Handbell Music Reviews 2001 by Camille Ream Handbells Etc. Edmonton, Alberta

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1 Handbell Music Reviews 2001 by Camille Ream Handbells Etc. Edmonton, Alberta Chime Lullaby (alternate worship title "Cradle Lullaby") by Lynne Hollander 2 This lullaby's lovely lilting melody starts in the middle bells, moves to the upper base and then to the treble bells. There are lots of full chords with repeated quarter notes which will work really well for a beginning choir. Just make sure that beat one has a slight stress on it so that both ringers and listeners can feel the rocking motion. The arrangement lends itself to be played on both Choirchimes or handbells. All Glory, Laud and Honor arr. Kinyon 2 What a great piece for any beginning church choir! This familiar hymn tune is full of quarter notes with lots of opportunities for great dynamic variations. Most of the bells rung throughout the music except for the end where there are some marts, mart lifts and shakes. Three Fanfares by Bisbee 2 octaves,2,2+ Each of these three fanfares are written at a different level. The first fanfare, Bell Peal in G is at level 1. This is only 15 measures long - I can see it being rung as a peal before processional or recessional music or to introduce a hymn. No bell changes are needed so ringers can ring this from the back of the sanctuary with no tables or foam needed. The second piece, Cascade For Chimes, is at level 2 and the final piece, Westminster Prelude, is at level 2+. This gives directors the ability to use this music as their choirs progress from easy to medium level music. It could also be used for three different choirs. All three pieces could be played equally effectively on Choirchimes or handbells. Fanfare of Praise by Frier 2 (optional G3) Most often we see Louise Frier's music is for bell trees. It is great to see her spreading her wings! This easy fanfare is very busy for the bells between G4 and G6 but not for the third octave. When assigning this piece for young ringers, you will need to take that into account.

2 March of Praise by Stephenson This original piece of music has most bell ringers pretty busy most of the time. It marches along joyfully with a metronome marking of per quarter note. This music gives the ringers a chance to work on keeping a steady march beat.as well as a chance to work on the dynamics in the music. Let There Be Peace on Earth arr. Sherman 2 - This familiar tune has been used at many, many memorial services since September 11, There are three performance options that can be used, depending on what length you need for performance or worship. This meditative music works well for either church or school settings. Jesus Shall Reign arr. Eithun - This familiar worship tune is a great arrangement - especially for those choirs that are ready to move from level 1 to level 2. Techniques include Marts, LVs and one Shake. It's a very exciting arrangement that, if played with exuberance (as the arranger suggests) will be received by the congregation with great enthusiasm. Second Suite for Handbells by Helman 23 octave There are four parts to this suite (there were only three in the first one). These include Prelude, Soliloquy, Grand March, and Scherzo with each piece including different techniques. This music has been chosen for the mass ringing music Children's Handbell Festival in Edmonton. Prelude will be used this year with another piece chosen from the suite for next year. In the Bleak Midwinter arr. Eithun This Christmas tune is a favourite of mine. It needs an unhurried pace for it to be performed correctly. Try to match the dynamics with words of the music. You might want to have the congregation follow along with the words in the hymnary. The arrangement lends itself to be played on both Choirchimes or handbells.

3 Festive Variations by Helman 23 or 45 octaves This is a great original composition by Michael Helman - the two editions are compatible for massed ringing. There is one time signature change. The music is full of a variety of techniques including: ring touch, mallets. and echoes. The Heavens Are Telling arr. Thompson Keyboard This arrangement was used as one of the mass ringing pieces for the Manitoba Guild of English Handbell Ringers Spring Ring this April. The Heavens Are Telling, written by Haydn, was released for handbells and keyboard in 1989 so it definitely not a "New Release". Martha Lynn Thompson has done an absolutely wonderful job of bringing this music to life. The handbell music at most is a level 2 but with the addition of the keyboard part, it sounds much more difficult. If you are looking for a piece of music that sounds harder than it is, that sounds better than it looks on paper, I would certainly encourage you to purchase this for your choirs. It might just round out your repertoire perfectly! Primrose arr. Yoshida - This original Handbells piece has a wonderful soothing melody accompanied by a broken arpeggios. The music fills out with a chordal accompaniment that leads to a double forte section. Within the last four measures, the dynamics go all the way from forte to triple piano! The music will really give your choir a chance to play musically. The arrangement lends itself to be played on both Choirchimes or handbells. The Birch Tree arr. Waugh This music is based on an old Russian tune - a sort of sad, melancholy tune. Because it is secular music, it would work well in a school setting. Children usually like fast music with lots of action and technique - this is a complete contrast so would work well in as a second festival piece. Twelve Bells for Christmas II arr. Cota (C5 - G6) This book contains Mary, Did You Know; Come On, Ring Those Bells; Good King Wenceslas; He Is Born; West Indies Carol; and I Saw Three Ships. Cota has written a

4 number of other books for 12 bells. What makes this book unique is that most of the selections include thumb damp which can make the music sound more interesting but also increases the challenge. When assigning the music, you might need to consider five or six ringers instead of only three. Remember it's not too early to think about Christmas. Joyful Contemplation by Edwards 3 or 5 octaves Another great composition written by Dan Edwards! (I really like his music.) This music is full of joy and fun! There is a great part for bass ringers - eighth notes malleted then plucked and then they take over the melody. There is a really big ending that goes from pp to ff in two measures - a real challenge for any choir! As soon as my church budget is approved, I will be ordering this one. Broken For You by Wissinger This original handbell composition has a calming, soothing melody that must be played with expression and passion. The most challenging part of this piece is to play it slow enough and with enough dynamics that both the ringers and the listeners will feel the music and its meaning deep in their hearts and souls. Carols of the Manger arr. Schram These carols include Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, Away in the Manger (Kirkpatrick and Murray tune), and Coventry Carol. Schram asks that you play the four bar introduction "playfully" - these same four bars are used as the interlude between the different pieces. Christmas Processional and Medley arr. Hall Opt. Choirchimes The pealing bells at the beginning makes this a great processional that would work well in a church setting or to begin a concert. The Christmas carols that are included are: Joy to the World, Hark! Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Angels We Have Heard on High. Hall has included a great Choirchime part in Angels We Have Heard on High, The music ends with more bells pealing with lots of eighth notes and lots of Let Vibrates. I will be rehearsing this piece with the Resounding Joy Handbells choir and plan to ring it throughout the Christmas season. I think it is one of those pieces that your ringers will enjoy enough that they would be willing to ring this over and over again throughout the Christmas season.

5 To Snow or Not to Snow by Wissinger + This original Christmas composition is a great audience pleaser! Congratulations Kathleen Wissinger! This arrangement goes at a great pace and includes lots of techniques. Perform it well and then let the audience tell you whether it snowed or not! Happy Birthday arr. Wagner Everyone needs to be able to ring Happy Birthday at some time in their ringing career! This music starts out with the traditional sing a long verse for your audience to sing and then the fun starts for the ringers with 3 additional variations. Great fun for all! Fur Elise arr. McChesney 45 octaves I think that I will really like this music on handbells. It lends itself both visually and auditory to the music of handbells. There is a bit of challenge in the music with sixteenth notes in one passage and triplets in another but it is a familiar piece of music to many audiences so would be a great addition to any program Shelter in The Storm by Fortin 456 octaves Level 5 This great original music was used as one of the pieces of music for David R. Davidson's All-Star Choirs at Pinnacle It was also used for the auditions for the new community choir in Edmonton, Alberta. Christopher Fortin's use of a variety of ringing techniques, time and key signature changes gives the ringers and the audience a true sense of "Shelter in the Storm". This will be part of the repertoire for the new Edmonton Handbell Choir.