Tag Archives: Advent

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – easy handbell music for Advent

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is one of the most popular hymns for the Advent and Christmas season. We were recently asked for a straightforward 2-3 octave arrangement, designed for beginning and improving handbell choirs.

Here’s our demonstration video of this Level 1+ piece.

More information about this 2-3 octave arrangement

Click here to go to the Choraegus website

This arrangement of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is written with beginning/improving handbell choirs in mind. There are lots of chords, and lots of quarter notes; ideal for less-confident ringers. It’s a no-frills arrangement, and you can add as many repeats as you need. This arrangement is also suitable to be played on handchimes if you prefer. Sheet music is available to purchase and download from Choraegus. We offer the full choir license at a bargain price for this “no frills” arrangement. Purchase 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 ask that you credit 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 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, or any of 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.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - easy handbell music from Choraegus

Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow – for Handbells

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.

Purchase of the full choir license gives you our no-fuss permission to print up to 15 copies for your group.

If you don’t have enough ringers for 3- or 5-octave handbell music, there’s also a 12-bell arrangement of the same carol, available from Choraegus.

Performance license is included!

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 ask that you credit 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.

Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow, handbells

Hark, the Glad Sound! 12-Bell Music for Advent

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!

Hark, the Glad Sound - handbells

Advent Handbell Concert in Kalamazoo

December 1 at 12:00 pm – 12:50 pm EST

Holland-based handbell duo Larry and Carla will be performing an Advent Handbell Concert at First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo. This duet performance will feature traditional Advent music and perhaps just a few Christmas carols too. Each arrangement uses just 8 handbells! Handbell music is a wonderful way to prepare for the coming season of joy and celebration.

Larry and Carla are a married couple, brought together by their passion for handbells. They’ve been performing handbell duets together since 2012, and aim to demonstrate that handbells are not only beautiful to listen to, but graceful and interesting to watch. For this Advent handbell concert, Larry and Carla will play Malmark handbells and handchimes, manufactured in Pennsylvania.

Advent handbell concert in Kalamazoo

If you’d like to book Larry and Carla for a performance, please get in touch. Handbell music is a wonderful addition to a worship service, community event, winter wedding or holiday performance. A handbell duo takes up less space than a traditional full-size handbell choir, making such a group ideal for venues where space is limited. And handbells aren’t just for Christmas! If you miss this Advent handbell concert, remember that Larry and Carla are available to play for performances year-round. Let us know the type of event you’re planning, and let’s talk more!

Advent Concerts First UMC Kalamazoo
Free

First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo

212 S Park St W
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007 United States + Google Map
View Venue Website

Holiday Handbell Duets in Zeeland

December 4 at 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm EST

The Music Ministry of Second Reformed Church in Zeeland welcomes guests to attend a celebration of the Sounds of the Christmas Season, featuring Larry and Carla, handbell musicians from Holland. We are pleased to welcome this husband and wife duo whose repertoire extends across the entire spectrum of hymns, classical music, Christmas carols and folk music. They aim to demonstrate that handbell performances are not only beautiful to listen to, but also create graceful and interesting visual art. Larry and Carla Sue will share their talent in a free concert at 5:00 pm on Sunday, December 4. Second Reformed Church is located at 225 E. Central Avenue. No tickets required. Guests are cordially invited to remain for refreshments and for an opportunity to meet the musicians following the recital.

Join Larry and Carla to celebrate the season with beautiful music written for handbells.

holiday handbell duets Zeeland

About Larry and Carla

Larry and Carla started playing handbells in 1987; Larry in California, and Carla in England. Carla has performed and taught extensively throughout England, and also in Estonia, France and the USA. Larry was a member and director of several handbell choirs in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. He is a published handbell composer, bass handbell specialist, and the author of The Bass Ringer’s Notebook. Larry is also a recipient of the Donald E. Allured Award for Handbell Composition.

Larry and Carla first met online on a website for handbell musicians. After a couple of years in a long-distance relationship, they were married in California in 2012 and started performing handbell duets together. In 2016, they moved to Holland, Michigan. They arrange all their own music, both secular and sacred, and run their own publishing company, Choraegus. Larry and Carla aim to demonstrate that handbell performances are not only beautiful to listen to, but can also be graceful and interesting to watch.

For this Holiday Handbell Duets concert, Larry and Carla will be performing with Malmark handbells and handchimes. Their repertoire will include a selection of traditional Advent and Christmas carols from around the world.

Free Admission is free, but donations to support the recital series are appreciated.

Second Reformed Church of Zeeland

Second Reformed Church of Zeeland

225 E Central Ave
Zeeland, Michigan 49464 United States + Google Map
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Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus – for 12 Handbells and Piano

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus is an Advent hymn written by Charles Wesley. The tune, JEFFERSON, is also used for the Pentecost hymn Wake, the Dawn is Now Full Rising, and the hymns Tears of Suffering and God, Our Author and Creator. Our 12-bell arrangement has piano accompaniment.

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus is suitable for 3-6 ringers, with no special techniques required. This means you can play the piece without the need for tables or foam. The piano accompaniment score is included with this arrangement and there is an mp3 available to purchase separately; useful if you don’t have a pianist available, or need to practise without an accompanist.

Where to find the music

If you’d like to play Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus the sheet music is available to purchase and download from Choraegus.

When you buy Choraegus handbell music, please note that the 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. 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 12-bell music with piano accompaniment

In the Bleak Midwinter

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

Still, Still, Still

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!

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus handbells

Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers – Music for 12 Handbells

Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers is our newest 12-bell arrangement. The tune is the traditional Swedish folk tune HAF TRONES LAMPA FÄRDIG, so this arrangement would work in secular performances, as well as in church.

Today is the last of Larry’s 20 radiation treatments. We’ve been driving from Holland to Ann Arbor every day, Monday to Friday, for the last four weeks. It’s a 3-hour journey there, and a 3-hour journey back, through typical Michigan winter weather. Today feels like a good day to introduce a happy handbell arrangement!

Suitable for social distancing!

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 – spaced as far apart as you need them to be!

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 Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers, 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!

Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers - handbells

New Advent Music for 8 Handbells and Piano – Hills of the North, Rejoice


We’re pleased to introduce some new Advent music for handbells and piano. This Advent hymn from England was written by Charles Edward Oakley. The words are most often set to the tune Little Cornard, written by Martin Shaw. Hills of the North, Rejoice is our latest 8-bell arrangement for handbells with piano accompaniment. We recorded our demonstration video at our Victorian summer cottage in Bay View, Petoskey. If you listen carefully, you might hear the heavy rain falling outside!

“Hills of the North, rejoice,
river and mountain-spring,
hark to the advent voice;
valley and lowland, sing.
Christ comes in righteousness and love,
he brings salvation from above.”

As with all our 8-bell arrangements, there are no bell changes, no picking-up of accidentals, and no shared bells. There are no stopped-sound techniques, and no need for tables or foam pads. This makes it particularly suitable for a socially-distanced handbell duo, trio or quartet, playing from music stands.

If you’d like to play Hills of the North, Rejoice, 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 available accompanist, or for rehearsal purposes.

Important information about buying Choraegus handbell music

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. 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, church websites 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.

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.

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 do what we can to help!

Advent music for handbells