Handbell - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.953737 Composed by COMPOSER Henry John Gauntlett, and a Traditional French Carol. Arranged by G. R. Adkison. Christian,Christmas,Sacred. Score. 4 pages. Gary Ray Adkison #30517. Published by Gary Ray Adkison (A0.953737). Song of Christmas is an arrangement for 3-4-5 octave handbell choir. It is a 56 measure Christmas carol medley. It starts with Once in Royal David's City, in the key of F. The first verse uses handchimes, although handbells can be substituted for the chimes, if desired. The second verse is louder, switches to handbells, uses fuller chords and is in the key of Bb. The last two musical phrases of this carol are repeated, grandioso. There is then a softer handchime repeat of the last phrase. Without pause, it begins a lively version of Sing We Now of Christmas in Eb. The melody alternates between handchimes and handbells. When the chimes are playing, the bells only play fills, etc. There is a brief (2 measure) passage with handbells in the key of D, then it switches back to Eb for the big ending, using only bells. The ending is half-timed, with a descending chordal descant to the martellato stinger. (Throughout the entire arrangement, handbells can substitute for handchimes.) This arrangement is probably about a level 2 degree of difficulty.
