NEW
Downloadable Handbell arrangements

for 2 or 3 octave handbells choirs
Arranged by Linda McKechnie ASCAP

These arrangements are designed to be played with two or three octave handbells with the following goals:

-Arrangements are musically creative and fun for both two or three octave choirs and give the ringers confidence in the learning process.

-The arrangements have been carefully crafted to keep in mind each ringer, making sure that the very high and low notes have importance as the middle range.

-If the ringers are non-music readers, such as the community of Functionally challenged or the elderly with some memory loss, these arrangements can be transcribed into a digital colored coded letter system

-*Some arrangements have words and chord symbols for additional use of the music

-There is a minimum order of 6 copies. Additional copies can be ordered. A download is immediately available after purchase.

-Since these arrangements are newly published (November 2020), send questions or comments to Linda@lindamckechnie.com. Future plans are to publish these arrangements in book form with additional exercises and educational material for the beginning choir or include instructions to transcribe them into a digital colored coded letter system.

LEVEL #1- beginning

Includes whole notes, half notes, quarter notes and introductory techniques. There no accidentals or bell changes.

Round for ALL - 2 or 3 octave choir

4 different entries of 6 measures each- cumulating in a full blend of notes. This is an exercise in listening to each other as additional notes enter and successfully conclude

TITLE - Round for ALL
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($3.00 each- minimum order 6 copies- additional copies can be ordered)

LEVEL #2-easy

Includes all note values from Level 1 plus a few accidentals, one key change, and several eighth notes.  *arrangements have words and chord symbols for additional use of the music

*Away in a Manger with Silent Night - 2 or 3 octave choir

This lovely arrangement combines 2 favorite Christmas lullabies.

TITLE - Away in a Manger with Silent Night
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($4.00 each- minimum order 6 copies - additional copies can be ordered)

*We Wish you a Merry Christmas-2 or 3 octave choir

This makes a great ending for a Christmas concert or gathering. People will want to sing along and enjoy the big ending with loud shakes!

TITLE - We Wish you a Merry Christmas
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($3.50 each- minimum order 6 copies - additional copies can be ordered)

Chopsticks - 2 or 3 octave choir

This arrangement warrants some surprises! Starting in ¾ time with malleted bells on table, the melody takes over in the bass clef in measure #16. On the second time, a “boogie-woogie” style enters with a change in key and meter, faster pace, and marted chords. The final version goes back to the ¾ time, followed by a “boogie-woogie” ending. Lots of variety in bell techniques!!  

TITLE - Chopsticks
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($4.50 each- minimum order 6 copies - additional copies can be ordered)

*This Little Light of Mine - 2 or 3 octave choir

With a few eighth notes throughout, this arrangement can easily be performed with a group that wants a piece that is enjoyable but not too challenging. Sing along too!

TITLE - This Little Light of Mine
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($3.50 each- minimum order 6 copies - additional copies can be ordered)

*Take Me Out to the Ballgame-2 or 3 octave choir

Expect to have some fun with malleted bells on table, shakes, Ring touch, and mart.

Sing along with the words included!

TITLE - Take Me Out to the Ballgame
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($4.00 each- minimum order 6 copies - additional copies can be ordered)

Finlandia-2 or 3 octave choir

A bold arrangement with full chords and dynamics incorporating shakes, mart lift and key change 

TITLE - Finlandia
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($3.50 each- minimum order 6 copies - additional copies can be ordered)

LEVEL #2 medium difficulty

Includes all note values from Level 1 plus dotted quarter notes, eighth notes, accidentals, time signature, and key change, and a variety of techniques.  *arrangements have words and chord symbols for additional use of the music

*Christmas Medley- 2 or 3 octave choir  O Come all Ye Faithful and Angels We Have Heard on High
An arrangement that is easy to perform BUT does not sound easy. Sing along with the words included!

TITLE - Christmas Medley
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($4.50 each- minimum order 6 copies - additional copies can be ordered)

French Caroling- Bring a Torch, Pap-a-pan, He is Born- 2 or 3 octave choir

All these French carols are “dance like”- starting simply with the same rhymical pattern of half note and quarter note…then immediately moving into a “waltz feel”. The key change to C minor in Pap-a-pan is a welcomed change but does not last long….as it goes into a major key and a VERY happy ending with marts and shakes!!

TITLE - French Caroling
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($4.50 each- minimum order 6 copies - additional copies can be ordered)

Chorale - 2 or 3 octave choir

For some reason, the title does not hint to the presentation of this piece. This is more like a joyous processional!  Perhaps it is the dotted quarter and eighth notes that give it a lilt. Perhaps the modulation up to the next key helps too with plenty of bell techniques!

TITLE - Chorale
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($3.50 each- minimum order 6 copies - additional copies can be ordered)

LEVEL 2+ difficulty

Includes all from LEVEL 2 with a “special practice spot for learning”
*arrangements have words and chord symbols for additional use of the music

*Jingle Bells -2 or 3 octave choir

This is not the usual, predictable arrangement- although the quarter and half notes simplify the beginning section and give the ringers more freedom to sing along. However, at measure 68, the “jingle bells” get jazzy!

There are 4 measures from there to the end which are a big surprise and will need a “special practice spot for learning”!! The good news is – if you master one, you have mastered all 4 since they repeat. It will be worth the effort to get in all the accidentals and mart lift techniques!!

TITLE - Jingle Bells
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($4.50 each- minimum order 6 copies - additional copies can be ordered)

*Jolly Old Saint Nicholas-Up on the House Top -2 or 3 octave choir

The first 36 measures are very straight forward using quarter, half, and whole notes. Enjoy singing along too! Then in measure 37, the arrangement opens up in the upper treble part….as if Santa is shaking jingle bells. The eighth note clusters may be a little challenging- but worth the “special practice spot for learning”!

TITLE - Jolly Old saint Nicholas-Up on the House Top
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($4.00 each- minimum order 6 copies - additional copies can be ordered)