New Bell Tree Solo/Duets

[Barbara Brocker]

I’m not one for ads here but for those of you who are going to Pinnacle, thought you might like to check this out.  Jeffers has just published two more of my bell tree solo/duets, in time for Pinnacle. 

 

How Beautiful by Twila Paris is arranged as either a solo or a duet on one set of bells.

Be Thou My Vision is arranged as a solo.

 

Both have piano accompaniment, are for 3 or 4 octaves, and are in the medium range.

 

I have played both of them at weddings.  Be Thou My Vision was the processional with an “entrance for the bride” on the last verse.  How Beautiful was a request for the unity candle.  I’ve also played them for worship and they could be used in concert.

 

There are also more pieces for bell tree which are continually coming out.  Your vendor can help you.

 

I am missing seeing you at Pinnacle already.

 

Barb Brocker

 

 

[Long...@aol.com]

Congrats, Barb!!

 

To follow Barb's note - I love hearing about new belltree pieces here...if not here, then where?  and because they aren't always obvious - or being talked about by the "Big" groups - I'll do the same.

 

The first 2 are the ones I played in Cyprus last year for a wedding, carrying my bells in my carry-on bag (gate attendant - "Why is this bag so heavy?")

 

A Thankful Heart - A gentle, thoughtful piece that "breathes" with some mixed meter that feels very natural. Easy, easy to play as a solo - a little more challenging to coordinate with the optional piano accompaniment. It's scored for G5-G6 (my preferred range within 2 octaves) and C6-C7 (to fit the more standard set-up.) All scores included in one folio. RE5001

 

Trumpet Tune (attributed to Clarke) - the bright iconic opener you hear at weddings and  for preludes. It can be played as a med. difficult solo or an easier duet, also scored for G5-G6 and C6-C7. All scores included. RE5002 I recently played it with a trumpet playing the melodic line (I transposed the belltree to F to suit her better.)

 

and then there's Semper Paratus - the Coast Guard song - for full 3-5 oct. choir - there's an optional belltree/C insrtument part in the final refrain.  RE8003

 

Cool Cats - a cheeky little piece written as a trio/quartet - but the top 4iH position can also be played on belltree (also scored G5-G6 and C6-C7).

 

All are from ringTrue Handbell Music.

 

Have a great time at Pinnacle, everyone!! I'll miss you, too.

 

Kath Wissinger

[Dellinda Ebeling]

Hate that both of you will be missing...thanks for sharing about the new music!

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[Megan Reishus]

Recent bell tree releases from STEP:

Be Still My Soul (bell tree duet arr. Kimberly Braswell) - http://sonologymusic.com/musical-scores/be-still-my-soul-handbell-tree-duet

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (bell tree solo/duet arr. Blanche Marie Lewis) - http://sonologymusic.com/musical-scores/swing-low-sweet-chariot-handbell-tree-soloduet

Sussex Carol (bell tree solo with keyboard arr. Kevin McChesney/Megan Reishus) - http://sonologymusic.com/musical-scores/sussex-carol-handbell-tree-solo

Threads of Love (bell tree solo with keyboard arr. Megan Reishus (original by Lorie Line)) - http://sonologymusic.com/musical-scores/threads-love-handbell-tree-solo

I, too, am bummed to be missing Pinnacle. Just couldn't make it work!

Megan Reishus

[Linda Krantz]

I'm so sad that the 3 of you won't be at the one National I am actually getting to!  Next up on my belltree rehearsal schedule is McChesney's Toccata - I'm playing that at a wedding in October!

Linda Krantz
After silence, that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music.

[Barbara Brocker]

I’ve been thinking about bell trees in worship.  Actually, I’ve been trying to play them more this summer in worship to just learn more about what works and what doesn’t.  Here are some things I’ve learned:

 

I’ve learned that when playing along with hymns with a loud organ and piano, the bell tree can hardly be heard.  It hardly seemed worth it.  If I change to screamers (the mallets with the hard white plastic heads), I could probably be heard, but so far I hate to use those in worship.  Playing with more mellow hymns is really pleasant, and it adds a nice feel.

 

I thought that it would be a cinch to string up about three chords, one bell tree for each chord, and when the chord changes, change to the next bell tree string.  I worked it up for Balm in Gilead for one of our beginning bell tree ringers here, and she loved it!  She could play different rhythms and speeds on each string, then switch to the next string.  Her friends were in awe.  (She said it was our secret and to not tell….)  The problem was that with 14 hymns in one month, only one hymn (Gilead) had only three chords.  So back to the drawing board.

 

Anyway, I’ll continue to explore this idea, but I’m very interested in the topic.  Bell trees seem so suited for worship (don’t take up much space, can be played by one person, doesn’t require enormous bell choir rehearsal time, etc.).  But it doesn’t seem to be that simple. 

 

What experience have you had with playing bell trees in worship?  I would love to hear of what has worked and what hasn’t.

 

Barb

[Ann Habicht]

I understand the strings of chords, but would like to see a video of this in operation.  Then we'll need a list of hymns that would be appropriate.

Ann Habicht

---

From: Barbara Brocker <bfbfb...@gmail.com>
To: bellt...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2015 9:00 AM
Subject: [BT-L] Bell Trees in Worship

I’ve been thinking about bell trees in worship.  Actually, I’ve been trying to play them more this summer in worship to just learn more about what works and what doesn’t.  Here are some things I’ve learned:

 

I’ve learned that when playing along with hymns with a loud organ and piano, the bell tree can hardly be heard.  It hardly seemed worth it.  If I change to screamers (the mallets with the hard white plastic heads), I could probably be heard, but so far I hate to use those in worship.  Playing with more mellow hymns is really pleasant, and it adds a nice feel.

 

I thought that it would be a cinch to string up about three chords, one bell tree for each chord, and when the chord changes, change to the next bell tree string.  I worked it up for Balm in Gilead for one of our beginning bell tree ringers here, and she loved it!  She could play different rhythms and speeds on each string, then switch to the next string.  Her friends were in awe.  (She said it was our secret and to not tell….)  The problem was that with 14 hymns in one month, only one hymn ( Gilead ) had only three chords.  So back to the drawing board.

 

Anyway, I’ll continue to explore this idea, but I’m very interested in the topic.  Bell trees seem so suited for worship (don’t take up much space, can be played by one person, doesn’t require enormous bell choir rehearsal time, etc.).  But it doesn’t seem to be that simple. 

 

What experience have you had with playing bell trees in worship?  I would love to hear of what has worked and what hasn’t.

 

Barb

[Merry Lloyd]

I think I might have mentioned what I did for Easter a year ago...could be done for any Occasion with a little thought and time going thru the hymnal....I strung together about 8 songs, just a few lines of each.  For Easter tried to do 'the whole story'  beginning with O Come, O Come Emanuel, Joy to the World - a couple that exemplified Chris'ts teachings (can't recall all the tunes" and ended with Jesus Christ is Risen Today.....I did it as an introit and it was very effective and I had many compliments

.( I did this at a workshop and it totally fell apart.  I was using new and unfamiliar bells, and different mallets than I was used to using - and the 'audience being ALL bell people totally freaked me out). 

   I did a similar one for a Christmas eve service a year earlier (different church) and that was just several Christmas tunes, ending with Silent Night...centering music.

Another wonderful application is to do part of a regular bell piece on a tree.   Any one of these ideas will give the congregation a feel for the tree so that when it is added as discant etc to hymns they are 'tuned in to hearing the tree'.

the 3 cents worth...

merry

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Merry Lloyd
Columbia River Handbells

When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.  If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.     Techumseh (1758-1813). Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living.

http://merry.97048.info

[Marguerite Moore]

I played the bell tree recently for communion.  I picked appropriated hymns, played one stanza of each before moving on the next hymn.  This seems to work and I can adjust the timing for when the passing of the elements is finished.

As far as being able to hear the bells with piano and organ, we have a wonderful sound man that puts a microphone in front of the bells so that they can be heard along with the instruments and the singing.

 

Marguerite

---

From: "Barbara Brocker" <bfbfb...@gmail.com>
To: bellt...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2015 6:00:35 AM

Subject: [BT-L] Bell Trees in Worship

[dpin...@aol.com]

Goo job, Marguerite and Barb!
Try having your organist soften down on the middle verses of a hymn.
Try having her/him play only the bass clef part on one verse. Of
course when the full bell choir is playing, have the organ drop out
completely on one verse of a hymn. We do this as a standard procedure
when choir/bells and congregation are singing a hymn.
If you have the Methodist Supplemental Hymnal, or similar things
from other congregations, there are some rounds in there that sound
great with several strands of bells/ several players, playing them in
simple "round" fashion.
682 All Praise to Thee, My God, this night
376 Dona Nobis Pacem
72 Gloria, Gloria
665 Go Now in Peace
207 Prepare the way of the Lord

Happy Ringing! Dave Pinkerton, Troy, OH
.

-----Original Message-----
From: Marguerite Moore <mgcm...@comcast.net>
To: Group, BellTree-l <bellt...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Jul 12, 2015 4:35 pm
Subject: Re: [BT-L] Bell Trees in Worship

I played the bell tree recently for communion.  I picked appropriated
hymns, played one stanza of each before moving on the next hymn.  This
seems to work and I can adjust the timing for when the passing of the
elements is finished.

As far as being able to hear the bells with piano and organ, we have a
wonderful sound man that puts a microphone in front of the bells so
that they can be heard along with the instruments and the singing.
 
Marguerite

[dpin...@aol.com]

As an addition to the email I just sent to you all, suggesting "rounds"
using several strands:'
1. You can hang the several strands from one bell tree and have two
or three people standing around it, or, use more than one tree. (Build
your own out of a 4x4 post. Much cheaper than the purchased bell tree.)
Then, place the different trees in different corners of the church.
Great sound!!!
2. Your players may have to practice the above for several weeks.
Being separated throws a lot of people, even experienced ringers
sometimes. The first week, don't split up the trees. Have the ringers
and players in one spot, one room, to start with. Them separate them
around the sanctuary as they get the hang (pun intended) of it all.
Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: Ann Habicht <ahab...@rocketmail.com>
To: belltree-l <bellt...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Jul 12, 2015 9:51 am
Subject: Re: [BT-L] Bell Trees in Worship

I understand the strings of chords, but would like to see a video of
this in operation.  Then we'll need a list of hymns that would be
appropriate.


Ann Habicht

From: Barbara Brocker &lt;bfbfb...@gmail.com&gt;

To: bellt...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2015 9:00 AM
Subject: [BT-L] Bell Trees in Worship

I’ve been thinking about bell treesin worship.  Actually, I’ve been
trying to play them more thissummer in worship to just learn more about

what works and what doesn’t. Here are some things I’ve learned:
 

I’ve learned that when playing alongwith hymns with a loud organ and
piano, the bell tree can hardly beheard.  It hardly seemed worth it. 
If I change to screamers (themallets with the hard white plastic
heads), I could probably be heard, but sofar I hate to use those in
worship.  Playing with more mellow hymns isreally pleasant, and it adds
a nice feel.
 
I thought that it would be a cinch tostring up about three chords, one
bell tree for each chord, and when the chordchanges, change to the next

bell tree string.  I worked it up for Balm in Gilead for one of our

beginning bell tree ringers here,and she loved it!  She could play
different rhythms and speeds on eachstring, then switch to the next

string.  Her friends were in awe. (She said it was our secret and to

not tell….)  The problem was thatwith 14 hymns in one month, only one
hymn ( Gilead )had only three chords.  So back to the drawing board.
 
Anyway, I’ll continue to explorethis idea, but I’m very interested in
the topic.  Bell trees seem so suited for worship(don’t take up much
space, can be played by one person, doesn’trequire enormous bell choir
rehearsal time, etc.).  But it doesn’tseem to be that simple. 
 
What experience have you had with playingbell trees in worship?  I
would love to hear of what has worked and whathasn’t.

[kathy...@yahoo.com]

I have been playing duets with my bell choir partner and throwing in some hymns with me on the bell tree and my partner on chimes.  We are miked and play along with the piano and sometimes with the congregation singing. I am very excited about the new bell tree music.  We need more!

[Barbara Brocker]

Great ideas – keep ‘em coming!

bb