As you choose music for Advent and Christmas, consider picking a tune that you might also use later in the year making it appropriate for the liturgical season by merely changing the title. Allowing this freedom, opens up a new resource to you in strengthening your ensemble.
Mastering a piece that is multi-seasonal helps in a number of ways:
- If you struggle with rehearsal attendance, this will pare down the time spent on learning notes and allow you and your ringers to focus on musicality.
- Newer ringers may enjoy the opportunity of playing the piece with more confidence the second time leading to a more worshipful experience.
- This will benefit your music budget. Who doesn’t love stretching the dollar!
Below are suggestions of titles from ChimeWorks. All of these titles are written for handbells but are specifically recommended because they work well for handchime ensembles, too. The titles in bold are as they are published under Handchime Ensembles where they are available for immediate purchase and digital download.
Tune: Puer Nobis
Advent: On Jordan’s Bank, the Baptist’s Cry
Epiphany: What Star Is This, With Beams So Bright
Easter: That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright (L1) 2 – 3 Octaves 3 – 5 Octaves
Tune: Noël Nouvelet
Christmas: Sing We Now of Christmas
Easter: Now The Green Blade Rises
General: Variations On A French Carol (L2) 2 Octaves with Percussion
Tune: Hyfrydol
General: Meditation on Hyfrydol (L3) 3 Octaves
Advent: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Easter: Alleluia! Sing To Jesus
General: Love Divine, All Love Excelling
Tune: Morning Song or Consolation
Advent: The King Shall Come (L2) 2 – 3 Octaves 3 – 5 Octaves
Thanksgiving: Give Thanks To God Who Hears Our Cry
Morning or Thanksgiving: Awake, Awake To Love And Work
Tune: Prospect
Christmas: The Hills Are Bare At Bethlehem
Pentecost: The Lone, Wild Bird (L3) 3 – 5 Octaves with C instrument
Tune: Duke Street
Ascension: Jesus Shall Reign (L1) 2 – 3 Octaves 3 – 5 Octaves 2 – 5 Octaves
Easter: I Know That My Redeemer Lives
General: Prelude on Duke Street
General (Trust): Fight The Good Fight
General: From All That Dwell Below The Skies
Tune: Afton Water
General: As Rain From The Clouds (L2) 3 – 5 Octaves with optional harp
Christmas: Away In A Manger