus, our music site. An mp3 accompaniment track is also available to purchase separately.

Things to know about Choraegus handbell music

Our music is designed to be downloaded as PDFs. You’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail. Purchasing this arrangement allows you to print and maintain up to three copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score), and also gives permission for recording, broadcasting, live-streaming and sharing. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites and social media.

If you haven’t purchased music online from Choraegus before, you might like to look at our step-by-step guide, designed to help you navigate the purchase and download process in a (we hope!) stress-free way.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about our music, please start by reading our Frequently-Asked Questions. If you don’t find the answers you need, please contact us, and we’ll do what we can to help!

Canto de Esperanza - Song of Hope - for handbells

New Handbell Music – He Leadeth Me – for 8 Bells

We’ve had to take a break from playing our eight-bell music while Larry recovers from his recent shoulder surgery. We’ve actually been surprised at our much we’ve missed our rehearsals! Our latest eight-bell arrangement is the hymn He Leadeth Me. This hymn was written by Joseph Gilmore, based on the text of Psalm 23, with music by William Bradbury.

“He leadeth me: O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be,
still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.“

This hymn remains popular today, and is often sung at remembrance and memorial services, and on Good Shepherd Sunday.

Would you like to play this piece?

If you’d like to play this arrangement, the sheet music is available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus.

Our music is designed to be downloaded as PDFs. You’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail. Purchasing this arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group – so you only need to pay once. You can also use this piece in online and live-streamed worship services. See our licensing agreement for full details. Please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites and social media.

If you haven’t purchased music online from Choraegus before, you might like to look at our step-by-step guide, designed to help you navigate the purchase and download process in a (we hope!) stress-free way.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about our music, please start by reading our Frequently-Asked Questions. If you don’t find the answers you need, please contact us, and we’ll do what we can to help!

New 6-Bell Music – Holy Manna

As many of you already know, Larry is recovering from shoulder surgery. It’s going to be a while before he’s able to lift anything (including handbells) using his right arm. We couldn’t bear the thought of not being able to play duets together! In recent weeks, Larry’s been having fun arranging music for six bells with piano accompaniment. Our first 6-bell arrangement was the traditional Scottish Gaelic tune BUNESSAN… and now we’re pleased to bring you a new arrangement of Holy Manna – for six handbells, piano, and optional sling.

How to get the sheet music for Holy Manna

If you’d like to play this arrangement, the sheet music is available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus, our music site. An mp3 accompaniment track is also available to purchase separately.

Please note that our music is designed to be downloaded as PDFs. You’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail. Purchasing this arrangement allows you to print and maintain up to three copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score). Purchase also gives permission for recording, broadcasting, live-streaming and sharing. See our licensing agreement for full details. Please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites and social media.

If you haven’t purchased music online from Choraegus before, you might like to look at our step-by-step guide. We designed this to help you navigate the purchase and download process in a (we hope!) stress-free way.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about our music, please start by reading our Frequently-Asked Questions. If you don’t find the answers you need, please contact us, and we’ll do what we can to help!

Holy Manna - 6 handbells and piano accompaniment

Handbell Music for 16 Bells – Available from Choraegus

Handbell music for 16 bells can be a worthwhile thing to think about. During this time of social distancing, people have been finding creative ways to keep handbell music in worship services. Larry has been busy writing lots more handbell arrangements, including some that use as few as six bells.

Getting back to handbell rehearsals… cautiously

As people start to venture out more, and limited gatherings are allowed, we’re still conscious of the need to maintain physical distance. Handbell groups are still looking for ways to be able to get back to making music. However, they don’t want ringers to stand close together, or to share bells or equipment. For groups with more than two or three ringers who want to get together, 16-bell music could be be a useful addition to your handbell ensemble’s repertoire.

16-bell music can be played by a quartet, with each person playing four bells each, or by eight people with two bells each, or anything in between. If you have extra people, you can always add some handchimes or percussion! Our sixteen-bell arrangements have no bell changes, so they can be played with a socially-distanced group using music stands, without the need for tables or bell-sharing.

Here are a couple of examples of what’s available:

Well-Tempered Clavier, Prelude No.1 (16-bell version)
Sleeping Beauty Waltz (16 Bell Version)

There are also several hymn arrangements, including Come, Thou Almighty King and It Is Well With My Soul, as well as music suitable for Advent and Christmas.

How difficult is Choraegus 16-bell music?

Our 16-bell arrangements have plenty of challenges, to keep them interesting to play. If you’ve ever tried our 8-bell or 12-bell arrangements, you’ll know that having fewer bells doesn’t necessarily mean the music’s going to be simple! The bells used for each piece are shown on the score, and also on each relevant page on our music site, so you can make sure that you have the necessary bells before you make your purchase. Some arrangements are trickier than others, some are more straightforward – but none are boring!

handbell music for 16 bells, from Choraegus
Wonderful Grace of Jesus – 16-bell arrangement

More information about buying music from Choraegus

Our 16-bell titles are available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus, our music site. As always, we strongly recommend that you read the licensing agreement before buying music from us, especially if this is your first time downloading music from Choraegus.

Please also note that our music is designed to be downloaded as PDFs. You’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail. Purchasing a 16-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to eight copies for your handbell group. Purchase also gives permission for recording, broadcasting, live-streaming and sharing. See our licensing agreement for full details. Please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites and social media.

If you haven’t purchased music online from Choraegus before, you might like to look at our step-by-step guide, designed to help you navigate the purchase and download process in a (we hope!) stress-free way.

Any questions? Please ask!

If you have any questions about purchasing or playing our music, please start by reading our Frequently-Asked Questions. If you don’t find the answers you need, please contact us, and we’ll do what we can to help. We hope you’ll enjoy playing our 16-bell music!

Handbell Music for Just 6 Bells – a Whole New Adventure!

Larry’s recent shoulder surgery means that his right arm is going to be in a sling for a while. How can we continue playing handbell duets? The solution is obvious: with handbell music for just 6 bells!

Our first 6-bell arrangement is the traditional Scottish Gaelic tune BUNESSAN, first published in 1888 as the setting for Mary Macdonald’s Christmas carol Child in the Manger. It’s most often sung as Eleanor Farjeon’s popular hymn Morning Has Broken, and in recent years, the tune has also been used for Baptized in Water with lyrics by Michael Saward.

Of course, there’s no need to have one arm in a sling to be able to play this piece. The music could be played by three people with two bells each, by a duo with three bells each, or by one 4-in-hand ringer with a less-experienced duet partner. Maybe even by an intrepid 6-in-hand ringer? The arrangement has a flowing piano accompaniment, and sheet music for this is included with the handbell score.

Would you like to play this piece?

If you’d like to play this arrangement, the sheet music is available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus, our music site. An mp3 accompaniment track is also available to purchase separately.

Please note that our music is designed to be downloaded as PDFs. You’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail. Purchasing this arrangement allows you to print and maintain up to three copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score). Purchase also gives permission for recording, broadcasting, live-streaming and sharing. See our licensing agreement for full details. Please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites and social media.

If you haven’t purchased music online from Choraegus before, you might like to look at our step-by-step guide, designed to help you navigate the purchase and download process in a (we hope!) stress-free way.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about our music, please start by reading our Frequently-Asked Questions. If you don’t find the answers you need, please contact us, and we’ll do what we can to help!

handbell music for just 6 bells
Morning has broken – at Bay View, Michigan

Introducing our 5th Surprisingly-Easy 8-Bell Hymn Collection

Some of our most popular 8-bell titles are the Surprisingly-Easy hymn arrangements. We’re pleased to announce the arrival of our 5th Surprisingly-Easy 8-Bell Hymn Collection!

Surprisingly-Easy 8-Bell Hymn Arrangements from Choraegus

We refer to our Surprisingly-Easy arrangements as “All of the music, but without the twiddly bits” If you’re looking for some new handbell pieces to enhance your worship service, but you don’t want them to take too long to learn, this collection could be the answer. If you’re part of a duo, trio or quartet, or your handbell choir is unable to play together because of social distancing, these hymns could be what you’re looking for.

The hymns included in this fifth collection are:

  • Beach Spring
  • Children of the Heavenly Father
  • Faith of Our Fathers
  • I Vow to Thee, My Country
  • Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
  • Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
  • Sweet Hour of Prayer

If you’d like to play any of these arrangements, sheet music for the collection and each individual title is available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus, our music site.

More information about buying music online from Choraegus

As always, we strongly recommend that you read the licensing agreement before buying music from us, especially if this is your first time downloading music from Choraegus. Please also note that our music is designed to be downloaded as PDFs, so you’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail. Purchasing an eight-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group. For more information, we have a step-by-step guide to purchasing music from Choraegus. This music also comes with permission to broadcast and/or livestream and share online as part of a worship service.

There are more Surprisingly-Easy 8-Bell Collections available from Choraegus, as well as our standard eight-bell arrangements – some more challenging than others.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about buying or playing our music, please check our Frequently-Asked Questions first. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, please get in touch with us, and we’ll be happy to help.

5th Surprisingly Easy 8-Bell Hymn Collection
Also available from Choraegus – binder covers for our eight-bell music!

New Handbell Music – How Firm a Foundation

Our continued thanks to everyone who’s been playing our music. We appreciate you all so much! Our latest eight-bell arrangement is the hymn How Firm a Foundation. This hymn was published in 1787 and has remained popular through the centuries. The words remind us that no matter what we’re going through, God is with us, and we can rely on the solid foundation of His strength and support.

“Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”

If you’d like to play How Firm a Foundation, the sheet music is available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus, our music site.

Information about Choraegus handbell music

As always, we recommend that you read the licensing agreement before buying music from us, especially if this is your first time downloading music from Choraegus. Please also note that our music is designed to be downloaded as PDFs. You’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail. Purchasing this arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group, and to use this piece in online and live-streamed worship services.

If you haven’t purchased music online from Choraegus before, you might like to look at our step-by-step guide, designed to help you navigate the purchase and download process in a (we hope!) stress-free way.

Questions about our music?

If you have any questions about our music, please start by reading our Frequently-Asked Questions. If you don’t find the answers you need, please contact us, and we’ll do what we can to help!

How Firm a Foundation - 8-bell arrangement

New Handbell Music – I Stand Amazed – for 8 Bells

“I stand amazed in the presence
of Jesus the Nazarene,
and wonder how he could love me,
a sinner, condemned unclean.
How marvelous! How wonderful!
and my song shall ever be;
How marvelous! How wonderful!
is my Savior’s love to me!”

Thank you to everyone who’s been playing our 8-bell music during this time of social distancing. We’ve enjoyed seeing some of your videos! Here’s our most recent 8-bell arrangement – the hymn I Stand Amazed. This one was a fun and not-too-difficult sight-read; you could slow it down a little if you chose to, and it would still work.

Would you like to play I Stand Amazed?

If you’d like to play this arrangement, the sheet music is available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus, our music site.

As always, we recommend that you read the licensing agreement before buying music from us, especially if this is your first time downloading music from Choraegus. Please also note that our music is designed to be downloaded as PDFs, so you’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail. Purchasing this arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group.

If you haven’t purchased music online from Choraegus before, you might like to look at our step-by-step guide. We designed this guide to help you navigate the purchase and download process in a (we hope!) stress-free way.

Ask us questions if you need to!

If you have any questions about our music, please start by reading our Frequently-Asked Questions. If you don’t find the answers you need, please contact us, and we’ll be happy to help!

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross – for 8 Bells

Continued thanks to everyone who’s been playing our music in these recent weeks of social distancing. We’ve enjoyed seeing some of your videos!

These are challenging times for church musicians!

This Holy Week and Easter are challenging in many ways for church musicians. Handbell choirs can’t get together to practise or play the pieces they prepared. Churches are closing their buildings, and holding virtual services. Yet people gather faithfully online, in the knowledge that the church is not the building but the believers. Handbell musicians are still finding ways to participate in services, albeit in smaller groups than before. We’ve loved attending “Zoom Church” here in Holland in the last few weeks! Larry has also been a “socially-distant cantor”, recording hymns for each of the services, and we’ve even managed to sneak bells into a couple of the recorded hymns for Easter Sunday

Last night, someone asked us if we had an arrangement of When I Survey the Wondrous Cross?” The answer was, “Hmm. I don’t think so”. A couple of hours later a new arrangement had appeared, and we were (while still at least partially awake) making a demo recording to share. This is obviously more of a sight-read than a polished performance, but you’ll get the idea.

If you’d like to play When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, the sheet music is available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus, our music site.

Buying downloadable handbell music from Choraegus

As always, we recommend that you read the licensing agreement before buying music from us, especially if this is your first time downloading music from Choraegus. Please also note that our music is designed to be downloaded as PDFs. You’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail. Purchasing this arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group. Purchase also gives permission for you to perform and broadcast this piece as part of your worship service.

If you’re interested in other 8-bell music suitable for Lent, Easter and Holy Week, we have a list of other hymn suggestions, and most of these pieces are also available on Choraegus.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about our music, please start by reading our Frequently-Asked Questions. If you don’t find the answers you need, please contact us, and we’ll be happy to help!

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - handbells