Christmas pieces with full orchestra

[Stafford Handbells]

I am SURE this had been discussed -- and I did try searching the
archives, but I can't quite figure out how that works, so please feel
free to email me off list if it seems redundant.

Our advanced student ensemble has been invited to perform with out
local community orchestra for their Christmas 2011 concert season. I
need to give both our conductor and their conductor a few pieces to
choose from. Ideally, the piece selected should be secular or
classical and not sacred, although that's not absolutley necessary.
We need a piece for 5 octaves of bells (it would be amazing if it
could be played off the table, but we can work around that) with full
orchestration. I am familiar with Linda McKechnie's arrangements, and
we're looking at a couple of them, but if anyone has another
suggestion, I'd appreciate it. I tried a music-search at Jeffers, but
came up with limited options when i selected 5 octaves and Full
Orchestra. I know Susan Nelson mentioned she had some pieces in an
earlier post. I'd be interested in looking at anything else.

Thanks in advance,

Neesa Hart

[Merry Lloyd]

and please put those on-line....thanx
merry

--
Post: handb...@googlegroups.com
Subscribe: handbell-l...@googlegroups.com
Unsubscribe: handbell-l+...@googlegroups.com
Digest: e-mail mdp...@gmail.com with subject line "Digest-L"

--
Merry Lloyd
Columbia River Handbells

[linda mckechnie]

I have several NEW orchestrations (FULL orchestra) for 2 published pieces:

Simple Gifts (AGEHR)

A Ringing Christmas (Alfred)

The orchestrations are available from my website- handbell music should be ordered from publisher.

You can listen to the arrangement (MP4)- for piano and orchestra (piano part is a transcription from the handbell score)

Hope this is helpful- Linda
 

Linda McKechnie

www.lindamckechnie.com

713-722-0808

---

From: Merry Lloyd <me...@clear-lake.com>
To: handb...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Sat, April 23, 2011 1:16:05 PM
Subject: Re: [HB-L] Christmas pieces with full orchestra

[Susan T. Nelson]

Neesa Hart wrote:

<< Our advanced student ensemble has been invited to perform with out
local community orchestra for their Christmas 2011 concert season.  >>

Congratulations, that's great!!

<<snip>>

<< I know Susan Nelson mentioned she had some pieces in an

earlier post.  I'd be interested in looking at anything else. >>

My pieces are for string orchestra, not full orch like Linda McKechnie's, but here they are:

"Dances from the Terpsichore" (Praetorius)  Contains 7 pieces -  all are for 2-5 oct. with optional string orchestra or quartet, and recorder consort.  A solo C instrument can be used in lieu of the quartets.  A “Tenor 2” part is included for groups that do not own a bass recorder (they're expensive).  Some selections have optional chimes and percussion.  All instrumental parts are included and permission is granted to photocopy the handbell scores and instrumental parts, making it a pretty good deal at $29.95 for the set.  Although they are duplicating masters, they are printed on quality 11 x 17 paper, like standard sheet music. From the Top Publishing #20198.

Nowell Sing We. 3-5 oct. with optional 3-4 oct. chimes GIA #G-6366; SATB choir #G-6367; string orchestra or quartet,  #G-6367INST-A (includes full score); recorder quartet #G-6367INST-B (includes full score). 

Psallite (Praetorius). 3-5 oct./opt. 2 oct. chimes, string orchestra or quartet, recorder quartet. GIA #G-6341.  Compatible with most of the choral transcriptions published, including GIA #G-2136 SATB choir anthem.  

The only other secular things I have with string orchestra besides the Terpsichore are some madrigals, so they probably wouldn't work for Christmas. 

Thanks for asking!

Sue

[Jason Tiller]

Hi, Neesa, :)

On Sat, 23 Apr 2011, Stafford Handbells wrote:

> I am SURE this had been discussed -- and I did try searching the
> archives, but I can't quite figure out how that works, so please
> feel free to email me off list if it seems redundant.

> Our advanced student ensemble has been invited to perform with out
> local community orchestra for their Christmas 2011 concert season.

You came to the right place. :) There are a *number* of pieces for
bells/orchestra and/or chorus. I will comment on the ones I've
personally played or heard. This list is excerpted from a larger
"bells & orchestra" list that I maintain.

(The "numbers" or codes listed are the publishers'.)

Angels and Bells, Gary Fry
Includes First Noel, Carol of the Bells, and Angels We Have Heard
on High. Contact Christopher Nabors, ctna...@castofbronze.com.

Bellsong Fantasy Wasson
Played by the Dallas Handbell Ensemble with the Dallas Symphony on
one of their Christmas CDs.

Carol of the Bells Morden
(This might be a duplicate of "The Ukrainian Bell Carol.")

Carol of the Bells, McChesney, Lorenz

Carols and Bells I, David M. Bridges
Carol of the Bells, I Heard the Bells, Ding Dong Merrily

David M. Bridges <dbri...@frank.mtsu.edu> says:
The arrangement is for woodwinds in pairs, four horns,2 trumpets,two
trombones, tuba, timpani and one other percussionist, strings and 5
octave handbells (can be adapted).

A Christmas Fantasy #982944 E

the Christmas Light #4947 E

Christmas Suite, William G. Ludtke
Bells, orchestra, chorus
Contact: James Meredith <j...@sonos.org>

Christmas Tidings, James Meredith
Contact: James Meredith <j...@sonos.org>
JT: Very nice. Clarinet solo, handbells, and chamber ensemble

Coventry Carol, Bartsch HB319 EM
JT: Collection of "Bartsch" carols - well done.

Gloria in Excelsis, (Bartsch?)
Carol Kelly <carol...@aol.com> says:
We have also done a couple of great pieces put out by National -- one
of them is "Tannenbaum" (absolutely beautiful)-- very nice -- and
the other is "Gloria in Excelsis" (also quite beautiful). This last
one I am not sure if it is available -- we got permission to copy for
our orchestra and bells from the manuscript.

God Rest Ye Merry, Bartsch HB304 EM

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, arr. McChesney
Kevin says: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen in 7/8. This
orchestration uses the bell score that Jeffers has published for
bells alone. That is, you can play this piece on bells alone or add
these orchestrations.

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, arr. Prins
String orchestra & bells. Contact Matthew Prins,
mdp...@yahoo.com.

Glories Ring, Steven Amundson
Amundson is an instrumental director at St. Olaf's College and has
produced a number of orchestra/bells works for their annual PBS
broadcasts.

Hark, Christmas Bells, John Behnke - Level 4, AG36037
Orchestration is arr. Chris Sharp. Lorenz, 30/2405AG.
Orchestration commissioned by St. Luke's UMC, Orlando, FL.

Hymns of Christmas 1473 EM

It came upon a Midnight Clear, Bartsch HB303 M

Joy in the Morning, arr. M.L. Thompson, Hope Publishing
Compatible with SATB congregation or SAB anthem, includes brass or
full orchestra.

Joy to the World, Bartsch S9007 EM 2
Joy to the World (2nd page of info) S9007B EM 2

Joy to the World (with Marcello's "Psalm 19"), McKechnie, 2051, M 3+

Joyous Noel, Steve Amundson, 5 octs., level 4

Jill Mahr (tjm...@rconnect.com), director of bells at St. Olaf's,
says:

At the St. Olaf Christmas Festival this year one of my handbells
choirs had the privilege of premiering a fantstic new work by our
orchestra director Steven Amundson, for handbells and orchestra
called Joyous Noel. It is scored for 5 octave handbell choir with
either symphony or chamber orchestra (reduced winds and smaller
string section). It is a light carol, fast in tempo, flashy for
the bells, exhuberant and scored well for the orchestra so it
doesn't overpower. There are hardly any bell changes as we needed
to do this without tables. It was received extremely well and the
choir really had a great time doing it.

Hear parts of the score: http://www.tempomusicresource.org

The man in charge is Rich Erickson. He will be happy to respond to
any questions, or one can order the piece by e-mailing Rich
Erickson at inq...@tempomusicresource.org

Let's Ring the Holiday In HB217 E

Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming MSM501034 E 1

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming, arr. Kevin McChesney

Kevin says: The second is the setting that Mike Kastner and I did
of Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming. This orchestration uses the bell
score that Jeffers has published for bells alone. That is, you can
play this piece on bells alone or add these orchestrations.

Now the Green Blade Riseth (Sing We Now of Christmas), arr. McChesney
Can be configured for orchestra, brass, and/or SATB.
MHP1892/MHP1892O

Nowel Sing We, arr. Susan (Nelson) Sylvester, GIA G-6367INST-A
One combination includes string orchestra.

O Come All Ye Faithful with Sheep May Safely Graze, Bach,
arr. McKechnie, Hope #1921
Availalable as "print on demand" via JW Pepper or from McKechnie
directly at li...@lindamckechnie.com.

O come All Ye Faithful, Bartsch 1921 M 3

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, 4:20, Fred Morden

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, McChesney, Lorenz

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, arr. Prins
For bells & strings. Contact Matthew Prins <mdp...@yahoo.com>.

O Holy Night with Gesu Bambino, arr. McKechnie, Hope #2108/2109

O Holy Night, arr. Benton C022 EM
O Holy Night, Allured, orch. Benton
JT: These two are probably the same.

O Tannenbaum HB320 M

Once in Royal David's City, McChesney, Lorenz

Play a Song of Christmas 41641134 EM 2

The Shepherd Mosaic, 10:00-12:00, 1998, John Bartsch Medium
Full orchestra (no horns), SATB chorus, 5 octaves

Includes: My Sheep Were Grazing; While Shepherds Watched Their
Flocks by Night; Come, All Ye Shepherds; Bring a Torch, Jeanette,
Isabella; O Come, All Ye Faithful.

Dr. Susan Udell <usa...@hotmail.com> of Madison Area Concert
Handbells says: It's really very nicely put together and is
appealing to audiences. I'd love to repeat it with another
orchestra!

Silent Night, 4:35, Fred Morden

Silent Night, arr. Dale Jergenson, Laurendale
Includes orchestra & SATB choir.

Silver Bells Wasson
Available as a rental Contact John Wasson at Strat...@aol.com

Tidings, A Christmas Carol Fantasy, Douglas Wagner, Belwin Mills
WBHB9611 (bells), BD9647 (band parts)
for SATB, handbells, organ, symphonic wind band

Jeffrey Singleton <je...@marshbrook.demon.co.uk> says:
The band parts are not easy...neither are the handbell parts...

The Ukrainian Bell Carol, 4:00, Fred Morden

We Three Kings (with "Farandole from L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2), McKechnie
2052 M 3+

What Child is This H111 E

I realize that there's not much more than the titles, but hopefully
that can lead you to other info or people who've played these will
chime in. :)

---Jason
Sonos

[Wil Mandac]

There's one I really like that includes chorus as well, but you have to rent it.

"Bellsong Fantasy" by John Wasson - http://www.johnwasson.com. John is a trombone player/composer.

I know there's a YouTube video of another group doing it, but you can also take a listen through iTunes. It was done as part of the Dallas Christmas Gala.

Wil Mandac
Area XII-er

[Stafford Handbells]

Thank you, Jason! This is a wonderful resource and exactly what I
needed

[Jason Tiller]

Hi, Neesa, :)

On Thu, 28 Apr 2011, Stafford Handbells wrote:

> Thank you, Jason! This is a wonderful resource and exactly what I
> needed

Be sure and let us all know what you eventually decide to play.
Orchestra & Bells performances are still rare enough that we want to
celebrate everybody who gets to do it! :)

---Jason
Sonos