We’ve recently had several enquiries about 12- and 16-bell music for Christmas. This type of music can be useful for small ensembles, or for choirs that still need music suitable for social distancing. Here’s what’s currently available from Choraegus; click on a title to find out more about each piece!
12-bell Christmas music
Angels We Have Heard on High
The Christmas carol Angels We Have Heard on High is sung to the French tune GLORIA. It’s a carol of rejoicing!
Angels, from the Realms of Glory (REGENT SQUARE)
Here’s a moderately challenging arrangement that will add to your Christmas ringing!
As with Gladness Men of Old (DIX)
Here’s our 12-bell arrangement(s) of the 19th-century Epiphany carol As with Gladness Men of Old, sung to the hymn tune DIX. This versatile arrangement can also be played with the title For the Beauty of the Earth – suitable for more than just the holiday season!
Away in a Manger (MURRAY)
There are several tunes for Away in a Manger, but this is the melody that’s most often sung in the USA.
Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella
In the French carol Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella, a young girl is sent to bring a torch/candle to bring light to the stable where the Christ Child sleeps.
Ding Dong, Merrily on High
Ding Dong, Merrily on High is a 16-century tune that we now sing as a Christmas carol. It’s especially popular with handbell people, and audiences too!
In the Bleak Midwinter
Here’s our arrangement of Gustav Holst’s famous Christmas song In the Bleak Midwinter. For handbells and piano.
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Edmund Sears wrote the words to It Came Upon the Midnight Clear in 1849, and it’s sung on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean (just with different tunes). This arrangement is to the American melody, CAROL, composed by Richard Storrs Willis.
Still, Still, Still
Our piano-accompanied, twelve-bell version of Still, Still, Still will be a nice addition to your collection of Christmas music! Please note, however, that it’s in G major (i.e. with F#5 and F#6) rather than the usual C major. For handbells and piano.
We Three Kings
We Three Kings tells of special visitors on the first Epiphany. It’s often sung as a carol throughout the Christmas season.
What Child is This/Greensleeves
This versatile English melody can be played with the Christmas title, but also as a secular piece at any time of year!
16-bell Christmas music
From a Distant Home (ISLA DEL ENCANTO)
This joyous Puerto Rican Christmas carol From a Distant Home fits beautifully into sixteen bells!
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (VENI EMMANUEL)
This beautiful Advent carol is an interesting and fun challenge for 16 handbells!
The First Nowell
Our 16-bell arrangement of The First Nowell is an exciting and lively celebration of Christmas!
Sleeping Beauty Waltz
It’s not a traditional Christmas tune, strictly speaking, but if you’re looking for a secular piece for a holiday performance, this arrangement from Tchaikovsky’s ballet could fit the bill!
Wexford Carol
If you’re a fan of unusual Christmas carols, and rich, dissonant chords, you’ll enjoy this arrangement of a traditional Irish Christmas song.
More about Choraegus handbell music
Music from Choraegus is designed to come to you as a PDF file, ready for you to download. You’ll be responsible for printing your own music, and you won’t receive anything in the mail. You can purchase music, download it on the same day, and be ready for your next rehearsal without having to wait!
Purchasing a 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print up to 6 copies of the music for your handbell group. If you purchase a 16-bell arrangement, you can print up to 8 copies. 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.
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 title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.
Any questions?
We hope you’ll enjoy playing some 12- and 16-bell music this Christmas! 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!
