Easter is a joyful day in the church year. It’s the day we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and victory, the gift of new life, and the hope of everlasting life to come.
All of this makes Easter the perfect time to pull out all the stops (no pun intended). From handbell acclamations to soaring soprano descants, brass ensembles to triumphant fanfares, there are lots of things you can do to help bring Easter to life in your worship services.
The good news is, Easter is more than just one day - it’s a 50-day season.
It’s kind of like celebrating your birthday all month long.
That’s why I’m excited to share with you Four Pieces for Easter - a digital collection of four pieces for 2-3 octave handbells (12-21 bells) designed to add a creative element into your worship services, both on Easter Sunday and in the season that follows.
The collection includes a fanfare on “Christ Is Alive” for 13 bells (six players), a hymn descant for “Christ Is Alive” (12 bells), a solo arrangement of “The Day of Resurrection,” and an Easter Fanfare/processional and descant for “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.”
Performance notes are included for each piece.
Want to peek inside? Here are a few sample pages from the collection:
*Please note: This is a digital download product. No physical music will be mailed to you.
Your purchase includes a license to print as many copies as you need for your handbell ensemble.
What’s Included:
"Fanfare on Christ Is Alive"
A triumphant fanfare, to be used as an extended hymn introduction for “Christ Is Alive” or as a standalone piece. The piece incorporates the first phrase of “Christ Is Alive,” a few familiar peal patterns, as well as a 4-note motive from “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.”
Christ Is Alive
A bright, sparkling descant to be used on one or two verses of the hymn, to add to the congregational singing experience. The descant matches the traditional harmony found in most hymnals (e.g. UMH, Glory to God).
The Day of Resurrection
An arrangement of a beloved, but not-so-common Easter hymn. After a quiet introduction, the first verse begins in unison, quickly expanding outward to include richer and deeper harmonies. A brief interlude leads into the second verse, featuring a classical-style countermelody and fresh harmonies. The arrangement ends full and strong, with interesting colors, a broad, sweeping chord progression, and some new rhythmic interest.
Easter Fanfare & Hymn Descant
“Easter Fanfare,” a festive acclamation for Easter Sunday, can be used on its own or in conjunction with “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.”
The fanfare (13 bells) is written in C major and designed to lead right into the hymn introduction. It is accessible for a beginning handbell choir with as few as seven members. The descant (21 bells) works well on one of the middle verses (so your sopranos can still have their descant on the last verse).
Four Pieces for Easter
A digital collection for 2-3 octave handbells (12-21 bells), featuring four short pieces for your Easter worship services. *Includes a license to print and copy as many copies as you need for your ensemble.
Questions about this collection? Feel free to reach out to me via email. I’m happy to answer them!
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