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Concert & Festival | Music for the Advanced Ensemble
Concert, Classical &
Popular Music for the
Advanced Ensemble
Allegro con fuoco
Arnold B. Sherman.
This masterful original composition is a true tour
de force for advanced ensembles. An ethereal
opening gives way to energetic, driving themes
that refuse to relent! A smoother middle section
gives a stylistic respite before the original
material returns con fuoco ("with fire") for a
powerful conclusion.
11595327 3-7 Octave Handbells . . . . .L5 5.95
Aurora
William A. Payn.
This amazing original composition is inspired
by the concept of light. The northern lights, or
the aurora borealis, are beautiful dancing waves
of light that transform the sky into a cinematic
drama that fascinates all who witness it. This
composition, with its unusual key signature and
ever-growing dramatic moments of intensity,
gives musical interpretation to an aurora's
display of brilliant lights that appear as curtains,
rays, spirals, or dynamic flickers covering the
entire sky. It was commissioned for the Bay
View Week of handbells.
11595298 5-7 Octave Handbells . . . .L4+ 6.50
Be All Merrie
A Celtic Frolic
Catherine McMichael.
This four-minute high-voltage romp employs
plenty of fast ringing, sonorous harmony,
multiple articulation techniques (often at
the same time), and unstoppable good
vibes (literally!) The Celtic flavor is tart and
cheery. Written to showcase the Charlotte
Bronze handbell ensemble, the piece was
commissioned to recognize the birthday of
one of CB's longest and liveliest donors,
nonagenarian Lavon Kendrick. Your bronze- or
almost bronze-level choir will frolic through this
one, and your listeners will be left breathless.
11595299 5-7 Octave Handbells . . . . L5- 5.95
Blue Skies
Irving Berlin/arr. Sondra K. Tucker.
Irving Berlin's classic is the perfect concert closer!
A few slow opening measures lead to the familiar
theme in swing style complete with walking bass
and drums. The middle scat section contains
some quotes from other famous songs. Your
audiences will love this jazz standard!
11594400 4-6 Octave Handbells
w/Bass and Drums . . . . . . .L4 5.95
The Cabaret Carnival
Kurt Meyer.
In this sequel to the amazing The Carousel
Funhouse (11522789) cabaret rhythm meets
Joplin rag and is thoroughly engaging, clever,
and beautifully crafted. Stopped sounds include
table mallet, mart, mart-lift and RT, all of which
should be executed cleanly and without too
much force so the music just dances along
somewhat like a child happily skipping through
a carnival. The addition of handchimes (5
octaves) with the occasional vibrato all add
to the magic. This music will fascinate your
audience and ringers are certain to enjoy
playing this delightful work!
11607448 5-7 Octave Handbells . . . .L4+ 6.25
Canticle for a Festival Day
Kevin McChesney.
A bright and, of course, festive choice from
a master handbell composer, this original
composition is challenging, engaging, and
sophisticated, making it a great choice for
advanced choirs and bronze-level festivals.
Shifting tonal centers are punctuated by marts
and staccatos, with meter shifts thrown in to keep
things interesting. 3 octaves optional handchimes.
11620251 3-6 Octave Handbells . . . . .L5 5.95
Carillon L'Arlesienne Ste. 1, Mvt. IV
Georges Bizet/arr. M. Thomas Blanton.
This masterful adaptation of a movement from
Bizet's 1872 orchestral work begins with a mart-
lift pattern of G#-E-F# scored in a separate
staff representing a carillon sounding its joyful
tones. Written in A-B-A form, the calm and
lyrical 'B' section contrasts in tone and color
with the exciting 'A' section. True to the original,
this adaptation adds to the classical repertoire
available to the advanced bell choir.
11607449 5-7 Octave Handbells . . . . .L4 6.25
A Carol of the Bells - with Attitude!
Ukrainian Bell Carol
arr. Patrick W. Meyer.
Just when we thought another setting of this
favorite Ukrainian carol wasn't possible, this
fresh arrangement has put that idea to rest!
The opening of rapid eighth-note whole-tone
ascending scales leads directly into the familiar
main theme and sets stage for what's to
come. The next section is an amazing swingin'
improv of the tune with multiple key changes
segueing into a Take Five rhythm. Words cannot
adequately describe the jazz improv that
reemerges with a straight-rhythm main theme
back again and swinging jazz to the end. This
will be a rhythmic challenge for even the most
accomplished groups - but well worth the effort!
11626191 5-6 Octave Handbells . . . . .L5 6.25
Celebration!
arr. Ron Mallory.
Get ready to party with Kool and the Gang! Perfect
for any occasion when you are looking to have a
good time, this arrangement is one big handbell
celebration! Optional 3-5 octave handchimes.
11596180 3-6 Octave Handbells . . . . .L4 7.00
11596181 Instrumental Parts Bass,
Drums, Synth or Piano . . . . . . 16.95
The Crucible
Caleb J. Onstead.
Receiving an Honorable Mention in the 2023
David Davidson Composition Contest, this thrilling
challenge takes ringers to new heights. Written
in two sections, ringers encounter mixed meter
and flurries of sixteenth notes in the Prelude,
while a spirited Toccata makes up the rest of the
work. Between bell changes, meter changes, and
numerous articulations and techniques as well
as employing the full eight octaves of handbells,
ringers will certainly be pushed to the melting
point playing this exciting composition!
11600222 5-8 Octave Handbells/
5-7 Oct. Handchimes . . . . .L6 6.25
Ready for a challenge? These selections are in the upper range of difficulty (Levels 4–6) but
are worthy of your attention either as a challenge piece for your intermediate choir or used
as the majority of your programming for an advanced choir. Concert originals, classical
arrangements, Christmas and holiday themes, popular and novelty pieces—enjoy browsing
these spectacular pieces.
