15 Handbell Collections for 12 Bells (or Fewer)

One of the benefits of working with a small group of 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. This accommodates ringers with limited experience and gives you the flexibility to perform in different spaces.

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, you’re doing a lot of number-crunching to figure out the most cost-effective investment for your ensemble.

In this post, I’m sharing 15 ready-to-use handbell collections for 12 bells (or fewer). I hope you find something you and your ringers love!

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15 Ready-to-Use Collections for Small Handbell Choirs (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

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

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

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 (reproducible)

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 (reproducible)

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.

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Free Resource

Wondering what that symbol means?

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.

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

12 bells (F5-C7)
16 pieces (reproducible)

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 (reproducible)

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.

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

12 bells (2-3 octaves)
12 pieces (reproducible)

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

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

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

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

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)

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 (reproducible)

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 (reproducible)

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.

Bonus! I Wonder As I Wander (arr. Ashley Danyew)

11 bells + Solo C Instrument
1 piece (reproducible)

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I’d love to hear from you:

Do you own any of these? What are your favorite pieces or collections for 12 bells or fewer?