Handbells

I have been twice blessed in my career to direct a church music ministry complete with a five-octave handbell ensemble. When they weren’t ringing Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance or Sousa’s Stars And Stripes Forever in concert, they were ringing brilliant and exciting anthems and hymn arrangements in worship. For Lent one year, I wrote my five-octave handbell arrangement of Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley. Two versions are included here … the original which modulates at one point from the opening G-Major section up a half-step to A-flat Major. This, of course, requires about every handbell in a five-octave set, but is, I think, especially satisfying for ringers and listeners alike. A (somewhat simplified) revision is also included here … modulating from the opening G-Major section up a fourth to C-Major. Each version concludes with the discovery that a beloved tune from our childhood can be played in simultaneity with Jesus Walked…in the upper octave of Choirchimes. Each version concludes with the discovery that a beloved tune from childhood Sunday School can be played in unsuspecting and haunting simultaneity with the melody of Jesus Walked. in the upper octave of Choirchimes.  In concert (especially a Patriotic Concert), one of these five-octave ensembles particularly enjoyed ringing some of my original rags, so my Hanky Panky Rag and my Rhubarb Rag are included here as well.

Composer / Arranger and Lifelong Church Musician

Songs of Home

Composer / Arranger and Lifelong Church Musician

Reflection of Hope