( updated December 18, 2018)
Click on anything blue to play the recording.
The Handbell Choir is NOT rehearsing at this time. We were unable to find a Sunday in the semester when enough of the players were in town to present an anthem. We are using some small groups to accompany Chancel Choir anthems, etc. as needed, but the entire Handbell Choir will not play together this semester. We will discuss our situation this summer and decide how to proceed. Thank you to those who played in the fall of 2018. You played well and the congregation appreciated your worship offerings.
Welcome to our Handbell Choir page !
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Handbell Rehearsals are held at 6:15 each Wednesday afternoon in the handbell room, 3rd floor, above the Ministers’ offices. Exit the elevator and follow the hall to the left. Rehearsals resume in February 2019.
Dear Favorite Choir,
There was a quiet in the sanctuary at the end of the Dan Forest “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” I could feel that the congregation had stopped thinking about a hundred earthly troubles, and, for just a few moments, had joined with our songs in offering praise and thanksgiving to God for the great gift of His Son. Sometimes I do wonder if we “get it across” to the congregation; but last Sunday, I was confident they were “with us.”
And the best part (which I knew and you knew but the congregation did NOT know) was that we had two more top-notch anthems coming up which would raise the celebration and prayer levels even farther: The Mary McDonald “He Is Born” and then the great congregational hymn, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” with all of its brass and strings and percussion and organ and singers and especially those singing the descant on the final stanza. At that moment I knew that you and I were in the right place at the right time doing the right task which the Good Lord had assigned to us — and doing it so beautifully !
I know I talk a lot and sometimes you just roll your eyes and ignore it, but listen carefully to this:
…… YOU SANG AND PLAYED BEAUTIFULLY ……
And I am very proud to be your Director of Music and Choirmaster ! Thank you !
Steven
12-18-2018
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.Works for 2018 – 2019 :
Enter with Joy by Kathleen Wissinger
(Presented December 16, 2018)
The Angels and The Shepherds by Jason Krug (Moravian)
(Presented December 16, 2018)
All Creatures of our God and King arranged by Linda Lamb.
(not yet scheduled)
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Weather Announcements:
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[Special weather announcement will be visible here]
Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 6:15.
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Our 2017-2018 Handbell Anthems
Lent, 2018
March 11, 2018:
Our Handbell Anthem is “The Passion Chorale” (“O Sacred Head Now Wounded”) by Hans Hassler, arranged 2017 by Brenda Austin. Listen to it here: https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10821775
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Advent & Christmas Anthem
The Handbells will play on Sunday, December 3 at 11:00 AM.
The Anthem is “Ding Dong ! Merrily on High” arranged by Lloyd Larson. Some of our handbell players have played this one before. It will be a challenge, but it will give the ladies with the small bells something to enjoy!
https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=8072397
Our 2016-2017 Handbell Anthems
Easter Anthem Get ready, my friends, we have “a doosey” of an anthem for Easter Sunday (April 16th, 2017). It calls for all the handbells we have, plus the organ AND the piano AND the Chancel Choir ( “a holy cacophony” ). You can listen to it here:
“Lift High the Cross” arr by Joel Raney
Easter Hymn , As we did two years ago, we will play the opening hymn “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” with the organ and strings.
Fall Presentation (November 13, 2016): “Abide with Me” arranged by Cathy Moklebust in 2012. It called for most of our handbells and many of our tone chimes, plus Nancy Toy playing her flute. Listen here: http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10342535
December 18th (Lessons and Carols) “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying” arranged by Ron Mallory 2013. This piece is a real cool one, with the men malleting a driving rhythm on the lower bells. It is certainly not your ordinary sober Bach chorale ! Listen here: http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10366491
Our 2015-2016 Handbell Anthems
October 18, 2015 “As the Deer” An arrangement of our beautiful hymn 626.
We will use all 5 octaves of Handbells and 3 octaves of Handchimes. It is breathtaking !
Listen to it here: http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10340668
Listen to our recording of it at www.soundcloud.com under the Steven Mowery account with the light green safari hat.
November 15, 2015 “Abba, Father” by Jason Krug
This also uses handbells and tone chimes.
Listen to it here: http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10424975
Listen to OUR recording of it at www.soundcloud.com under the Steven Mowery account with the light green safari hat.
December 20, 2015 (Lessons and Carols at 11:00 AM Traditional Service)
Our Christmas anthem is Natalie Sleeth’s beautiful hymn, “Were You There on that Christmas Night?” The handbells will play as the Choral Scholars sing . The handbell arrangement is by Martha Lynn Thompson.
Listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmcXNfCLxs0