Handbells in the Time of COVID-19

It’s been an interesting few months, hasn’t it?

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost four months since the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the United States (along with the rest of the world). In its wake, we watched as everything shut down, plans were canceled, and everyone stayed home.

Now that things are opening again (with new safety protocols and limitations in place), many music directors are turning their attention to the fall:

Will we be able to gather in person again? If so, what will that look like?

Handbells are perhaps the easiest to picture coming together under these circumstances.

No singing or speaking is required, people can wear masks and gloves and still play, and you can socially distance and still make music together (as long as everyone can see the director!).

COVID-19 Precautions & Considerations for Handbells:

If you’re thinking about bringing your handbell choir back together (or starting a new one to tide you over until choirs can sing together again!), here are a few things to consider:

Ask players to bring their own handbell gloves (and wash them at home, as needed)
Rehearse and perform in smaller groups of six ringers (12 bells)
Make bell assignments so everyone uses the same bells each time
Ask players to wear masks of some kind in rehearsals and worship
Provide pencils and highlighters for each player so people don’t have to share
Label mallets, dowels, and other accessories so people don’t have to share
Provide notebooks and sheet music for each player so people don’t have to share
Play from music stands instead of at tables to practice social distancing during rehearsal and in worship

Practical Suggestions for Handbell Choirs:

What does a handbell choir look like in the age of COVID-19?

Small groups, social distancing, masks and gloves, and individual copies of all the music.

The beauty of working with a small group of say, six ringers is that you can play a lot of music with only 12 bells.

This way, each player can play two bells the whole time without bell changes, so no tables, foam, or notebook risers are necessary and social distancing can be maintained. In addition, this gives you the flexibility to play in different parts of the sanctuary. Consider playing from the choir loft or balcony, from the side aisles, or up by the altar.

All you need is seven music stands (one for each ringer + one for you as director) and a good 12-bell collection of music (copies for each ringer + you).

That’s where today’s post comes in.

I know how much time it takes to research new music collections. And if you’re working with a tight music budget like a lot of churches are right now, you’re doing a lot of number-crunching to figure out what is the most cost-effective investment for your ensemble.

The good news is, I’ve vetted 15 ready-to-use handbell collections with music for 12 bells (or fewer). I’ve also done the math for you to figure out how much you’re paying per book and per piece (because that’s what I would want to know!).

I hope this helps you make a decision that works best for your church and handbell choir.

Here’s the list:

Ready-to-Use Repertoire: 15 Handbell Collections for 12 Bells (or Fewer)

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

The Twelve Bells of Christmas, Vol. I (arr. Patricia Sanders Cota)

12 bells (C5-G6)
8 pieces
→ $9.95 per book ($1.24 per piece)

Includes: Angels We Have Heard On High; Away In A Manger; Go Tell It On the Mountain; Jingle Bells; Joy to the World; Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee; O Come, All Ye Faithful; and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

The Twelve Bells of Christmas, Vol. II (arr. Patricia Sanders Cota)

12 bells (C5-G6)
6 pieces
→ $9.95 per book ($1.67 per piece)

Includes: Come On, Ring Those Bells, Good King Wenceslas, He Is Born, I Saw Three Ships, Mary, Did You Know?, and West Indies Carol.

The Twelve Bells of Christmas, Vol. III (arr. Patricia Sanders Cota)

12 bells (C5-G6)
8 pieces
→ $9.95 per book ($1.24 per piece)

Includes: Deck the Halls, Good King Wenceslas, Jingle Bells, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, O Christmas Tree, Silent Night, Up on the Housetop, and We Three Kings.

All Praise to Thee, Volume 1 (arr. Jason W. Krug)

12 bells (F5-C7)
18 pieces
$49.95 (reproducible)
→ $7.14 per book ($0.40 per piece)

Includes: Be Thou My Vision, Carol of the Bells, Christ the Lord Is Risen Today, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, For All the Saints, O Sing a Song of Bethlehem, We Three Kings, What Wondrous Love Is This, and more.

All Praise to Thee, Volume 2 (arr. Jason W. Krug)

12 bells (F5-C7)
18 pieces
$54.95 (reproducible)
→ $7.85 per book ($0.44 per piece)

Includes: All Glory, Laud and Honor, The Day of Resurrection, For the Beauty of the Earth, Holy, Holy, Holy, Let Us Break Bread Together, Love Came Down at Christmas, O Come, All Ye Faithful, We Gather Together, and more.

Free Resource

Wondering what that symbol means?

Wonder no more. This handy, printable handbell notation guide includes the symbols you see in the score plus directions on how to play them. Print one for yourself and enough for your ringers to keep a copy in the back of their folders.

Download

Handbell Notation Guide by Ashley Danyew

All Praise to Thee, Volume 3 (arr. Jason W. Krug)

12 bells (F5-C7)
16 pieces
$49.95 (reproducible)
→ $7.14 per book ($0.45 per piece)

Includes: Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, Were You There?, Easter People, Raise Your Voices (Angels from the Realms of Glory), Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart, Shall We Gather at the River, and more.

Hymns and Spiritual Songs (arr. Anna Laura Page)

12 bells (F5-C7) + opt. Piano
5 pieces
$44.95 (reproducible)
→ $5.62 per book ($1.12 per piece)

Includes: Day by Day, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, I Want Jesus to Walk with Me, Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise, and Jesus Is a Rock in a Weary Land.

New! 12x12: 12 Pieces for 12 Bells (Ashley & Steve Danyew)

12 bells (2-3 octaves)
12 pieces
$69 (reproducible)
→ $9.86 per book ($0.82 per piece)

Includes: 4 solo pieces, 4 acclamations/processionals, and 4 hymn descants for Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, and Easter. Titles include: Of the Father’s Love Begotten, Still, Still, Still, Joy to the World (hymn descant), We Three Kings, Lenten Processional (processional), Christ is Alive (hymn descant), and more.

Twelve Bells for Worship, Vol. I (arr. Patricia Sanders Cota)

12 bells (C5-G6)
6 pieces
→ $12.95 per book ($2.16 per piece)

Includes: All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name, Amazing Grace, Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing, For The Beauty Of The Earth, Simple Gifts, and What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Twelve Bells for Worship, Vol. II (arr. Patricia Sanders Cota)

12 bells (C5-G6)
6 pieces
→ $12.95 per book ($2.16 per piece)

Includes: How Great Thou Art, O Worship the King, Our Great Savior, Take My Life and Let It Be, 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, and Wonderful Words Of Life.

Twelve Bells for Praise & Worship, Vol. I (arr. Patricia Sanders Cota)

12 bells (C5-G6)
6 pieces
→ $9.95 per book ($1.67 per piece)

Includes: As the Deer, Majesty, Give Thanks, Almighty, Jesus Medley, and Worthy, You Are Worthy.

Twelve Bells for Praise & Worship, Vol. II (arr. Patricia Sanders Cota)

12 bells (C5-G6)
6 pieces
→ $12.95 per book ($2.16 per piece)

Includes: Bless His Holy Name, Hosanna, I Love You, Lord, Lord, I Lift Your Name on High, Sanctuary, and There Is A Redeemer.

Four Pieces for Advent (Ashley Danyew)

12 bells
4 pieces
$24 (reproducible)
→ $3.43 per book ($0.86 per piece)

Includes: Of the Father's Love Begotten, Glorioso II (processional), Advent Processional (processional), and Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (hymn descant).

Christmas for Four Ringers (arr. Anna Laura Page)

8 bells (2-octave range) + Piano
5 pieces
$54.95 (reproducible)
→ $9.16 per book ($1.83 per piece)

Includes: Gentle Mary Laid Her Child (Good King Wenceslas), Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending), Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful, Oh, Come, Little Children, and Sing We Now of Christmas (Now the Green Blade Rises).

Glory to the Newborn King (arr. Anna Laura Page)

12 bells (F5-C7) + opt. Piano
6 pieces
$44.95 (reproducible)
→ $6.42 per book ($1.07 per piece)

Includes: Away in a Manger, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and Once in Royal David's City.