Tag Archives: Larry Sue

The Angel Gabriel – for 6 Handbells and Piano

“The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
“All hail”, said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary,
most highly favoured lady.”
Gloria!”

The Angel Gabriel is a traditional Basque carol, set to the tune Gabriel’s Message. In modern times, it’s been sung and recorded by artists such as Sting, Charlotte Church and the English band Marillion. Our arrangement is a lively one, proving once again that just because a piece doesn’t use many bells, there’s no reason why it has to be boring! We recorded our demonstration last October, in our chilly northern Michigan cottage. It’s not a perfect rendition, but we were too cold to want to have many attempts at it!

This video features another appearance by Larry’s CONCERT SLING. His shoulder was recovering nicely from surgery at this point, but the sling gives his right arm something to do while Carla hogs four of the six bells.

More information about The Angel Gabriel

The Angel Gabriel is arranged for just 6 handbells, with piano accompaniment. It’s suitable for 2-3 ringers to play, with no requirement to divide the bells in the same way we did. You can play it with just two bells each, or split between two ringers with three bells each. Either way, it’s a fun challenge!

If you’d like to play The Angel Gabriel, 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, for anyone who doesn’t have a pianist available or wants to practise at home.

Other arrangements of this carol

We also have two 8-bell (unaccompanied) arrangements of this carol, one more challenging than the other. Both arrangements are available to download from Choraegus.

Things to know about Choraegus sheet music

Please note that sheet music from Choraegus 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. Purchase of a 6-bell arrangement allows you to print and maintain up to three copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score). Purchase also gives permission for recording, broadcasting, live-streaming and online video-sharing. 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, as well as 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 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. Just about every question anyone has ever asked us is there, along with lots of answers. Please contact us if you don’t find the information you need, and we’ll be happy to help!

Angel Gabriel handbells

Swiss Handbell Music for Christmas – Es ist für uns eine Zeit angekommen

There was once a time… for a glorious few hours on a November evening… when we thought we might be able to start planning a performance for a super-exciting event in New York City. We were asked if we had any Swiss handbell music for the occasion, and we started thinking. Sadly, the performance was not to be, but we still made an arrangement of this Swiss Christmas carol. The thing with inviting bookings for the holiday season is that you never know when you might need to play Christmas carols from other countries. We like to be prepared!

Es ist für uns eine Zeit angekommen translates as Unto Us a Time has Come. It’s a lively traditional carol from the Lucerne region of Switzerland. We performed it for the first time last Christmas, for an online concert (but not in New York City).

More information about this arrangement

Our 8-bell arrangement of Es ist für uns eine Zeit angekommen is suitable for 2-4 ringers. We demonstrate it as a 4-in-hand duet, but there’s no requirement to play 4-in-hand, and no need for tables. Our 8-bell music is useful for small-group ringing, or for social distancing.

How to purchase the sheet music

If you’d like to play some Swiss handbell music, the sheet music is available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus. Purchasing this arrangement gives you permission to print up to four 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.

Choraegus handbell music is designed to come to you as a PDF file, which you’ll need to download. 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.

Swiss handbell music Christmas

12- and 16-Bell Music for Christmas

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!

16-bell music for Christmas
Christmas bells!

Jul, Jul, Strålande Jul – a Swedish Christmas Carol

Jul, Jul, Strålande Jul is a Christmas song from Sweden. Gustaf Nordqvist wrote the music, with lyrics by Edvard Evers. The title translates as “Christmas, Glorious Christmas”, and the carol has been one of the most popular Christmas songs in Sweden since its publication in 1921. There have been many versions of Jul, Jul, Strålande Jul recorded by musicians in Scandinavia and around the world.

Our demonstration video was recorded last December, as part of an online handbell duet concert we put together for a group in Colorado.

More information about this arrangement

Our 8-bell arrangement of Jul, Jul, Strålande Jul is suitable for 2-4 ringers. There are no special techniques written into the score, and there’s no need for bell-sharing or tables.

How to purchase the sheet music

If you’d like to play Jul, Jul, Strålande Jul, the sheet music is available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus. Purchasing this arrangement gives you permission to print up to four 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.

Choraegus handbell music is designed to come to you as a PDF file, which you’ll need to download. 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.

Stralande Jul - handbells

All Creatures of our God and King – for 16 Handbells

“All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise Him, O praise Him!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!” 

All Creatures of our God and King is an English hymn, usually set to the German tune Lasst uns erfreuen, which was originally published with an Easter text. The lyrics were originally written for Whitsun/Pentecost, but the hymn is now used year-round. The tune is also used for the hymn Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones – but we can’t sing or play it without thinking of Mr. Bean, from the British TV series that aired in the 1990s. If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth a look; just search on Google for “Mr Bean hymn”, and you’ll find it easily!

Here’s our 16-bell arrangement:

More information about All Creatures of our God and King

This hymn arrangement is available in two handbell ranges. The version we demonstrate is for 16 handbells from C5 to A6. Another version is available for G4 to E6, to make it possible for 2-octave handbell choirs to play. There’s a key change built in to the arrangement, and some meter changes – but it’s still quite straightforward. Just keep counting! We demonstrate it as a 4-in-hand piece, but it’s suitable for up to 8 ringers. If your handbell ensemble is playing from music stands, or observing social distancing, this could work!

If you’d like to play this arrangement, the sheet music is available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus. 

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 title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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 the information you need, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help!

All Creatures of our God and King handbells

Somebody Loves Me – Handbells, 5-7 Octaves


Somebody Loves Me is a George Gershwin classic, with lyrics by Ballard McDonald and Buddy DeSylva. It was published in time for the 1924 edition of The George White Scandals, a series of revues that ran from 1919 to 1936.

There are some handbell arrangements that are absolutely perfect for sight-reading! We discovered this is not one of them. It’s a Level 5 piece, with lots of chromatic stuff and interesting challenges. After we’d played it, we thought of several ways we could have made our job easier – perhaps with a couple of duplicate bells, layout changes etc. Still, we had fun, and it came out not-too-badly for an unrehearsed piece. Our original plan had been to record it for Valentine’s Day or an anniversary, but once we’d looked at it, we didn’t want to wait any longer – so here it is!

More information about Somebody Loves Me

This arrangement is for 5-7 octaves of handbells. If you’d like to play it, the sheet music is available to download from Choraegus. It’s available as an individual score, or as a full-choir score.

Buying Choraegus handbell music

When you purchase 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.

Somebody Loves Me handbells

Sing We Now of Christmas – Handbells, 3-5 Octaves

Sing We Now of Christmas was a fun recording project for us! This arrangement of the NOËL NOUVELET hymn tune was written for the Carillon Choir at Third Reformed Church of Holland, and they played it for a Christmas Eve service. We decided to put together a recording of our own!

The useful thing about Sing We Now of Christmas is that, with a quick change of title (and maybe no red accessories), it can become Now the Green Blade Riseth. Two playing opportunities for the price of one, and perfect for a spring or Easter worship service.

More information about Sing We Now of Christmas

This arrangement is for 3-5 octaves of handbells. It’s a Level 3 arrangement. If you’d like to play it, the sheet music is available to download from Choraegus. It’s available as an individual score, or as a full-choir score.

More arrangements for fewer bells and smaller groups

We have several other arrangements of this piece! If you don’t have a full handbell choir, or if you’d like to introduce some variety into your worship service or Christmas concert, one of these might work:

8-Bell Standard Version

8-Bell Surprisingly Easy Version

and an arrangement for 6 Handbells and Piano

Buying Choraegus handbell music

When you purchase 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.

Sing We Now of Christmas - handbells

Wexford Carol – New Handbell Music for Christmas

The Wexford Carol is a traditional Christmas carol from County Wexford in Ireland. It’s also known as The Enniscorthy Carol, as William Grattan Flood first heard the tune there in the early 20th century, and transcribed the carol for publication in The Oxford Book of Carols. The lyrics are believed to date back as far as the 12th century, but the tune seems to have been written later; perhaps in the 15th or 16th century. In any case, this is an unusual and interesting carol!

“Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending His beloved Son
With Mary holy we should pray,
To God with love this Christmas Day
In Bethlehem upon that morn,
There was a blessed Messiah born.”

Our 16-bell arrangement of Wexford Carol is perfect for anyone who’s a fan of unusual Christmas carols. The piece contains full-sounding chords, and some really interesting dissonance, which makes for a mysterious and slightly spooky sound. This was one of the first 16-bell arrangements we recorded with just the two of us – at the end of 2020 – with our skinny Christmas tree in the background!

Note: If a Christmas tree salesman ever tells you, “The tree only looks skinny because it’s cold. It’ll get bigger when it warms up”, you can let them know that it doesn’t work like that for trees.

More information about this 16-bell arrangement

Wexford Carol is suitable for 4-8 ringers. The arrangement contains no bell changes, and needs no bell-sharing, so you can play it without needing tables or foam. There are no special techniques, and there’s no requirement to play 4-in-hand. This arrangement is available in two ranges – either from G4 to Eb6 (2 octaves), or from D5 to Bb6 (3 octaves).

In recent weeks, there have been increasing concerns about COVID-19 cases. This arrangement might be useful if you need to play something for your ensemble to play for Christmas while observing social distancing.

If you’d like to play this Wexford Carol, the sheet music is available to purchase, download and print from Choraegus. 

More about Choraegus handbell music

Purchasing this arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to eight copies for your handbell group. 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.

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. Just about every question anyone has ever ask us is there, along with answers! However, if you don’t find the answer you need, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help!

Wexford Carol handbells

The Lord is My Shepherd – Handbells, 4-5 Octaves


The Lord is My Shepherd is an arrangement that Larry wrote in 2008, for Caroline Harnly, in honor of her mother. Caroline was, until recently, the long-term director of the San Francisco State University Handbell Choir. The hymn tune POLAND is an unusual one; it was written by Koschat in 1862.

“The Lord is my shepherd, no want shall I know,
I walk in green pastures, safe-folded I rest,
He leadeth my soul where the still waters flow,
Restores me when wand’ring, redeems when oppressed,
Restores me when wand’ring, redeems when oppressed.”

We enjoyed the opportunity to make a video of this 5-octave arrangement!

More information about The Lord is My Shepherd

This arrangement is for 4-5 octaves of handbells, with optional handchimes. It’s a Level 3 arrangement. If you’d like to play it, the sheet music is available to download from Choraegus. It’s available as an individual score, or as a full-choir score.

Buying Choraegus handbell music

When you purchase 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.

The Lord is my Shepherd handbells

A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth – Handbells, 3 or 5 Octaves

“A lamb goes uncomplaining forth,
The guilt of all men bearing;
‘Tis laden with the sin of earth,
None else the burden sharing;
It goes its way, grows weak and faint,
To slaughter led without complaint,
Its spotless life to offer;
Bears shame, and stripes, and wounds, and death,
Anguish and mockery, and saith,
“Willing all this I suffer.”

Lord, all my life to you I’ll cling,
This love forever holding.
You ever, as you ever me, 
With loving arms enfolding.
Lord, you will be my beacon-light,
Guiding me safe through death’s dark night,
Cheering my heart in sorrow.
Therefore my self, and all that’s mine, 
To you, my Savior, I consign,
From whom all things I borrow.”

A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth was written by Paul Gerhardt, a German Lutheran pastor, in 1647, with music by Wolfgang Dachstein. It’s a beautiful and meaningful hymn for Lent, Holy Week and Good Friday. Here’s our handbell arrangement:

More information about A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth

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

Buying Choraegus handbell music

When you purchase 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.

A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth handbells