Handbell Music Review

Volume 16

by Camille Ream

Handbells Etc.

Edmonton, Alberta

 

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Animal Antics - Today's Handchimes - by Mitchell 3 octaves Level 1

 

This original handbell music actually includes four different pieces. All have alternate names so they can be used in a church setting by a youth choir. Prancing Ponies (Processional) includes staccato and ring touch notes - tick tock blocks are also suggested. Other titles include Educated Elephants (Celebration), Dancing Dogs (A Happy Time), and Monkey Tricks (March in C Major). All pieces are at a level one and can be used on handbells or Choirchimes®. Please remember that you can do some of the techniques on Choirchimes® but not all of them.

 

Morning Has Broken - arr by Sherman 345 octaves Level 1

 

This familiar Gaelic melody works well with bells or Choirchimes®. It is in the key of G and includes two verses. It is repetitive so would be easy for

young or beginning ringers to learn in a short time.

 

Buffalo Gal's Chopsticks - arr by Smith - 3 octaves Level 2-

 

This energetic piece must be rung "western style"! It opens up the possibility of cowboy hats, blue jeans and plaid shirts! In addition to the multiple techniques that are used, ringers have the opportunity to hit their mallets together or on their music stand...James Smith has added a separate Orff/percussion part so everyone in the class can be involved.

 

Theme from "The Unfinished Symphony" - arr. Thompson 345 octaves Level 2

 

This Schubert piece works well in church or school settings. The melody moves from the treble bell to the bass bells. Accompanying music lines are LV eight notes. Great opportunity for your ringers to work on phrasing and musicality.

 

Dona Nobis Pacem - arr. Tucker - 345 octaves opt. Choirchimes® -Level 2

 

Margaret Tucker has put together a really wonderful arrangement of this traditional melody. Many options for performance are available. It can be performed on handbells alone, or handbells with three or four instruments such as cello, violin, oboe, flute, bassoon, clarinet, or handbells with keyboard or handbells with instruments and keyboard. If you want to get others involved, you have the option to purchase a separate SATB part! Simple enough that if all parties know their parts, it will only take one rehearsal to pull it together for performance.

 

The Colors of God's Love - by Stephenson 3456 octaves Level 3

 

This original piece of music commissioned by the friends of Carolyn Tenery, a ringer who was described as a very colorful person. Valerie Stephenson writes "As we travel through life's journey, we experence a varieto fo emotions, The somber (blue section) played on handchimes reminds us of times of sadness or reflection. The intense (red) secion usind mallets, martellatos , accents and shakes, reminds us o times of excitement, The sparkling (yellow) opening and closing themes are pure joy, reminiscent of all the happy times in our lives. Through all of the various emotions and experiences in our lives, God's love and presence are always with us.

 

 

Passacaglia for Handbells - by Helman 345 octaves Level 4-

 

This original handbell composition starts out very simply with a repeating bass melody of 8 measures. This same theme repeats itself with a different variation every 8 measures - there are 145 measures in the piece - you can do the math! This might sound kind of boring but it is definitely not! The theme is wonderful and comforting to listen to - the rest of the music is filled with fullness and variety! The accompaniment uses many different techniques and uses quarter, eighth, triplets, and sixteenths. Helman makes this wonderful melody throughout it all. Directors, ringers and audiences will love how this pieces builds to the final chord. This piece would work well in community or church setting. I am a huge fan of Michael Helman's music - this is no exception to the quality and depth of his previous compositions.

 

Classical Gas - arr. by McKlveen 45 octaves Level 4

 

Anyone remember this music by Mason Williams? Lots of syncopation, rhythmic changes (meters include 2/4 3/4 4/4 5/4 and a little 12/8!) Metronome marking is 164 for the quarter note. Lots of challenge but great fun. Audiences will love it!