Otsego Hometown Christmas 2024 will take place on December 7th. Holland-based handbell duo Larry and Carla will once again be there to play Christmas carols to celebrate the season!
This annual community event will be fun for all the family! There will be carolers, a live Nativity, a parade, and an opportunity for children to make Christmas ornaments. You can take a hayride along the riverfront, enjoy hot cocoa and cider, and lots more. Santa will be there too! The evening will feature a tree-lighting, and there will be lots of entertainment throughout the day.
Larry and Carla’s handbell performance is sponsored by Otsego District Library.
Would you like to book a handbell group for your event?
Larry and Carla are available to play handbell duets for weddings, worship services, concerts, holiday events, and corporate and private events. If you’re looking to hire a handbell choir for your event in Michigan or beyond, please get in touch! A handbell duo takes up less room than a standard handbell choir, making Larry and Carla particularly suitable for smaller venues. Tell us what kind of event you’re planning, and what type of music you’re looking for.
Come and see us at Otsego Hometown Christmas 2024, and listen to the sound of Christmas bells at this special time of year!
We’re excited to add five new 2-octave Christmas titles to the Choraegus catalogue!
Still, Still, Still is the first of our new arrangements. This Austrian lullaby was first published in 1865. It describes the baby Jesus sleeping in his mother’s arms. We used handchimes for our demonstration video, because we love the gentle sound, but it’s written for handbells, so if you don’t have chimes, you can play it using bells instead. This arrangement is Level 2.
Sussex Carolis a traditional English carol, also known as On Christmas Night All Christians Sing. This Level 3 arrangement is fun to play, and includes thumb-damping and mallets!
In the United States, we usually sing O Little Town of Bethlehem the ST. LOUIS tune. However, in the United Kingdom and other countries, the FOREST GREEN tune is used. Our arrangement uses the FOREST GREEN tune, and is Level 2+. Many other hymns now use the same tune, so this is a versatile carol that you could also play at other times in the church year.
In the Bleak Midwinter is one if the most well-loved Christmas carols. If you have handbells and handchimes, you might enjoy this new arrangement. It’s the CRANHAM tune, written by Gustav Holst, and our arrangement is Level 2. If you don’t have handchimes, you can play the whole piece with just bells, of course.
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day is our final 2-octave Christmas carol for 2024 (so far). This is another English carol, and it dates from as early as the 16th century! This new 2-octave arrangement is a lively Level 3-.
More information about this 2-octave handbell music for Christmas
Sheet music for these new 2-octave Christmas arrangements 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 allows you to perform, broadcast and live-stream the piece as part of a concert or worship service. There’s no need for any additional license or fee. We ask that youcredit the arranger (Larry Sue) and publisher (Choraegus) in any printed media such as concert programs, and online (in video descriptions). Please 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!
Please note that Choraegus handbell music is designed to come to you as a downloadable PDF file. 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.
Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow is a popular spiritual for Advent and Christmas.
“There’s a star in the East on Christmas morn; Rise up, shepherd, and follow; It will lead to the place where the Christ was born; Rise up, shepherd, and follow.”
This arrangement of Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow was written by Larry Sue for the Praise Ringers of Portage United Church of Christ. It has interesting rhythms, bass mallets, stopped sounds and shakes, all contributing to an arrangement that’s fun to play and hear!
More information about Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow
Our arrangement of Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow is for 3 or 5 octaves of handbells. It’s a Level 3 arrangement, and the score 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. Please note that Choraegus handbell music is designed to come to you as a downloadable PDF file. 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.
Your purchase of the full-choir license allows you to perform, broadcast and live-stream this piece as part of a concert or worship service. There’s no need for any additional license or fee. We askthat youcredit the composer (Larry Sue) and publisher (Choraegus) in any printed media such as concert programs, and online (in video descriptions). Please 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!
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.
Hark, the Glad Sound is the latest 12-bell arrangement from Choraegus. The CHESTERFIELD hymn tune is suitable for Advent or Palm Sunday.
“Hark, the glad sound! The Savior comes, The Savior promised long! Let every heart prepare a throne, And every voice a song.“
More information about Hark, the Glad Sound!
As with all Choraegus 12-bell pieces, Hark, the Glad Sound! is suitable for 3-6 ringers. Sheet music is available to purchase and download from Choraegus. Each arrangement is available for three different ranges of handbells, so you can choose which you prefer. Refer to the bells-used charts on the Choraegus webpage to make sure you have all the bells you need, and make sure you purchase the right version!
Things to know about Choraegus handbell music
Choraegus handbell music scores are designed to be downloaded as PDF files. That means you’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail. Purchasing a 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six copies for your handbell group – so please don’t pay for more copies than you need! A practice track is also available separately – useful if your ringers need to practise their parts without the full group being available.
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 arranger (Larry Sue) and the publisher of the piece(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 handbell music – and if you make a video of your handbell choir playing any of our pieces, we’d love to see it!
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!
Nocturne is an original Larry Sue composition, for 3 or 5 octaves of handbells and 3 octaves of handchimes. It’s an accessible Level 2+ piece with a thoughtful, introspective mood. It’s suitable for secular or sacred settings.
More information about Nocturne
Nocturne 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.
Please note that Choraegus handbell music is designed to come to you as a downloadable PDF file. 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.
Your purchase of the full-choir license allows you to perform, broadcast and live-stream this piece as part of a concert or worship service. There’s no need for any additional license or fee. We askthat youcredit the composer (Larry Sue) and publisher (Choraegus) in any printed media such as concert programs, and online (in video descriptions). Please 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!
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.
Greet the Morning is an original Larry Sue composition, for 3-5 octaves of handbells and 1 octave of handchimes. It’s a Level 3- piece, with the opportunity to use the singing bell technique and to have fun playing handbells and handchimes at the same time!
From Choraegus, Larry describes this as: “a picture of waiting for the sun to rise. The night vanishes gradually as the light of dawn overcomes the darkness. It increases in brightness until all of a sudden, the sun peeks over the horizon and starts the day.
This piece starts with a technique called “singing bell”, borrowed from the Tibetan monastic use of singing bowls. In the latter, the practitioner runs a metal rod around the rim of a circular metal bowl; for handbells, the ringer similarly applies a “singing stick” (a plain or coated wooden dowel) to the rim of the casting. The lowest two bells being “sung”, A3 and E4, produce a “difference tone” of A2 with a frequency equal to the difference of the two pitches.“
Here’s our demonstration video:
More information about Greet the Morning
Greet the Morning 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 allows you to perform, broadcast and live-stream this piece as part of a concert or worship service. There’s no need for any additional license or fee. We askthat youcredit the composer (Larry Sue) and publisher (Choraegus) in any printed media such as concert programs, and online (in video descriptions). Please see our licensing agreement for full details.
Please note that Choraegus handbell music is designed to come to you as a downloadable PDF file. 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.
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!
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.
Walking Home is an original Larry Sue composition, for 3-5 octaves of handbells and 2 octaves of handchimes. It’s an upbeat piece, with opportunities to use a variety of handbell techniques, such as malletting, ring-touch, and thumb-damping. The arrangement is Level 3-, and we enjoyed recording our demonstration video.
More information about Walking Home
Walking Home 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 allows you to perform, broadcast and live-stream this piece as part of a concert or worship service. There’s no need for any additional license or fee. We askthat youcredit the composer (Larry Sue) and publisher (Choraegus) in any printed media such as concert programs, and online (in video descriptions). Please 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!
Please note that Choraegus handbell music is designed to come to you as a downloadable PDF file. 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.
Just a Closer Walk With Thee is the latest 16-bell arrangement from Choraegus. If you like your hymn arrangements with a bit of swing, you’ll love this one! As with all our 16-bell music, it’s designed to show that music for 4-8 ringers doesn’t have to be boring!
More information about Just a Closer Walk With Thee
This arrangement is available from Choraegus in two handbell ranges – C5-G6 and F5-C7. Please check the bells-used charts on the Choraegus page for this piece, to make sure you get the version for the bells you want to play. There are no bell changes, and no techniques that require tables or foam pads. Our 16-bell music is designed to be suitable for groups to play using just music stands.
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 what you’re looking for, please ask us!
She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain is a popular American folk song, and it’s now available to play on handbells!
“She’ll be coming ’round the mountain when she comes, She’ll be coming ’round the mountain when she comes, She’ll be coming ’round the mountain, She’ll be coming ’round the mountain, She’ll be coming ’round the mountain when she comes!”
An interesting difference of opinion
Being a couple who started off in different countries/continents, we sometimes have interesting discussions about song lyrics. This one provoked the question: “What happened to the “aye aye yippee” section”? It turns out that at some point in time, an additional chorus was added, and over in the UK, that’s the version Carla grew up with. For anyone who feels that She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain isn’t complete without the aye aye yippees, here’s an alternative version that we’ll refer to as the UK version:
White horses, and the meeting/greeting
Please note that if you need all the verses, we don’t mind if you repeat some sections of this piece. You’re also welcome to change the rhythms to match the lyrics. Our UK arrangement includes “she’ll be wearing pink pyjamas”, but will need a slight adjustment for white horses and the going out to meet/greet her. You get to decide if you need to make any rhythmic changes, and you’re welcome to ask us if you need help with that!
More information about She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain
As with all Choraegus 12-bell pieces, She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain is suitable for 3-6 ringers. Sheet music is available to purchase and download from Choraegus. Each arrangement is available for three different ranges of handbells, so you can choose which you prefer. Please take time to choose the version you need (UK or US), and refer the bells-used charts on the Choraegus webpage to make sure you have all the bells you need, and make sure you purchase the right version.
Things to know about Choraegus handbell music
Choraegus handbell music scores are designed to be downloaded as a PDF files. That means you’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail. Purchasing a 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six copies for your handbell group. We don’t want you to pay for more copies than you need! A practice track is also available separately – useful if your ringers need to practise their parts without the full group being available.
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 arranger (Larry Sue) and the publisher of the piece(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 handbell music too. If you make a video of your handbell choir playing any of our pieces, we’d love to see it!
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!
The Bay View Week of Handbells Concert 2024 is approaching! We’re looking forward to this year’s concert, where more than a hundred advanced handbell musicians will be performing some beautiful, challenging and exciting music under the baton of director Fred Gramann.
We’ve been attending the Week of Handbells together since 2010, and participating in this event is always a highlight of our year. It’s an opportunity to work with a large group of musicians to prepare a concert to share, in a place we love. The music is always varied, challenging and exciting, and designed to appeal to a variety of musical tastes. Whether you love energetic original compositions, beautiful sacred works, classical pieces or familiar traditional melodies, there will always be something in the Week of Handbells concert that will appeal to you. It’s unlikely that you will ever get to see a concert that features such a huge number of handbells and handchimes!
This year’s concert will be on Thursday, August 15th, 2024, at 7:30pm, at the John M. Hall Auditorium at Bay View. Admission is free, and there will be an offering to benefit the Bay View Association Music Scholarship Fund. There’s no need to book tickets in advance, but you should plan to arrive in plenty of time to get good seats, because it’s a popular concert!
