Tag Archives: 2021

Praise God, Ye Servants of the Lord – Handbells and Piano

Praise God, Ye Servants of the Lord (hymn tune ANDRE) is a 19th century hymn written by William B. Bradbury. The tune is also used for the hymns When Israel Fled from Egypt Land and Heavenly Home. It’s an upbeat, quirky little tune, and here’s our arrangement for 8 handbells with piano accompaniment:

We demonstrate this piece as a 4-in-hand duet, but it’s suitable for 2-4 ringers to play, and quite straightforward. It could be a useful addition to your handbell choir’s summer repertoire, for those times when the full group isn’t available to get together!

Would you like to play this arrangement?

If you’d like to play Praise God, Ye Servants of the Lord, 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. This can be useful if you don’t have an accompanist, or you need to rehearse alone.

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 an 8-bell arrangement allows you to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score). Purchase also gives permission for recording, broadcasting, live-streaming and sharing on video-sharing sites and social media. 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, and in any printed materials such as church service bulletins.

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. Please contact us if you don’t find the answers you need, and we’ll be happy to help!

Praise God Ye Servants of the Lord

O Zion, Haste – Handbells and Piano Accompaniment

O Zion, Haste is our latest 8-bell hymn arrangement, for handbells and piano. The tune, TIDINGS, was written by English composer James Walch in 1876. The words to the hymn were written by Mary A. Thomson:

“O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling,
To tell to all the world that God is light.
That he who made all nations is not willing
One soul should perish, lost in shades of night.
Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace;
Tidings of Jesus, redemption and release.“

Here’s our arrangement for 8 handbells with piano accompaniment:

More information about O Zion, Haste

O Zion, Haste is for 8 handbells between G5 and G6. We demonstrate this arrangement as a 4-in-hand duet, but it’s suitable for 2-4 ringers to play. There’s no bell-sharing, and no need for tables or foam, which makes it suitable for a socially-distant ensemble if necessary.

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. This can be useful to use as a backing track if you need to rehearse or perform without an accompanist.

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 an 8-bell arrangement allows you to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score). Purchase also gives permission for recording, broadcasting, live-streaming and sharing on video-sharing sites and social media. 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, and in any printed materials such as church service bulletins.

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. Please contact us if you don’t find the answers you need, and we’ll be happy to help!

O Zion Haste handbells

In the Sweet By and By – Handbells and Piano

In the Sweet By and By is a beautiful hymn, written in 1868 by S. Fillmore Bennett, with music by Joseph P. Webster. In recent years it has been recorded by many popular artists, including Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong and Dolly Parton.

“There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar,
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.

In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.“

Here’s our arrangement for 8 handbells with piano accompaniment:

This piece involves no bell changes, no picking-up of accidentals mid-piece, and no shared bells. It can easily be played without a table or foam. 8-bell music can be very useful during the summer months, when full handbell choirs can’t always get together. We demonstrate this piece as a 4-in-hand duet, but it’s suitable for 2-4 ringers to play.

Would you like to play this arrangement?

If you’d like to play In the Sweet By and By, 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. This can be useful if you don’t have an accompanist, or you need to rehearse alone.

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 an 8-bell arrangement allows you to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score). Purchase also gives permission for recording, broadcasting, live-streaming and sharing on video-sharing sites and social media. 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, and in any printed materials such as church service bulletins.

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. Please contact us if you don’t find the answers you need, and we’ll be happy to help!

Sweet By and By handbells

He Leadeth Me – 12-Bell Music from Choraegus

He Leadeth Me is a hymn composed in 1862 by William Bradbury, with lyrics by Joseph H. Gilmore. The hymn was inspired by the words of Psalm 23. Here it is, arranged for 12 handbells:

12-bell music can be a great summer project!

We often hear from handbell directors and musicians about continuing to rehearse and play during the summer months, when the full group isn’t always available. 12-bell music can be useful for these occasions. Choraegus 12-bell music is designed to be interesting to play, with some level of challenge. Small-group music doesn’t have to be boring! We demonstrate this piece using 4-in-hand, because there are only two of us, but the arrangement is suitable for 3-6 ringers, with no special techniques required. It would sound pretty on handchimes too!

Two versions are available – either using bells C5-G6 (as in our demo video), or using F5-C7.

Would you like to play He Leadeth Me?

If you’d like to play He Leadeth Me (12-bell version), the sheet music is available to purchase and download from Choraegus.

When you buy Choraegus handbell music, please note that it’s designed to be downloaded as a PDF file. That means 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 six copies for your handbell group – so don’t pay for more copies than you need!

Your purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details. Please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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.

Other versions of this hymn are available

If you don’t have a large enough ensemble to play He Leadeth Me – 12-bell version, we also have an 8-bell arrangement of this hymn, suitable for 2-4 ringers. Alternatively, if you have an entire handbell choir, you might enjoy our 3- or 5-octave arrangement, also available to download from Choraegus.

Any questions?

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

He Leadeth Me 12-bell

Sunrise – a Hymn Tune for 3 or 5 Octave Handbells

The hymn tune SUNRISE was first published in the 1768 Supplementum to the Luxembourg Kyriale. In more recent times, it has been used as the tune for William Bright’s hymn At Thy Feet, O Christ We Lay. In 1978, John Richards also used it for his hymn Spirit, Working in Creation. Here’s our arrangement for 3 or 5 octaves of handbells, also referred to in our house as “that peck-peck tune”, because of the treble thumb-damps!

More information about Sunrise (Kyriale)

SUNRISE is arranged for 3 or 5 octaves of handbells, with 2 octaves of (optional) handchimes. It’s a Level 2+ arrangement. If you’d like to play this piece, the sheet music is available to download from Choraegus.

Things to know about Choraegus handbell music

When you buy handbell music from Choraegus, the music score will come to you as a PDF file. That means you’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail. When you’ve downloaded your music, your one-time payment (for the full-choir copy) entitles you to print up to 15 copies for your group. Please read our licensing agreement for full information about this. If you’re new to buying music from Choraegus, we recommend our step-by-step guide. We designed this to take you through the process in a (we hope) stress-free way!

Purchasing this arrangement gives you no-fuss permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and online video-sharing. Please take some time to read about what you’re allowed to do with Choraegus handbell music. In these times of live-streaming and online worship services, it’s particularly important that we all understand and follow the laws concerning performance licensing and copyright.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about buying or playing Choraegus handbell music, please look at our Frequently-Asked Questions. If you don’t find the information you’re looking for, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Sunrise hymn tune

Handbells at the Holland Kerstmarkt

December 10 at 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm EST

We’re looking forward to playing handbells at the Holland Kerstmarkt again in 2021!

Handbell duo Larry and Carla will again be playing traditional Christmas handbell music at the Kerstmarkt. This is an annual open-air European-style Christmas market located at the 8th Street Marketplace in Downtown Holland. Come and listen to beautiful festive music as you shop for unique, handcrafted gifts and locally-made holiday treats. Coffee and hot cider will be available to help you stay warm!

We’ve been fortunate that the weather has been kind to us every time we’ve played at this annual event. Thankfully, we haven’t had to cope with the kind of extreme cold that would make what we do impossible. Handbells generally don’t appreciate cold temperatures. We notice the change in the sound of the bells when we play outdoors in winter, but the worst of the weather generally seems to wait until after Christmas! Most of the Kerstmarkt is under cover, so you can shop for gifts comfortably there. The market is located in Downtown Holland, so there are plenty of shops and restaurants close by. Here’s a video of one of our performances from the 2018 Kerstmarkt:

We played handbells at the Holland Kerstmarkt in 2020, and the masks proved surprisingly good at keeping our faces warm!

handbells at the Holland Kerstmarkt

The market is at its most festive after dark. We hope to see you there in 2021!

Handbells at the Holland Kerstmarkt

Kerstmarkt – Holland

150 W 8th St
Holland, MI 49423 United States + Google Map
Free The event is free to attend, but tips for the musicians are always appreciated!

Handbells at the Kerstmarkt – Holland

November 26 at 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm EST

We’re looking forward to playing handbells at the Kerstmarkt again in 2021!

Handbell duo Larry and Carla will be playing traditional Christmas handbell music at the Kerstmarkt – an open-air European-style Christmas market located at the 8th Street Marketplace in Downtown Holland. Come and listen to beautiful festive music as you shop for unique, handcrafted gifts and locally-made holiday treats. Coffee and hot cider will be available to help you stay warm!

We’ve been fortunate that the weather has been kind to us every time we’ve played at this annual event. Thankfully, we haven’t had to cope with the kind of extreme cold that would make what we do impossible. Handbells generally don’t appreciate cold temperatures. We notice the change in the sound of the bells when we play outdoors in winter, but the worst of the weather generally seems to wait until after Christmas! Most of the Kerstmarkt is under cover, so you can shop for gifts comfortably there. The market is located in Downtown Holland, so there are plenty of shops and restaurants close by. Here’s a video of one of our performances from the 2017 Kerstmarkt:

We played handbells at the Kerstmarkt in 2020, and the masks proved surprisingly good at keeping our faces warm!

The market is at its most festive after dark. We hope to see you there in 2021!

Free The event is free to attend, but tips for the musicians are always appreciated!
Handbells at the Kerstmarkt

Kerstmarkt – Holland

150 W 8th St
Holland, MI 49423 United States + Google Map

Battle Hymn of the Republic – Patriotic Handbell Music

People often ask us for more patriotic music,so we’re working on it! Here’s our 12-bell arrangement of Battle Hymn of the Republic, also known (especially outside the U.S.A.) as Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory. This one is a real audience-pleaser, and Fourth of July celebrations are only a month away!

Available in two different handbell ranges

As with all Choraegus 12-bell arrangements, this piece has no bell-sharing, and there are no accidentals to pick up mid-piece. The music is available for C5-G6, or F5-C7, so you can choose which range will work for your ensemble. A practice track is also available for purchase; useful if you need to rehearse without the whole group. As there are no techniques requiring tables or foam, this arrangement can be played from music stands. In recent months, many handbell choirs have been observing social distancing, and 12-bell music can work well for this. It can also be great for handbell choirs during the summer months when the full group isn’t available.

Where to purchase the sheet music

If you’d like to play Battle Hymn of the Republic, the sheet music is available to purchase and download from Choraegus.

When you buy Choraegus handbell music, please note that it’s designed to be downloaded as a PDF file. That means 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 six copies for your handbell group – so don’t pay for more copies than you need!

Your purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details. Please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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. Please contact us if you don’t find the answers you need, and we’ll be happy to help!

Battle Hymn of the Republic handbells

All Glory, Laud and Honor – 12-Bell Music from Choraegus

All Glory, Laud and Honor is our newest 12-bell arrangement. It’s a traditional Palm Sunday hymn, so we’re a little late for this year. Looking on the bright side, though, there’s plenty of rehearsal time before Palm Sunday 2022! It can also be a useful hymn for general use, especially when a lively tune is needed.

No need for tables or foam!

As with all Choraegus 12-bell arrangements, this piece has no bell-sharing, and there are no accidentals to pick up mid-piece. As there are no techniques requiring tables or foam, this arrangement can be played from music stands. In recent months, many handbell choirs have been observing social distancing, and 12-bell music can work well for this. It can also be great for handbell choirs during the summer months when the full group isn’t available.

The music is suitable for 3-6 ringers, and two versions are available – either using bells C5-G6 (as in our demo video), or using F5-C7.

Where to get the sheet music

If you’d like to play All Glory, Laud and Honor, the sheet music is available to purchase and download from Choraegus.

When you buy Choraegus handbell music, please note that it’s designed to be downloaded as a PDF file. That means 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 six copies for your handbell group – so don’t pay for more copies than you need!

Your purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details. Please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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. Please contact us if you don’t find the answers you need, and we’ll be happy to help!

Procession and Celebration – for Handbells, 5-7 Octaves

Procession and Celebration is an original composition, commissioned by the Tate family in honor of Shosh Meyer, handbell director at St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Beaverton, Oregon. Shosh has been a friend of ours for some years, and played handbells at our wedding in 2012!

Larry and Carla wedding, Shosh

We decided it was time for another 5-octave recording project…. and this one was a fun challenge for us! As with all these “put together in iMovie” videos, we didn’t rehearse this piece beforehand. We didn’t feel entirely confident about playing the whole piece from start to finish, so we started with Procession. We recorded all the parts for that, and then played Celebration. You’ll see the join in the middle of the video. This piece is the most challenging one we’ve attempted with five octaves (so far), and it felt like a daunting task before we started. But we were pleased with how it turned out, and we were surprised how much we enjoyed playing it, particularly those fast runs in Celebration!

It’s always interesting how every square of video is a different color; we think of it as “50 Shades of Our Basement”. The whole piece was recorded in just a few hours, and it’s fun to see how the light changes in a relatively short space of time! Once again, Carla enjoyed the opportunity to play those bass bells. A highlight was when we got the lowest part recorded correctly on the first attempt!

Procession and Celebration - bass handbells

More information about the music

Procession and Celebration is for 5-7 octaves of handbells, with optional 2-octave handchimes. If you don’t have the chimes, you could play those notes with bells instead. It’s a Level 5 arrangement; fun for an advanced-level handbell choir, but also an interesting and achievable challenge for an aspiring-to-bronze choir. If you’d like to play this original composition, the sheet music is available to download from Choraegus.

Important information about Choraegus handbell music

When you buy Choraegus handbell music, please note that it will come to you as a PDF file. That means you’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail. When you’ve downloaded your music, your one-time payment (for the choir version of the score) entitles you to print out up to 15 copies for your group. Individual copies are also available, for massed ringing events, or as preview copies. If you buy a preview copy, you’ll need to purchase the choir version for your ensemble to play it. Please read our licensing agreement for full information. If you’re new to buying music from Choraegus, we recommend our step-by-step guide!

Your purchase of this piece comes with our no-fuss permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and online video-sharing. You won’t need to apply for a performance licence when you’re ready to add it to your concert repertoire!

Any questions?

If you have any questions about buying or playing our music, please look at the Frequently-Asked Questions first. If you don’t find the information you seek, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.