Choraegus handbell music is now on Sheet Music Plus!

This year has seen an exciting development; after years of publishing handbell music only on our Choraegus website, Larry has branched out, just slightly, and now has several pieces available from Sheet Music Plus. The SMP site has been a huge help when arranging titles that are still under copyright, especially when communicating with copyright holders directly proved to be less than successful.

What’s available on Sheet Music Plus?

Winter Wonderland

We’re excited about two recent Christmas arrangements! The first is Larry’s arrangement of Winter Wonderland. Richard Bernhard Smith wrote the lyrics for this song in 1934, and Felix Bernard added the tune. There have now been more than 200 covers of this music!

Sleigh bells ring – are you listenin’?
In the lane snow is glist’nin’,
A beautiful sight,
We’re happy tonight.
Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland!

Our five-octave handbell arrangement is Level 5, which makes it a fun challenge for handbell choirs. We enjoyed making our demonstration video!

Click here to find out more, or purchase Winter Wonderland for your handbell group!

I Wonder as I Wander

The second Christmas arrangement is I Wonder as I Wander. In 1933, John Jacob Niles heard a bit of music from Annie Morgan, a Appalachian girl, and used it as the basis of his song. This medium-difficulty arrangement for just 8 handbells provides ample room to express the interpretation of the carol. Two transpositions, F5-A6 and Eb5-G6, are provided, the latter fitting within the range of a two-octave set of handbells. We enjoyed having a snowy backdrop for our demonstration video, because the snow arrived early in Michigan last winter, and stayed for a while!

I Wonder as I Wander is available from Sheet Music Plus.

Carol of the Drum

Continuing with Christmas music, Carol of the Drum is one of our most popular 8-bell arrangements. Written by Katherine Davis in 1941, the tune is based on a traditional Czech Christmas carol, and most often known as Little Drummer Boy. Our 8-bell arrangement is available in two versions; one more straightforward than the other.

Click here for more information about the standard version of Carol of the Drum

Click here for the “surprisingly easy” version

Bring Me Sunshine

Bring Me Sunshine was written by Arthur Kent and Sylvia Dee in 1966. In the UK, it was used for many years as the theme song for the popular comedy show Morecambe & Wise. Larry’s arrangement is for 3 octaves of handbells, and it’s fun to play. If you need a charming, lighthearted selection for your spring program, this Level 3 arrangement fills the bill!

Click here to find Bring Me Sunshine on Sheet Music Plus

Cavatina

The beautiful, haunting classical guitar work Cavatina was written by Stanley Myers. It was based on music originally written for the movie The Walking Stick in 1970. Myers expanded the piece, and it was recorded by guitarist John Williams. It’s now most famous as the theme tune for the 1978 film The Deer Hunter.  Larry’s arrangement of Cavatina is for 3 or 5 octaves of handbells.

You’ll find the score for Cavatina on Sheet Music Plus.

Enjoy browsing Sheet Music Plus!

We hope you’ll enjoy browsing our selection of handbell music on Sheet Music Plus. You’ll find more of Larry’s arrangements there soon! If there are any popular songs you’d like to see an arrangement for, you’re always welcome to contact us to suggest it. As always, if you have any questions, please let us know!

Winter Wonderland handbell music Sheet Music Plus

New 2-octave hymn arrangements from Choraegus

We’re excited to add some new 2-octave hymn arrangements to the Choraegus website! We enjoyed making demonstration videos of all these new titles, which are accessible arrangements that range from Level 2- to Level 3+. Even though only two octaves of handbells are needed for these pieces, they have a full sound, and enough challenge to keep life interesting, without being overwhelming. If you’re already making plans for Christmas worship services, you might also like to take a look at our recent Christmas arrangements for 2 octaves.

Here are the newest arrangements, with links to the relevant pages on our music site, and demonstration videos:

All Things Bright and Beautiful

This is a Level 2 arrangement of the ROYAL OAK hymn tune. It’s a lively arrangement, with thumb-damping to add to the joyous mood. Watch our demonstration video below, and find more information on the Choraegus website.

For the Beauty of the Earth

The hymn tune DIX has always been an interesting one to us, as a US/UK couple. Here in the USA, it’s used here as a year-round hymn, but in the UK it’s more often used with the text As With Gladness, Men of Old, and sung as an Epiphany carol. Whichever version you decide to use, this is an accessible Level 2- arrangement, and you can find it on the Choraegus website. Here’s our demonstration video:

It Is Well With My Soul

This is a popular hymn by Horatio Spafford and Philip Bliss. The tune is VILLE DU HAVRE, and this arrangement is Level 2+. Our demonstration video is below, and you can find the music available to download from the Choraegus website.  

My Jesus, I Love Thee

The hymn tune GORDON is from the 19th century. You can find the music for this gently flowing arrangement on the Choraegus website, and watch our demonstration video below:

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need is sung to the hymn tune RESIGNATION, and the lyrics are based on Psalm 23. It’s a popular hymn for Good Shepherd Sunday. Our 2-octave Level 2 arrangement is available to download from Choraegus.

O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High

This is a hymn that dates all the way back to a 15th-century Latin text by an unknown author. The tune is DEO GRACIAS, also sometimes known as AGINCOURT. This new 2-octave arrangement is Level 3-, and you can find it on the Choraegus website.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

LOBE DEN HERREN is a 17th-century German hymn. This new 2-octave Level 3 arrangement is available from Choraegus. You can watch our demonstration video below:

That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright

That Easter Day uses the 15th-century hymn tune PUER NOBIS. Interestingly, this tune is also used for the Advent hymn On Jordan’s Bank, the Baptist’s Cry, so this arrangement can easily be used for both those occasions in the church year! It’s a lively Level 2+ arrangement, available to download from Choraegus. Here’s our demonstration video:

When Morning Gilds the Skies

This is the hymn tune LAUDES DOMINI. It’s another Level 2 arrangement that we enjoyed playing. Watch our demonstration video below, or click on this link to find When Morning Gilds the Skies on the Choraegus site!

Other 2-octave hymn arrangements from Choraegus

We have other 2-octave arrangements available too! Click on each title to find more information and demo videos:

Be Thou My Vision (SLANE)

Blessed Assurance (ASSURANCE)

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (NETTLETON)

ENGELBERG (When In Our Music God is Glorified, All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine)

Eternal Father, Strong to Save (MELITA)

How Great Thou Art (O STORE GUD)

Kum Ba Yah

Lift High the Cross (CRUCIFER)

My Faith Has Found a Resting Place (LANDÅS)

Now Thank We All Our God (NUN DANKET)

Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven (LAUDA ANIMA)

The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended (ST. CLEMENT)

WOODLANDS

CLICK HERE FOR CHRISTMAS 2-OCTAVE MUSIC!

How to purchase 2-octave arrangements

Music scores for our 2-octave arrangements are 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 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 also 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 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!

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.

2-octave hymn arrangements from Choraegus handbells

Eternal Father, Strong to Save – 2-Octave Handbell Music

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm does bind the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

William Whiting wrote Eternal Father, Strong to Save in England, in 1860, and English clergyman John Bacchus Dykes wrote the tune MELITA to accompany the lyrics. The hymn was first published in Hymns Ancient and Modern in 1861. The hymn has been adopted in various forms and adaptations by the Royal Navy, the United States Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps, and other maritime services. For this reason, it’s also known as The Navy Hymn, as well as sometimes being referred to as For Those in Peril on the Sea.

Larry was recently asked to write a 2-octave arrangement of this hymn. Here’s our demonstration video of this Level 3 piece:

More information about this 2-octave handbell music

Sheet music for Eternal Father, Strong to Save 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 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 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.

Eternal Father, Strong to Save - handbells

Otsego Hometown Christmas 2024 – Handbells

December 7 at 4:00 pm 6:00 pm EST

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!

Otsego Hometown Christmas

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!

Free Free Admission

Together Otsego Prospers – TOP

View Organizer Website

TOP Riverfront Pavilion

218 N Farmer St
Otsego, Michigan 49078 United States
+ Google Map

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

Nocturne – for Handbells

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 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.

Nocturne, handbells

Just a Closer Walk With Thee – for 16 Handbells

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.

Click here to find out more, or purchase sheet music (digital download) on our Choraegus site.

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 what you’re looking for, please ask us!

Just a Closer Walk With Thee - Handbells

She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain – for Handbells

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!

Coming Round the Mountain for handbells

A Sparrow on Christmas Morning – for Handbells

A Sparrow on Christmas Morning is a poem that was originally written in Swedish by Finnish writer Zacharias Topelius, in 1859. The poem, Sparven om julmorgonen, was translated to Finnish — Varpunen jouluaamuna — and set to music by Otto Kotilainen. This beautiful Christmas song was first published in 1913. It tells of a girl feeding a sparrow that turns out to be the spirit of her late brother.

Sleep the flowers of the vale underneath the snow
Turned to ice with winter’s grasp, water’s playful flow
A sparrow, a tiny one, cold north wants you undone
Turned to ice with winter’s grasp, water’s playful flow

At the yard of a poor man’s house, a girl kind and dear:
A seed for you my tiny one, a seed for you right here!
Oh, you poor homeless thing, Christmas can’t make you sing
Seed for you my tiny one, seed for you right here!

Heart and wing afluttering, the girl and the bird
Featherlight touch on her palm and a voice she’s heard:
Blessings to you, my dear! Your kindness brought me here
Featherlight touch on her palm and a voice she’s heard

I have lived your life, oh child, and to you I tell
That I am your brother’s ghost, and I knew you well
This seed grown by the sun, a kindness to a tiny one
Gift for your dead brother’s ghost
Still he knows you well

This seed grown by the sun, a kindness to a tiny one
Gift for your dead brother’s ghost
Still he knows you well
“.

The power of social media!

This song came to our attention when one of our friends mentioned it on our Facebook page, and asked if Larry could arrange it for handbells. We’d never heard the song before, but quickly fell in love with the haunting melody.

A beautiful, melancholy song for the winter season

Our arrangement of A Sparrow on Christmas morning is for 3 or 5 octaves of handbells, with 3 octaves of handchimes. If you don’t have handchimes, you can play the piece without them, of course, but the chimes are particularly effective if you do have them! There’s also an opportunity to use “alternate bells” for the introduction. Our video shows Silver Melody Bells, but you could also use Whitechapel or Taylor handbells, Petit and Fritsens, or even handchimes if you chose to. Alternatively, 5-octave choirs can choose to play the introduction an octave higher. The arrangement is Level 3+, and uses suspended malleting, thumb damps, and shakes in the upper treble bells to represent the call of the sparrow as it shivers in the cold, eats the seeds, and sings before falling asleep. Here’s our demonstration video:

More information about A Sparrow on Christmas Morning

A Sparrow on Christmas 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 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!

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.

Sparrow on Christmas Morning - snowy winter scene

Handbells at Hudsonville Library, with Larry and Carla

December 12 at 1:00 pm 2:00 pm EST

Enjoy the traditional sounds of Christmas handbells at Hudsonville Library! Michigan handbell duo Larry and Carla will be back for the sixth year with a program of handbell duets!

Christmas Handbells at Hudsonville Library



Larry and Carla are West Michigan’s smallest handbell choir. They started playing handbells when Carla lived in England and Larry lived in California. Their shared love of handbells led to a chance meeting online! Larry and Carla spent nearly three years in a long-distance relationship, and eventually they were able to go through the US visa process before getting married in California in 2012. They moved from California to Holland, Michigan in the summer of 2016.

This will be Larry and Carla’s sixth time at this popular Hudsonville Library holiday event. They’ll demonstrate the art of playing handbells using the traditional “4 in hand” technique, where they each hold four bells. Their program will include some well-known carols, as well as some less-familiar holiday tunes from around the world. You’ll also hear music played on a set of of handchimes, and perhaps even have a chance to try playing them! There will be plenty of opportunity to ask all your burning questions about handbells, and coffee and snacks will be provided.

Please join us as we celebrate Christmas in the traditional way with handbells at Hudsonville Library. We look forward to welcoming you to this popular annual event, presented by the Friends of the Gary Byker Memorial Library.

Christmas at Hudsonville Library
Free to attend; a donation to the Friends of the Library is appreciated

TOP Riverfront Pavilion

218 N Farmer St
Otsego, Michigan 49078 United States
+ Google Map

Friends of the Gary Byker Memorial Library

View Organizer Website