When September comes around, there seems to be a “Back to . . . ” frenzy.  In the church that often means Back to Sunday School, Back to Choir, and Back to Handbells.  This past Monday, the handbell group I ring with started our Fall season — we were fewer in number (only 6), but one more will be arriving next week.

Even with a smaller group we had a blast at practice (it’s as much a social gathering as it is a music group).  To ease back into ringing we sight read a number of 12 bell pieces and are planning to play a setting of Hyfrydol for Sept 20, which also happens to be the tune for the Hymn of the Day (LSB 851).  By the end of practice, the piece sounded great.

And what is the moral of the story?  For handbells, at least, you don’t need a dozen ringers and 3+ octaves of handbells to make music.  Even 6 or 7 ringers with 2 octaves of bells can make some joyful noise.  The early beginnings of my group was 6 ringers, 2 octaves of bells, and lots of 12 bell music (all in the key of C!).

Going through the handbell music this weekend, reminded me of the following piece I composed a few years ago for the 7th Sunday after Easter on the Hymn of the Day — Christ is the World’s Redeemer – 16 bells +/- for 2 octaves.  Unfortunately, there is not a dearth of music for the tune Moville — Kenneth Kosche’s organ setting in Musica Sacra (CPH) and John Ferguson’s choral setting (GIA).

Take a listen and enjoy!