Handbell Music

Published by Linda McKechnie

Check the OVERVIEW under Published Music to listen to samples of arrangements, recordings, and view information on other published music options.

Handbells Alone | Handbells Solo & Keyboard
Beginning Ringer | Handbells, Various Options & Orchestra
Handbells, Keyboard & Optional Brass and/or Voices

NEW!! Rousing, Patriotic arrangement of AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL                        Includes 3-5 octave handbells, 6 optional Handchimes, with Piano accompaniment with optional Synthesizer, 2 optional Bb Trumpets. A 4-part choir arrangement is available separately.

Music Sample of Full Score

Order at https://www.celebrating-grace.com/260616.html

Music Sample of optional 4-part choir part
Order and Download 25 copies or more for $25

Please note, individual choirs participating in festivals or with other choirs must purchase their own copy of the choir part.

Please note the addition of "DOWNLOADABLE HANDBELL ARRANGEMENTS" in the above menu bar. These arrangements are designed for 2 or 3 octave handbell choirs for level #1+-2+. You will be able to view the entire arrangement and order from this sight. These are musically creative, giving the ringers confidence and delighting the listener.

Overview

Linda McKechnie is well known for her significant contribution to the art of handbell ringing. She served the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers as the fourteenth President from 1987-1989.

The music of Linda McKechnie has reached thousands of people through her 50 handbell titles and over 80 piano published arrangements with organ, solo instruments, and orchestra. Linda’s Published handbell music covers a wide spectrum, from Music for the First Time (a method book for beginning ringers) to arrangements ranging from easy to difficult levels for 3-6 octave handbells. Many incorporate other instruments such as brass quintet, timpani, keyboard, treble solo instruments, and most recently full orchestra accompaniment. Recently, she was commissioned to write for handbells and a big band!

As a volunteer, Linda has a compassionate heart to make a difference in the lives of the functionally disabled, underprivileged, and the elderly. Realizing that her music is therapeutic and heals the spirit, Linda has been involved in the Junior League Singers, performing at assisted living and community centers. Presently, Linda is involved in helping Brookwood, a community for functionally disabled adults, to form a handbell/handchime program, to teach them music skills and build their confidence to perform in the Houston area.

Linda and her husband, David, have initiated the D. Linda McKechnie Handbell Musicians of America Scholarship to help fund opportunities for educators in the field of the Special Needs Community and elementary education with handchimes and handbells.

Linda’s arrangements for handbells and orchestra have been performed by major symphonies to include the Detroit Symphony, Orlando Symphony, and Charlotte Symphony. During Christmas 2003, the Boston Pops and the Ring of Fire handbell group performed Linda’s arrangement, We Three Kings with Farandole from L’Arlesienne.

As a Steinway Artist and prolific publisher and arranger of handbell and keyboard music, she continues to be a recipient of the ASCAP special awards. Linda was named “2002 Composer of the Year” by Jeffers Handbell Supply.

Linda maintains a heavy schedule throughout the world as a concert pianist and recording artist. Her recordings, with a signature style of blending classical themes with Christian music, remain very popular in the Christian instrumental division: Hymnworks I and II, Hymnworks Christmas, Symphony of Praise I and II, A World of Praise, Rhapsody of Love, Rhapsody of Christmas I and II, Reflections and Worship Collage. Moments With the Savior, recorded with the London Festival Orchestra, received a 2000 Dove Nomination.

Through her published and recorded music, Linda endeavors to bring joy to people’s lives in a refreshing and new way.

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                                  Handbells Alone with options

listen to sample performance- highlighted titles

Order handbell music from publisher. Information is available below

Click to Listen A Ringing Christmas, Alfred Publishing, 3-5 oct #17542 (bells only)

Click to Listen Blessed Assurance, Hope Publishing, 3-5 oct #l388, optional bass/keyboard accompaniment #1388K

Carols of Christmas: Hark the Herald Angels Sing/It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,            3 oct Composers Music Co. #HP066l handbell music #XP0662, optional piano/harp

Christmas Bells Unending: Deck the Halls, The First Noel,                                                    2 oct book and 3-5 oct book, Fred Bock Publishing

Click to Listen Christmas Tapestry, original melody woven with Deck the Halls, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, and Gloria in Excelsis) 3-5 octave bells, Jeffers Publishing 2006

Ezekiel Saw the Wheel, Jeffers Music, 3-5 oct with optional narration, keyboard, bass, and percussion; full score RW8110FS, RW8110 (bells only)

Click to Listen He Is Exalted, Hope Publishing, 3-5 oct #2113

Click to Listen Lord I Lift Your Name on High, Hope Publishing, 3-5 oct #1977

Click to Listen March (by Bach), Composers Music, 3 oct BPO775 (bells only)

Click to Listen Medley of Praise (The Church’s One Foundation with To God Be the Glory), AGEHR Publishing 2008, 3-5 oct bells with optional 2 oct hand chimes and/or C treble instrument

Click to Listen Resounding Alleluias, Choristers Guild Publishing, handbells (3, 4, 5 octs) #CGB559 with optional organ keyboard and optional Bb or C treble instrument and SATB choir #CGA1141

Click to Listen Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us, Hope Publishing 3 oct #l3l0 4-5 oct #l335 (bells only)

Click to Listen Simple Gifts, AGEHR, 3-4 oct AG34018-3 and 5-6 oct (bells only)

Click to Listen Spanish Song (Come Christians Join to Sing),  3-6 oct #2229, optional percussion, guitar and bass, #2229P

What Child Is This?, 3 oct Composers Music for advanced/beginner or intermediate choir #BP055l, handbell music #XP0552, optional piano/harp accompaniment

When Morning Gilds the Skies, Hope Publishing, 3-5 oct #l528 (bells only)

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                                    Handbell Solo & Keyboard

Come, All Ye Shepherds/The First Noel,                                                                                         

AGEHR Publishing, arr. Malia Johnson/D.Linda McKechnie

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Please note the addition of "DOWNLOADABLE HANDBELL ARRANGEMENTS" in the above menu bar. These arrangements are designed for 2 or 3 octave handbell choirs for level #1+-2+. You will be able to view the entire arrangement and order from this sight. These are musically creative, giving the ringers confidence and delighting the listener.

                                       Beginning Ringer

Order handbell music from publisher. Information is available below

Music for the Beginning Handbell Choir, 3 oct Chorister Guild #CGB57                                 (book of 3 selections plus rehearsal notes, hymn tunes)                                                          Music from the above book available separately: 
     #CGB90 Come Christians, Join to Sing
     #CGB91 Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
     #CGB92 Lead On O King Eternal

Ringing for the First Time, 3 oct Flammer Publishing #HP5232
A method book for the beginning handbell ringer with exercises and bell techniques along with 13 music selections for class, worship service, or festival: German Folk Song, Jubilate Procession, Thanksgiving Celebration, Jacobs Ladder, Peace, Variations on a French Tune, Bell Round, Over the River and Through the Woods, Christmas Medley, Sarasponda, Creation, Faith of Our Fathers, If You’re Happy and You Know It #HP5233; Director’s Supplement #NC5039, recording of all music

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                        Handbells, Various Options & Orchestra

-Listen to sample performance originally recorded with piano and orchestra and now transcribed for handbells and orchestra

-Listen to sample performance with handbells and orchestra, flute or organ

-Please note: with some titles, the handbell music must be ordered directly from the publisher. However, with other titles, handbell music is included in the cost of the arrangement, with permission to make multiple copies.

-Included in the orchestration is a conductor’s score and one copy of individual parts. Permission is given to make multiple copies of individual parts.

-These arrangements can also be performed with piano and orchestra. View under "piano and orchestra"- under Published music

-Arrangements are recorded on Hymnworks Christmas and Rhapsody of Christmas II and may be purchased under "CDs"

Scored for: full strings, 2(1) Flute, 2(1) Oboe, 2(1) Clarinet, 2(1) Bassoon, 3(2) Trumpets, 3(2 )Horns, 3(2) Trombones, 1 Tuba, Harp, 2 Percussion

3:55 Go Tell It on the Mountain and He Is Born with Troika by Prokofiev
Use with handbell music, Hope Publishing 3-6 oct bells #1922, full score
for handbell director #1924

Listen to handbell recording
Listen to piano and orchestra as recorded on Hymnworks Christmas
Order and download one copy of the Orchestration for $40


2:02 Joy to the World with Psalm 19 by Marcello
Use with handbell music, Hope Publishing 3-5 oct bells #2051, full score
for handbell director #2058

Listen to handbell recording
Listen to piano and orchestra as recorded on Hymnworks Christmas
Order and download one copy of the Orchestration for $40


2:45 We Three Kings with Farandole from L’Arlesienne Suite #2 by Bizet
Use with handbell music, Hope Publishing 3-5 oct bells #2052, full score
for handbell director #2059

Listen to handbell recording
Listen to piano and orchestra as recorded on Hymnworks Christmas
Order and download one copy of the Orchestration for $40

WATCH VIDEO PERFORMANCE OF THE BOSTON POPS WITH THE RING OF FIRE HANDBELL CHOIR- WE THREE KINGS” WITH FARANDOLE arr. Linda McKechnie

2:32 A Ringing Christmas, Ring Christmas Bells, Ukranian carol with
Sing We Now of Christmas, French carol

Use with handbell music, Alfred Publishing #17542 for 3-5 octave handbells                        Listen to handbell recording
Listen to piano from handbell arrangement with full orchestra
           as recorded on Rhapsody of Christmas II
Order and download one copy of the Orchestration for $40

2:10 Click to Listen Angels from the Realms of Glory with March from Nutcracker Suite
by Tchaikovsky recording is performed with piano and orchestra
This NEW arrangement from Rhapsody of Christmas II may be
performed with 3-5 octave handbells and full orchestra.                                                     Handbell music is included with Conductors score and individual parts.
Order and download one copy of the Orchestration for $40

2:14 Click to Listen He Is Born with Dance of the Reed Flutes from Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky recording is performed with piano and orchestra
This NEW arrangement from Rhapsody of Christmas II may be performed with 3-5 octave handbells and full orchestra.
Handbell music is included with Conductors score and individual parts.
Order and download one copy of the Orchestration for $40

2:28 Click to Listen Here We Come A-Caroling with Rondo by John Bull
Please note: there are no trumpet, trombone, french horn, and tuba parts written. This NEW arrangement from Rhapsody of Christmas II may be performed with 3-5 octave handbells and full orchestra.
Handbell music is included with Conductors score and individual parts.  recording is performed with piano and orchestra
Order and download one copy of the Orchestration for $40

3:26 Simple Gifts, Shaker tune
Use with handbell music #AG34018-3 published by the
American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc. for 3-5 octave handbells;

Click to Listen to piano (from handbell arrangement) with full orchestra as recorded
       on Rhapsody of Christmas II
Order and download one copy of the Orchestration for $40


Scored for: full strings, 2(1) Flute, 2(1) Oboe, 2(1) Clarinet, 2(1) Bassoon, 2 Horns, 2 Trombones, Harp, 2 Percussion

3:11 O Come All Ye Faithful with Sheep May Safely Graze by Bach
Use with handbell music, Hope Publishing, 3-6 oct bells #1921, full score
for handbell #1923

Listen to handbell recording
Listen to piano and orchestra as recorded on Hymnworks Christmas
Order and download one copy of the Orchestration for $30


4:42 O Holy Night with Gesu Bambino
Use with handbell music, Hope Publishing, 3-5 oct bells #2108, full score
for handbell director #2109

Listen to handbell recording
Listen to piano and orchestra as recorded on Hymnworks Christmas
Order and download one copy of the Orchestration for $30


3:46 Shine Jesus Shine
Use with handbell music (#2224) Hope Publishing, 3-5 oct bells
This arrangement may be performed with handbells and small orchestra
Listen to handbell recording
Listen to piano (from handbell arrangement) with full orchestra as recorded
            on Moments With the Savior
Order and download one copy of the Orchestration for $30


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                 Handbells, Keyboard & Optional Brass and/or Voices

Please note: The basic format of the following arrangements uses bells with keyboard accompaniment. If there is an instrumental part, which is separately noted from brass parts, the instrument(s) may be added to the bells and keyboard. However, the brass choir is a substitution for the keyboard part and is not designed to be played with the keyboard.         Brass choir combination: 2 trumpets, 1 horn,1 trombone, 1 tuba.

All Hail the Power of Jesus Name (Coronation), Flammer Publishing, 3-5 oct (6 in pack) #HL5318, keyboard/conductor score #5319

Amazing Grace, Jeffers Music, 3-5 oct #JHS9101FS keyboard, optional brass

Angels From the Realms of Glory, Flammer Publishing, 3-5 oct bells (6 in pack) #HP5304, keyboard/conductor score #HP5305, brass parts #LB5246 (instead of keyboard)

Crown Him With Many Crowns, Jeffers Publishing, 3-5 oct #8806 keyboard/conductor score #8806FS, brass parts #8806B (instead of keyboard)

Click to Listen Festive Praise “St. Anne”, Hope Publishing, 3-5 oct, organ with optional trumpet #2237, full score optional brass quintet #2238

Click to Listen Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken, Flammer Publishing, 3-5 oct (6 in pack) #HP5137, keyboard/conductor score #HP5l38, with trumpet or French horn solo #HP5l30, or brass parts #LB5095 (instead of keyboard

How Firm a Foundation, Flammer Publishing, 3-5 oct (6 in a pack) #HP5240, keyboard/conductor score #HP524l, with optional trumpet or French Horn #HP5242, brass parts #LB5152 (instead of keyboard and trumpet)

Click to Listen I Love to Tell the Story, Hope Publishing, 3-5 oct #l239, keyboard/conductor score #1240, with optional trumpet #1240, brass parts #1240B (instead of keyboard and trumpet)

Click to Listen I Sing the Almighty Power of God (Forest Green tune) with The Rejoicing
by Handel, 3-5 oct and C treble instrument with optional keyboard, Jeffers Publishing, 2006

Processionals Plus, Jeffers Publishing, full score #S9070FS, bell trees and processionals with keyboard accompaniment #9070HB with hymn tunes: Llanfair, Hyfrydol, Joy to the World

Click to Listen Medley of Praise (The Church’s One Foundation with To God Be the Glory), AGEHR Publishing 2008, 3-5 oct bells with optional 2 oct hand chimes and/or C treble instrument

Click to Listen Morning Has Broken, Flammer Publishing, 3-5 oct #HP5191 with keyboard or harp

O God Our Help, Genevox Music, 3-5 oct, keyboard, and optional trumpet

Click to Listen Resounding Alleluias, Choristers Guild Publishing, handbells (3, 4, 5 octs) #CGB559 and organ keyboard with optional Bb or C treble instrument and SATB choir #CGA1141

Click to Listen Shine Jesus Shine, Hope Publishing, 3-5 oct, optional flute

Click to Listen The Lord Is My Light, 3-5 oct with optional keyboard, brass quintet, vocal choir; arrangement out of print, to order at a discounted price, e-mail Linda

Click to Listen This Is My Father’s World, Flammer Publishing, 3-5 oct (6 in a pack) #HP5l65, keyboard/conductor score #HP5166, brass parts #LB5093 (instead of keyboard)

Click to Listen Angels From the Realms of Glory with March from Nutcracker Suite
by Tchaikovsky recording is performed with piano and orchestra
This NEW arrangement from Rhapsody of Christmas II may be performed with handbells (3-5 octaves) and keyboard.  
This arrangement includes handbell music with keyboard accompaniment.  
Order and download one copy of handbell and keyboard music for $15

Click to Listen He Is Born with Dance of the Reed Flutes from Nutcracker Suite
by Tchaikovsky recording is performed with piano and orchestra
This NEW arrangement from Rhapsody of Christmas II may be performed with handbells (3-5 octaves), keyboard and optional treble instrument (flute/violin). 
This arrangement includes permission to make 10 copies of the handbell music @ $3 each, one copy of the FULL score with handbell and treble C instrument @ $5, one copy of separate treble C instrument part @ $2, and one copy of separate optional organ/keyboard addition @ $5 TOTAL cost- $42
Order and download
Music Sample of the Full Score

Click to Listen Here We Come A-Caroling with Rondo by Bull

This NEW arrangement from Rhapsody of Christmas II may be performed with handbells (3-5 octaves) and keyboard.
This arrangement includes handbell music with keyboard accompaniment.   
Order and download one copy of handbell and keyboard music for $15

Linda McKechnie | Pianist & Song Composer - Charlotte NC

A Word from Linda

I sincerely hope that as you progress through this website, I may reflect a strong witness to my Christian faith and be an encouragement to you through my recordings on CD, or through the keyboard music and orchestrations that are now available from these recordings for you to perform.

About Linda

Linda grew up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, in a very musical family and started playing the piano at the age of four. As a 2nd grader, Linda remembers accompanying her 2nd grade class for their Christmas program. Unusual as it might seem, she loved to practice, play by ear, compose her own melodies, and had a real passion to express her young Christian faith through the hymns and choruses of the church.
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© Linda McKechnie 2019. All Rights Reserved.