June 2, 2022

This is My Father’s World – for Handbells, 3 or 5 Octaves

“This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas– His hand the wonders wrought.“

This is My Father’s World is a hymn with lyrics written by Maltbie Davenport Babcock, first published as a poem in 1901. Franklin L. Sheppard set the poem to his TERRA BEATA tune in 1915. Here’s our arrangement for 3 or 5 octaves of handbells:

More information about This is My Father’s World

This is My Father’s World is for 3 or 5 octaves of handbells, with an optional two octaves of handchimes, Level 3-. Sheet music for this arrangement is available to purchase and download from Choraegus. You can either purchase an individual copy (useful for massed ringing events, or for preview), or purchase the full choir license. Purchase of the full choir license gives you our no-fuss permission to print up to 15 copies for your group.

Your purchase of the full-choir license also grants permission for you to perform, broadcast and live-stream this piece as part of a concert or worship service without the need for any additional license or fee, although we ask you to credit the arranger (Larry Sue) and publisher (Choraegus) in any printed media such as concert programs, and online (in video descriptions). See our licensing agreement for full details.

We appreciate your help in spreading the word about Choraegus handbell music. If you record a video of your group playing any of our pieces, we’d love to see it. You’re welcome to share it with us by email or on our Facebook page!

Choraegus handbell music is designed to come to you as a PDF file, which you’ll need to download. 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, we recommend 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.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about our music, please start by reading our Frequently-Asked Questions. If someone has asked us a question even once, it will be there, along with the answer. Please contact us if you don’t find the information you need, and we’ll be happy to help.

May 26, 2022

Crown Him with Many Crowns – for Handbells, 3-5 octaves

“Crown him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon his throne;
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
All music but its own:
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless king
Through all eternity.“

Crown Him With Many Crowns is the latest handbell arrangement from Choraegus. The lyrics were written in 1851, and set to the tune DIADEMATA by George Elvey. The hymn is popular for Easter and general worship.

More information about Crown Him with Many Crowns

Crown Him with Many Crowns is for 3-5 octaves of handbells, Level 2+. There’s a little “challenge section” at the beginning and at the end, and the rest of the piece is quite straightforward. Sheet music for this arrangement is available to purchase and download from Choraegus. You can either purchase an individual copy (useful for massed ringing events, or for preview), or purchase the full choir license. Purchase of the full choir license gives you our no-fuss permission to print up to 15 copies for your group.

Your purchase of the full-choir license also gives permission for you to perform, broadcast and live-stream this piece as part of a concert or worship service without the need for any additional license or fee, although we ask you to credit the composer (Larry Sue) and publisher (Choraegus) in any printed media such as concert programs, and online (in video descriptions). See our licensing agreement for full details. We appreciate your help in spreading the word about Choraegus handbell music. If you record a video of your group playing any of our pieces, we’d love to see it. You’re welcome to share it with us by email or on our Facebook page!

Choraegus handbell music is designed to come to you as a PDF file, which you’ll need to download. You’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail.

Any questions?

May 9, 2022

‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime – for Handbells, 3 or 5 Octaves

“‘Twas in the moon of wintertime
When all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchi Manitou
Sent angel choirs instead
Before their light the stars grew dim
And wond’ring hunters heard the hymn:

Jesus, your King, is born;
Jesus is born!
In excelsis gloria!”

‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime, also known as the Huron Carol, is thought to be Canada’s oldest Christmas Carol. It was written in around 1642 by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary in Canada. The tune is based on a traditional French song.

More information about ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime

‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime is for 3 or 5 octaves of handbells, with optional handchimes. It’s an exciting arrangement with a touch of mystery! There’s lots of activity for the bass bells, and the handchimes add a shimmer of magic.

Sheet music for this arrangement is available to purchase and download from Choraegus. You can either purchase an individual copy (useful for massed ringing events, or for preview), or purchase the full choir license. Purchase of the full choir license gives you our no-fuss permission to print up to 15 copies for your group.

More information about Choraegus handbell music

Choraegus handbell music is designed to come to you as a PDF file, which you’ll need to download. You’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail.

Any questions?

Twas in the Moon of Wintertime Huron Handbells

May 5, 2022

Of the Father’s Love Begotten – for Handbells, 3 or 5 Octaves

“Of the Father’s love begotten,
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore!”

Of the Father’s Love Begotten is a hymn based on the Latin poem Corde Natus. It’s set to the medieval plainchant melody Divinum mysterium, which first appeared in print in 1582. Our arrangement was created for the 2021 Kalamazoo Ringers online Christmas concert On a Winter’s Night and we had fun playing it with just the two of us!

More information about Of the Father’s Love Begotten

Of the Father’s Love Begotten is a Level 3+ arrangement for 3 or 5 octaves of handbells, with optional handchimes. There’s also a cajón part, available to purchase separately. We used Silver Melody Bells at the beginning, but you could play the introduction on handbells or handchimes, depending on what’s available.

More information about Choraegus handbell music

Choraegus handbell music is designed to come to you as a PDF file, which you’ll need to download. You’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail.

Any questions?

April 20, 2022

His Eye is on the Sparrow – for Handbells, 3 or 5 Octaves

His Eye is on the Sparrow is a new handbell arrangement from Choraegus. This popular hymn was written by Civilla D. Martin in 1905, with the SPARROW tune composed by Charles H. Gabriel.

More information about His Eye is on the Sparrow

His Eye is on the Sparrow is for 3 or 5 octaves of handbells, Level 3+. Sheet music for this arrangement is available to purchase and download from Choraegus. You can either purchase an individual copy (useful for massed ringing events, or for preview), or purchase the full choir license. Purchase of the full choir license gives you our no-fuss permission to print up to 15 copies for your group.

Choraegus handbell music is designed to come to you as a PDF file, which you’ll need to download. You’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail.

Any questions?

April 18, 2022

Home at Last – an Original Composition for Handbells

Home at Last is an original composition with a history! It started life several decades ago as a song for SATB choir; part of Larry’s Living Water Composition Project. You can read more about that project on our Choraegus website, and find the choral scores for all the songs. Home at Last is the 54th composition in that project – and it works really well as a handbell piece too!

Here’s our demonstration video, with thanks to Kalamazoo Ringers for letting us borrow their B2 bass handbell. Keep watching, and you’ll see it!

More information about Home at Last

Home at Last is for 5-8 octaves of handbells, Level 4+. Probably the biggest challenges in the piece are the fast glissando-style runs, but they’re not actually as difficult as they look on paper (as long as you don’t over-think them). Advanced handbell choirs will enjoy this piece!

Sheet music for this original composition is available to purchase and download from Choraegus. You can either purchase an individual copy (useful for massed ringing events, or for preview), or purchase the full choir license. Purchase of the full choir license gives you our no-fuss permission to print up to 15 copies for your group.

Choraegus handbell music is designed to come to you as a PDF file, which you’ll need to download. You’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail.

Any questions?

Home at Last original handbell composition

April 7, 2022

I Surrender All – for 16 Handbells

I Surrender All is a hymn written by Judson W. Van DeVenter, with music by Winfield S. Weeden. It was first published in 1896 in a hymn collection called Gospel Songs of Grace and Glory.

“All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.”

Here’s our 16-bell arrangement, recorded when the snow was still on the ground, here in Michigan:

More information about I Surrender All

This hymn arrangement is available in two handbell ranges – G4-Eb6 and C5-Ab6. We demonstrate it as a 4-in-hand piece, but it’s suitable for up to 8 ringers. There are no bell changes, and no techniques that require tables or foam pads.

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

More about Choraegus handbell music

Purchasing this arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to eight copies for your handbell group. – so don’t pay for more copies than you need! Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details. Please be sure to mention the arranger of the piece (Larry Sue) and the publisher (Choraegus) on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs. We appreciate your help in getting the word out about Choraegus, and we’d love to see a video if you record one with your ensemble!

Please note that our sheet 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.

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. You’ll find just about every question anyone has ever asked us, along with answers! However, if you don’t find the information you need, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help!

March 31, 2022

He Leadeth Me – for Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves

We recently enjoyed putting together a video of Larry’s arrangement of He Leadeth Me. Fans of bass malleting will appreciate this one! It’s a useful year-round hymn arrangement, and would be particularly appropriate for a Good Shepherd Sunday worship service.

More information about He Leadeth Me

He Leadeth Me is for 3 or 5 octaves of handbells, Level 3. It’s fairly straightforward to play, and a strong bass/low battery team will appreciate the challenge of some malleted running lines. Sheet music for this arrangement is available to purchase and download from Choraegus. You can either purchase an individual copy (useful for massed ringing events, or for preview), or purchase the full choir license. Purchase of the full choir license gives you our no-fuss permission to print up to 15 copies for your group.

Choraegus handbell music is designed to come to you as a PDF file, which you’ll need to download. You’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail.

Any questions?

March 28, 2022

Go to Dark Gethsemane – for 6 Handbells and Piano

“Go to dark Gethsemane,
ye that feel the tempter’s power;
Your Redeemer’s conflict see,
watch with Him one bitter hour,
Turn not from His griefs away;
Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.”

Go to Dark Gethsemane is a hymn for Lent and Holy Week, telling the story of the events in the Garden of Gethsemane, the days leading up to the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. The text was written by James Montgomery and first published in the 1820 Selection of Psalms and Hymns. The tune is REDHEAD No. 76, by English organist and composer Richard Redhead.

Our arrangement of Go to Dark Gethsemane uses just six handbells, with piano accompaniment. Again, no need to worry about Larry’s arm being in a sling; he just put it on for the video. After he had his shoulder surgery a couple of years ago, we started playing 6-bell music out of necessity, and we divided the bells between us accordingly. Now that Larry’s shoulder is working properly again, we could obviously take three bells each – but have you ever tried taking a bell away from a 4-in-hand treble ringer? Let’s not go there. Here’s our demo video:

This arrangement is suitable for 2-3 ringers. There are no techniques that need tables or foam, and no bell-sharing between ringers – so if you’re still observing social distancing, this piece could work well. Sheet music is available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus. We also have an mp3 piano accompaniment track available to purchase separately. This can be useful if you don’t have an accompanist, or for rehearsing at home.

Other accompanied handbell pieces for Holy Week and Easter

We have several other arrangements for small handbell groups and piano accompaniment:

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross – a 6-bell arrangement of one of the most profound hymns of all time, for Holy Week, and particularly for Good Friday.

Now the Green Blade Riseth – this dual-purpose (Christmas and Easter) arrangement of the NOEL NOUVELET tune is yet more proof that 6-bell music need never be boring. Fans of 7/8 will enjoy this one! For 6 handbells with piano accompaniment.

Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise – a joyous arrangement of the LLANFAIR tune, for 6 handbells and piano accompaniment.

Lift High the Cross – a triumphant hymn of celebration for Easter, for 8 handbells and piano accompaniment.

The Strife is O’er – a 6-bell arrangement of the VICTORY tune. Alleluia!

You’ll find lots more music for Lent, Holy Week and spring on the Choraegus site, so please feel welcome to browse. If you have questions about any of the pieces in particular, please ask us.

More information about our music

Our music scores are 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 the 6-bell arrangement of Go to Dark Gethsemane allows you to print and maintain up to three copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score).

Your purchase also gives permission for recording, broadcasting, live-streaming and sharing on video-sharing sites, church websites and social media. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the arranger of the piece (Larry Sue) and the publisher (Choraegus) on video-sharing sites and social media, and in any printed materials such as church service bulletins. We appreciate your help in getting the word out about Choraegus handbell music!

If you haven’t bought music from our site 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. We also have some free music available for download – so if you want to test the score-downloading process without spending any money, that’s a good place to start.

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!

March 27, 2022

Handbell Music for Palm Sunday

We’re often asked about handbell music for Palm Sunday, and to be honest, we don’t have a lot, so it’s clearly something we need to work on. Here are the Choraegus titles that come to mind, although you’re welcome to look through the website, and you might find something we missed!

All Glory, Laud and Honor (ST. THEODULPH)

We have two arrangements of this popular Palm Sunday hymn: An 8-bell version – for handbells with piano accompaniment:

An unaccompanied 12-bell arrangement:

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (CORONATION)

We have two 8-bell arrangements of the CORONATION hymn tune – a standard version and a “surprisingly easy” version.

Celebration

Setting the mood for a Palm Sunday celebration, this original composition for 3-5 octaves is a Level 1 piece, making it easy to learn, and suitable for beginning or improving handbell choirs. This one is a popular handbell prelude piece!

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (ES FLOG EIN KLEINS WALDVÖGELEIN)

This is another joyous Palm Sunday hymn, available as an unaccompanied 8-bell arrangement.

Hark, the Glad Sound!

Suitable for Palm Sunday or Advent, this 12-bell hymn arrangement is a joy to play. The hymn tune is CHESTERFIELD.

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

The ELLACOMBE tune is used for this hymn, also known as I Sing the Mighty Power of God. We have two unaccompanied 8-bell arrangements.

We also have a lively arrangement for 3-5 octaves!

Tell me the Stories of Jesus

This one didn’t come to mind immediately… but sure enough, the Palm Sunday words are in there!

“Into the city I’d follow
The children’s band,
Waving a branch of the palm tree
High in my hand;
One of his heralds,
Yes, I would sing
Loudest hosannas,
“Jesus is King!'”

Our 16-bell arrangement of this hymn is suitable for up to 4-8 ringers to play for a Palm Sunday service.