Handbell Music Review
Volume 2
by Camille Ream
Handbells Etc.
Edmonton, Alberta
Siyahamba Arr. Maggs 3 Octaves Level 1

Siyahamba (We Are Marching) is an upbeat African song. The addition of tambourines or other shaker instruments will help maintain the rhythm and tempo of the song. Even though the music has only quarter, half and whole notes, it sounds "more difficult" than it really is to play.

Dreidel, Dreidel Arr. DeWitt 34 Octaves Level 1

A dreidel is a Jewish top-like toy that you spin. The four letters which appear on the four corners of a dreidel allude to the miracle of Hanukkah. The dreidel is spun and depending on where it stops, you either get candies or you lose candies. The music imitates the dreidel really well. The rhythmic staccato line is best played with mallets. It is a fun piece that would work well for a multicultural event at a school setting.

Jesus, Our Brother, Kind and Good Arr. Angerman 23 octaves Level 1

This traditional Christmas piece is sometimes referred to as "The Friendly Beasts". This simple arrangement would be a wonderful choice of music for the beginning two or three octave choir. (Neither the upper or lower third octave is very busy. The melody moves among all voices. There is a good opportunity for ringers to practise precise damping in the first eight measures. Staccato notes can be malleted, thumbdamped, or plucked.


Oh, How I Love Jesus Arr. Ingram 34 Octaves Level 2

This music combines the two familiar hymn tunes, Oh, How I Love Jesus and Jesus Loves Me. Ingram suggest that Choirchimes® be used for the slower passage of Jesus Loves Me. Bill Ingram writes "As you ring these two wonderful melodies, many of your listeners will recall their words of love and devotion from these hymns. May the beauty of your music and the meaning of these hymn texts lead you and others to worship Jesus."


Emma's Theme And A Child Shall Lead Them By Morris 345 Octaves Level 3

This lullaby like music is an original composition by Hart Morris. It is best played with the addition of a C Instrument (Hart suggests a violin). The very gentle melody is repeated often but each time it repeats, a different technique is added or the key signature is changed. I would suggest that this music be played for a baptismal service. It is sure to have a calming effect on both children and parents.


Alotta Staccata By Waldrop 23 Octaves Level 3

When first looking at this music, one might think that it is easier than a Level 3. Take a closer look! Ringers must change from mallets, to mart lifts, to thumb damps, to marts to rings and then to shakes and that is only the first two pages! This piece has great potential for lots of fun! There's Alotta Staccata but there's Alotta of other stuff too!



Fairest Lord Jesus with Adagio from Sonata Pathetique Arr. Walters/Kent 345 Octaves Level 3

When I first heard this music, I had tears in my eyes. It is very moving the way these two wonderful pieces of music are combined. The passion and emotion that choirs can elicit from this music is outstanding. Please get this one for your choirs. You and your congregations will be touched beyond words when this is shared in worship.


Joy in the Morning Arr. Thompson 345 Octaves Level 3

The words and music for this piece was originally written by Natalie Sleeth. It can be performed either with handbells and SATB choir or by handbells alone. Choirchimes® are to be used in the middle slower section. The music starts out in F minor key and ends in a Bb major. A variety of handbell techniques are used throughout the piece. This is a great way to combine handbells with voice.
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