Tag Archives: handbell

Handbells Ringing Again

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!

New Music from CPH

This is just a heads up that CPH recently released their new choral, handbell, and organ books/pieces for 2009. As always, CPH has MP3s and PDF samples of the pieces to view before purchasing. On the organ side, at least, there were a few items that got my attention early on and I have since purchased.

CPH is continuing its series “Musica Sacra” with Volume 7 by Donald Busarow. The Musica Sacra series is a great way to get some easier and quick pieces to prepare that are interesting. I have all 7 volumes and I consistently use all of them, but especially the volumes by Hildebrand, Kosche, and Culli. Just to be aware, I’d guess that roughly half of the compositions in Volume 7 are reprints of previously published pieces. I’m thinking that by the copyright date they are from the Concordia Hymn Prelude series which CPH is now slowly retiring.

The other selection I ordered was Kevin Hildebrand’s “Five Easy Easter Hymn Settings for Organ” . I know Easter is over and I won’t be able to use this set for another year — BUT it has a lovely setting of Duke Street which is appropriate for funerals throughout the year.

If you’re in the market for some sacred music, give the folks at CPH a try. They have an abundance of resources — especially for the Lutheran musician. But if you want Paul Manz, Michael Burkhardt, or some of Robert Hobby’s pieces, you’ll need to head over to MorningStar Music.

Church Music Workshops @ CTSFW

Kramer Chapel OrganChrist is risen!  He is risen indeed!  As the music of Holy Week and Easter Sunday continues to ring in our ears, I’d like you to think about summer.

What’s happening this summer?  The Church Music Workshops at Concordia Theological Seminary – Ft. Wayne, IN.  This year there are opportunities for organists, AND choir directors, AND handbell directors/ringers.  In other words, bring the whole crew.

These workshops are an excellent opportunity for fellowship, refreshment, and growth.  I’ve attended twice over the last few summers and they were great experiences.  See my previous reviews here and here.

  • If you’re a musician, consider attending.
  • If you’re a pastor, ask your musician(s) if they would like to attend.
  • If you’re a lay person, offer to send your musician.

The following information is provided by Kantor Kevin Hildebrand:

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