Lent is here and if you haven’t already made music choices for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, now is the time. If you own handbells, choosing to ring handchimes on these two holy days may be an effective decision. Their mellow and ethereal sound will set a tone for your worship.
Here are some pieces that we highly recommend for your consideration. All of the title are available from ChimeWorks for immediate purchase and digital download.
Maundy Thursday
- Author/Composer/Arranger: Shawn Gingrich
- Octaves Used – Select One: 3 – 5 Octaves
- Level: Level 1+
A classic French melody arranged in an easy-to-ring style for 3-5 octaves. Ideal for an offertory or prelude on a special service.
- Author/Composer/Arranger: Margaret R. Tucker
- Octaves Used – Select One: 3 – 5 Octaves
- Level: Level 2
This collection of four pieces includes two familiar communion hymn tunes (ADORO TE DEVOTE and EUCHARISTIC HYMN) and two original compositions (O Taste and See and Eat This Bread, Drink This Cup). The original pieces have alternate titles for general use. The four pieces may be played separately or as a group, and each piece has points at which the music may be shortened or repeated.
Communion Meditations, Set 2
- Author/Composer/Arranger: Margaret R. Tucker
- Octaves Used – Select One: 3 – 5 Octaves
- Level: Level 2
This collection includes four reflective, variable-length pieces suitable for communion or general use. Three of the pieces are arrangements of “Holy Manna, Picardy” and an old Cornish round, “The Lord is My Shepherd.” The fourth piece, “In Remembrance” (or “Meditation in G Minor”), is an original composition, which also incorporates the optional use of the hymn tune “Martydom”.
- Author/Composer/Arranger: Robert E. Kreutz, Sondra K. Tucker
- Octaves Used – Select One: 2 – 3 Octaves
- Level: Level 2+
This arrangement of the beloved communion hymn moves gracefully from 4/4 to 3/4 time, providing a good introduction to mixed meter. Ringers should be sure to emphasize the melody, particularly when it appears in the inner voices, and maintain a legato line throughout.
Thee We Adore – Collection for Holy Week and Easter
- Author/Composer/Arranger: Cathy Moklebust
- Octaves Used – Select One: 2 Octaves
- Level: Level 2
- Use Caution with Techniques and/or Tempo: Caution
These easy arrangements will be ideal for a beginning bell choir. The hymns included are: “Thee We Adore (Adoro Te Devote)”; “Lamb of God, Most Holy (O Lamm Gottes, Unschuldig)”; “Now The Green Blade Rises (Noel Nouvelet)”; and “Christ The Lord is Risen Today (Orientis Partibus)”.
Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior (2 – 3 Octaves) (3 – 5 Octaves)
- Author/Composer/Arranger: Cathy Moklebust
- Level:Level 1+
Ethereal and delicate, this is a very easy setting of the 17th century French tune “Adoro Te Devote.”
- Author/Composer/Arranger: Kathleen Wissinger
- Octaves Used – Select One: 2 – 3 Octaves
- Level: Level 2-
This gentle 16th-century tune features fermatas. Few parentheses are used for the mostly-chordal melody, played by both treble and bass ringers. All ringers but one encounter at least one easy bell change. Some unison exercises on (1) preparing for bell changes, (2) watching the director for fermatas will help train ringers to play calmly and precisely.
Good Friday
- Author/Composer/Arranger: Susan Geschke
- Octaves Used – Select One: 3 – 5 Octaves
- Level: Level 2+
This deeply-moving setting uses rich textures and lush harmonies to mirror the emotion of the text. This prayerful setting is especially effective during Lent, Communion or any time of quiet meditation. Using only legato ringing and an ABA form, this beloved hymn is accessible to virtually all choirs and is certain to become a favorite.
- Author/Composer/Arranger: William E. Moats
- Octaves Used – Select One: 3 – 5 Octaves
- Level: Level 2+
The familiar Lenten hymns Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed and Beneath the Cross of Jesus progress to the final theme of Amazing Grace in this thoughtful medley.
- Author/Composer/Arranger: Cathy Moklebust
- Octaves Used – Select One: 2 – 5 Octaves
- Level: Level 3
The melody in this original work is hauntingly reflective of the words “Kyrie eleison,” meaning “Lord, have mercy.”
What Wondrous Love Is This (2 – 3 Octaves) (3 – 5 Octaves)
- Author/Composer/Arranger: Susan Geschke
- Octaves Used – Select One: 2 – 3 Octaves
- Level: Level 1+
Published in two compatible editions, this tender setting of the beloved Appalachian folk song may be played by either handbells or handchimes. With minimal bell changes and easy techniques such as shake and echo, this piece provides an excellent opportunity for expressive, sensitive ringing.
He Never Said A Mumbalin’ Word
- Author/Composer/Arranger: Arnold B. Sherman
- Octaves Used – Select One: 3 – 5 Octaves
- Level: Level 3
- Origin: African American Spiritual
- Use Caution with Techniques and/or Tempo: Caution
- Author/Composer/Arranger: Alan Lohr
- Octaves Used – Select One: 3 Octaves
- Level: Level 2
This simple three-octave arrangement of the well-known gospel hymn by John T. Grape features minimal bell changes and plenty of harmonic interest. The straightforward treatment enables the listener to reflect on the meditative text of the hymn.
- Author/Composer/Arranger: Arnold B. Sherman
- Octaves Used – Select One: 3 – 5 Octaves
- Level: Level 2+
A pensive setting of the Hans Leo Hassler chorale.
- Author/Composer/Arranger: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Douglas E. Wagner
- Octaves Used – Select One: 3 – 5 Octaves
- Level: Level 2
A beautiful setting from Webber’s Requiem.