Handbells Clinic
Core Repertoire
A
Andante - Vivaldi
Angels from the Realm of Glory - K. McChesney
A Bach Pastoral - J.S. Bach / Barbara Kinyon*
A Call to Celebration - A. Sherman*
As the Deer - Nystron, Arr. P. Sanders
B
Battle Hymn of the Republic - Arr. C. Dobrinsky*
Be unto your Name - arr. by Dan Edwards.
Bread of Angels - William Payn
C
Carol of the Bells - Arnold Sherman
Carrillon - D. Wagner
Christmas time - M.W. Smith
Cappriccio - K. McChesney
Come, Thou Almighty King - K.McChesney
Come thou Fount - Arr. K. Moklebust*
Day of the Dance - K. McChesney
Dorian Dance - Michel Joy
E
Exultation - Compton
Exodus Dance - Derek Hakes
F
Fantasia on Forest Green - Loyd Larson*
Fantasia on Kingsfold - Dean Wagner
Fantasy on All Creatures of our God and King- Sandra Eithum
Fantasy on "Repton" - Dean Wagner
Festive Dance - G. Bizet/D. Wagner (Secular)
The First Noel - Cathy Moklebust
For the Beauty of the Earth - Kocher, arr. S. Tucker*
For the Beauty of the Earth - Mallory
From a Distant Home - Michael Helman
Exultate - Josh Bauder
Gaudeamous - Arnold Sherman
G
Gaudeaumus - Arnold Sherman
Grazioso -Arnold Sherman*
Give Thanks - Henry Smith/ Susan Geschke
Greensleeves - Hart Morris (Christmas)
Gypsy Song - George Bizet (Secular)
God of Joy, God of Strength -Kathy Moklebust
Guantanamera - Paul Mcklveen (Folk song- Cuba)
Hava Nagila - Matthew Compton (Jewish Folk song)
I've got the Joy - Valeire W. Stephenson*
I want Jesus to Walk with Me - Tammy Waldrop
Laudation - Arnold Sherman
Light of Peace - Veronica Bigham
Lord of the Dance - Arr. Kevin McChesney
Now the green Blade Riseth - Kevin McChesney
O come, O come Emmanuel - Lohr
Prisms - William A. Payn
Prince of Peace - M.W. Smith, arr. D.Nino*
Rhapsody - Judy Phillips
Roundelay - Judy Phillips
Reverie - Judy Phillips
Song of Joy - Arnold Sherman
The Huron Carol - Dean Wagner
Trumpet Tune in D - Johnson & Griffin
We Three Kings - Arr. David Nino (Christmas)
* Selection for the AIIAS Handbells workshop 2017.
Bells Techniques
Introductory Drills for the beginner Ringer.
Introduction Videos for Beginners
Suggested Repertoire for the Developing Handbells choir
1. For the Beauty of the Earth - Kocher, arr. S. Tucker
This work is mainly based on chord structures. It is always recommended to start the beginner ringer with songs that are based on chords. Hymn tunes are a great source of this type of structure. In this song the ringer will be focusing mainly on quarter notes, and some eight notes. It is important to always emphasize the importance of rhythmical counting.
2. A Joyful praise - Arr. by David Nino
This popular tune and the arrangement is suit to work with eight notes. The familiarity of the tune will help the student to go throughout the piece with confidence while reinforcing the counting (1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &).
3. Grazioso -Arnold Sherman*
This is a beautiful work that combine new techniques such as "mallet on suspended handbell" (Symbol = +). and echo (a courve up arrow). This work is suitable to place the most advance readers on treble clef and the beginners in bass clef. However, as warning in measure 42, the bass clef will have an interesting challenge with "triplet" notes and dotted notes. It is recommended to sing the part, clap the rhythm and use rhythmical words to help on the learning of the triple. Common wording for triplets: 1-lee-la, 2-lee-la. or mu-si-cal, beau-ti-ful, won-der-ful. or similar 3 syllables words.
4. Prince of Peace - M.W. Smith, arr. D.Nino.
This arrangement is more active and combines well with guitar. The arrangement uses malleting and would be suitable for the more advance ringers to play on treble clef. It is an easy work, catchy and perhaps could be played by memory.
5. Light of Peace - Veronica Bigham
This works introduces the 16th note in treble clef. It is a good work to start shifting positions in the group. Warning is given on the sixteen notes. The vocalization of the sixteen could be: 1 e & a, 2 e & a etc. Many directors use 4 syllabus words with very good success on getting the rhythms learned, such 16tn note = pea-nut-bu-tter, etc. However, using too much wording would undermine the meaning of the original work. So, it is good to keep in mind the main and original purpose of the composer.