When a new handbell piece appears in my folder, I examine certain things for my own sake.
Who is the composer/arranger? Cool … it’s Kevin McChesney, he’s one of the best!
What’s the difficulty level? Hmmmm … Why isn’t this piece rated?
So, what publisher forgot the rating? Huh? There isn’t one!
Maybe it’s on the page? How long is this thing? What!!! This has twice as many pages as anything else we’ve ever played!
Is there a dedication? OMG! Someone commissioned this for our church and the approaching 50th anniversary celebration.
Starting in late August, our choir worked hard to prepare Fantasia on “For All the Saints”, a lively take for handbells on the classic hymn For All the Saints (music by Ralph Vaughn Williams and lyrics by William How) … (and my part was quite challenging).
We would premier the piece at the 50th Anniversary celebration dinner of our congregation, as well as playing it Sunday morning. Fittingly, and seemingly coincidentally, it was also All Saints Sunday.
As time drew closer, I carried memories of this good friend who would have loved this piece, but was murdered … and this good friend and bell ringer who cancer quickly vanquished from us … and to other friends who I’ve met at church that we no longer see for one reason or another … and to members of my family. To top it off, a past pastor returned and delivered a wonderful sermon that reminded everyone that each of us as saints and sinners.
At the dinner, one of our handbell choir members introduced the piece. Her words were so fitting that when she read it at rehearsal earlier in the week, my eyes got a little watery – and the portion below is good for this post.
The text of the first verse is especially appropriate for any occasion in which we stop to reflect on a community of faith:
“For all the saints // who from their labors rest // who thee by faith // before the world confessed // thy name O Jesus // be forever blest. // Alleluia, Alleluia!”
At one point, you’ll be able to hear those Alleluias passed among several bells and intermixed with the melody.
We couldn’t imagine a more fitting tribute on this All Saints weekend, when we honor the saints who are in this room and the saints who have made 50 years of ministry and fellowship at Prince of Peace possible.
In time, publishers will make this piece available for others to play, but I can proudly say that I was in the first choir to play it and the dedication line indicates our church.
While you’re watching, observe many ringing techniques throughout the choir. Enjoy the blog premier of Fantasia on “For All the Saints”.
That was lovely!
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Elyse,
Thank you!
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Wonderful piece, Frank! Premieres are always exciting – the birth of a new piece. Your group sounds wonderful; that is quite a piece to prepare for a church group. Bravo!
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Lynn,
As one knows music, this piece was loaded with nuances! If you know any bell choir people, pass the name along …. We think it will be at least a Level 4 … and thanks for the kind words!
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Beautiful, Frank! I love handbell choirs. That is quite an ambitious piece and you and your choir certainly rose to the occasion! I had a quick question…were the gentlemen in the back left on this video playing marimbas or xylophones in this piece? I loved the percussion that the instrument brought to the piece!
Cathy
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Cathy,
Ambitious is a good adjective. In terms of back-left guy, he has bells. You can see him ringing them in the beginning, but he also uses mallets. After the intro, the entire back row uses mallets for the moving line that you hear. What the lady on the back row, but far right as you can see he striking at various points. Meanwhile, off the top of my head, we have played with flute, trumpet, organ, piano, drums, solo singer, trio/quartet singers, and a singing choir.
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Congratulations and well done. It must be an honor to be the first to perform a quality piece.
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Jim,
The only involvement with commissioned music I’ve ever had is being in the audience. It was an honor, but also extra pressure. I am curious to see how sales go in the future or if I receive questions because of this post.
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You give good handbell Frank. Excellent!
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Lame,
For a volunteer group (no auditions) we do well. As a friend told me, her choir rings bells, our choir plays them.
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I can hear that!
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someone answer the damn phone.
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Rich,
You have just given me an idea! Thanks!!!!
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happy to help
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I will admit, I expected it to be a lot more cacophonous than that. I was waiting for my eardrums to be assaulted, but it was a lot like kettle drums
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Good Day Al … actually my early morning.
Handbell music is unique, so if your new to handbell music, here’s a primer https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/on-one-instrument/
But it can also be quite soft and peaceful. Near the bottom of the stained glass image, click the link about the friend/fellow ringer who died from cancer.
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A wonderful rendition of this lovely old melody, Frank. It certainly does looks and sound difficult, and I really enjoyed it. Well done to you all. 🙂
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Sylvia,
Many thanks … and it definitely was a challenge! … and a glorious rendition it is.
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It certainly looked very complicated. Don’t your wrists start to ache after you’ve been practising for a while.?
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Gorgeous, Frank. I swear, I am the least musically talented person on the planet, so I REALLY appreciate the skill this must have taken!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
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Beautiful! Being a piano player I was looking hard for the “running line” players…by which I think you mean the melody which ran parallel to the ringers in the front row? ? That was performed with mallets? Was the entire back row involved or just a few of you? Absolutely beautiful piece of work. Thank you for sharing, aFA, with all the rest of your “family”.
R.
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Jots,
Hooray u saw this. Many notes here, so piano players pick and chose the ones to play. The mallets are the entire back row plus thetwo in back left. Some mallets also on the front right. Glad this met your high standards
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That was really lovely, Frank. Was nice to listen to those bells while I read posts this morning. 🙂
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Carrie,
Definitely a fun piece with energy that is good for the morning. Glad you enjoyed this.
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THANK YOU for sharing this piece with us. I feel special being part of the somewhat initial audience. 🙂
You all make this look so easy.
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RoSy,
At times the feeling is quite frantic for some but we manage…. glad u enjoyed this
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Here is the hymn with the lyrics.
Perhaps I’m biased – but – I enjoyed the handbell version mo’ better 😉
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What a wonderful addition! A great hymn and one of my favorites! On the Sunday of the recording, we played before two services, and this was the exit hymn. Thanks for adding this!
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Magnificent, Frank. A beautiful piece beautifully done. Since I don’t think I’ve ever seen a picture of you, which of the males is you?
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John,
Glad you enjoyed this wondenrful piece. I’m back row first male from right technically third one in but a blonde gal is almost perfectly blocked.
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Nice to meet you, Frank!
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🙂
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That was really beautiful, Frank. Thank you for sharing it with us. 🙂
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Robin,
And thank you for listening.
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Ah, Frank what a delight to the ears! I am so truly happy for being in such a premiere! Obviously not an easy piece but you all sound so well together and make it seem easy. A lot of work there! Beautiful, my friend! 🙂
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Marina,
I believe handbell music is rated on a scale 1 to 6 with incremental + steps (1, 1+, 2, 2+ …. 6, 6+) … and our director sees this as a 4. so yes, not easy, thus a lot of work. With your background, you would probably hear some of the intricacies.
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My, I wonder what a 6+ would be like!!!!
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Too hard for me!
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No way!!!! 😉
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Oh yes … 6+ would have to be a choir with all strong players … the audition groups. Search YouTube for groups like the Raleigh Ringers and Sonos.
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WOW!!!!!!!!
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Simply another skill level
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Beautiful, simply beautiful.
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Val,
Glad you enjoy this … thanks for watching.
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I really enjoyed this, Frank, and it was fun to see you playing! I had a very limited exposure to playing in a bell choir decades ago and I remember being as nervous as a cat when we’d play. Even though I read music well and have a good sense of rhythm, I knew if I came in a little early or late the other musicians would be thrown off! You guys were all completely on target and it was lovely. I can only imagine how much time must go into practice! It really is a very special arrangement, too! Congratulations!
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Debra,
Although many of us play off of others, counting is still the key. But you are correct, when the ear picks up the cue that is actually incorrect, a domino effect can happen. Ouch! We worked very hard on this one, and fortunately, we have a conductor who studies to prepare for every rehearsal. Glad you enjoyed this!
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Really really lovely piece. And you play with gusto, Frank!
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Weebs!!! Great to see you. I was hoping you would see this post because I know of your musical side and appreciation for handbells. So you know, a premiering a commissioned piece is a special moment.
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And such a beautiful piece to premiere. Congratulations!
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🙂
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FAntastic Frank. What a lovely sound
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Audra,
Premiering the piece was an interesting experience. Overall, it wasn’t easy … but fortunately our volunteer choir has enough skill and an outstanding director to lead us through the preparation process. Glad you enjoyed it.
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It doesn’t look easy !! What made you decide to join?
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We started about 10 or so years ago as a 5-person chime choir. Each year we grew … eventually 12-14. …. then a director who has her own bells came to our church, and the transformation started. She’s very good … and as she has said, we’ve gone beyond her expectations. Here’s a difficult piece we played two years ago … http://youtu.be/gcGjOyVyULA … I’m left of the very tall lady.
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I love this. The tall lady was totally rocking to the beat. Nice to see you a Frank. How much to the bells weigh ? Are you like Popeyes forearms?
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BTW – next to the tall lady in the link … not on this post. They are made of brass, so the biggest ones are heavy. The bigger (lower) bells that we don’t have change to aluminum based.
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This past post explains handbells https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/on-one-instrument/
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Well thanks
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So beautiful … and so sadden to read about your lost friends – I really enjoyed this premiering – thanks for bringing me along. Never heard the hymn before. I like the Humming bird to – very delicate piece. I have never heard about hand bells before I “run” into your world. *love. So beautiful.
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Viveka,
The friends I mentioned in this post were good people whose life ended too soon … and For All the Saints is a fitting title for me. I really like the hymn too as I find it to be a joyous dedication. Meanwhile, those playing Hummingbird is simply several levels higher. Glad you enjoyed it.
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I loved your post and your videos. You are always spreading comfort. Had fantastic days in Belfast now and sailing over to Scotland today for 4 days. Met my first snow this year here in Belfast. Today is truly chilly too.
Enjoying myself big time and my sorry ass don’t have much of a choice – wish it had stayed at home *smile
I wish you and everyone around you a great weeknd.
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Viveka,
Glad to see that the trip is going great, and the sorry ass is doing what it can to enjoy the trip. Too bad the weather is a bit chilly, then again, it tis the season! Be safe and enjoy!
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Thanks, Frank ….. it’s not worst being travelling with the problem than being at home – same shit … different setting.
I promise to stay safe. On the Irish sea just now.
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Hang in there … and enjoy your visit!
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The complexity of this is mesmerizing! Bravo~
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Cindy,
Thank you. It wasn’t an easy piece, and the arranger had some interesting intricacies in it. Meanwhile, imagine what the audition groups can do! BTW – you may enjoy this past post where I explain this musical world. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/on-one-instrument/
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So very sorry about your friends. Condolances~
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Thanks …. one was two years ago in a few weeks … and the other was about 9 months ago.
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Wow, Frank! This piece was magnificent, and you worked your tookus off. I hope you know that your group is several cuts above the average church bell choir. It was awesome! Thank you for calling my attention to this performance. I plan to show it to WW when he gets home. We often talk about your church and how envious we are that you have such a wonderful, musical, wine drinking 🙂 BOC to hang with and work out the journey of life. All the best and a most Happy T-Day. Best wishes to Mrs. A.
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E-Tom,
Thanks for popping back over to see this because I knew you would enjoy it. For a volunteer choir, we do well. A friend from another church told me that they ring theirs, but we play ours.
Music is one of congregation’s strength. We have our share of talent (many are music major grads) … and our music director does a wonderful job blending old music and with the new. Let me know what WW thinks of this one.
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WW and I just watched this piece together as part of our Sunday morning devotions. He loved it–he really loved it. Said to tell you that he loved the full sound (most church bell choirs sound thin to him). But he says to tell you that it was quite beautiful (he is a lax musician=5 instruments and a singer/actor). We both agreed you were working hard in this piece and definitely knocked it out of the park. Have a wonderful Sunday.
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E-Tom,
Hooray for us meeting expectations to gain WW’s seal of approval. We played again today, including on piece with interesting chords. If I can find a video, I’ll post it in the future. If not, I’ll try to locate a recording.
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Absolutely delightful, Frank. I’m going to ask the Heavenly Host to play it so I can sneak thru the Pearly Gates. It’s so beautiful, the security guards are sure to be distracted so I can tip-toe in… : )
I thought the guy in the back row, third in from the right, was especially good… : )
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Mark,
Glad you enjoyed this piece … given the commission, it was special to play … and that guy did get all the notes correct on a very hectic part.
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Love the performance, but yes, you are a lot more serious! Haha!
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I told you! … This several years ago, and it was fun premiering a song.
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I saw it was 2013! Beautiful song:)
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It was fun to do … a Level 4 … and done by one of the best known bell composers. … actually the same composer as the one the quartet did.
Just wanted the Purdue Bells do a slow song … a mix of smiles and no so much … but no serious frowns.
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Well yes, it might look strange to be that cheerful with a more melancholy song…!
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Love it!
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Marc,
Glad you enjoyed it. A handbell choir is like 14 people playing one piano. In other words, all the bells are one instrument … and the more bells there are, the more people are needed … but the people have to make it sound as one.
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It really is quite amazing.
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Here’s a past post where Cayman commented. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/on-one-instrument/
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I was so much older then, I’m so much younger now . . .
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Now that’s a powerful reflection.
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😉
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Beautiful to listen to and fascinating to watch.
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ER,
Much going on with this one … but the fact that is was a commissioned piece that we premiered was different. Glad you enjoyed it.
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