O Come, O Come, Immanuel

Based on Natalie Sleeth's original musical setting and her adaptation of the familiar Advent text, this arrangement can stand alone as a handbell piece or be used as an accompaniment to the lovely Sleeth choral anthem (CGA273) sung by choir or soloist. (Please note that this arrangement is in the key of C and the choral anthem is in D-flat. ) Handbells play stanza one, handchimes alone are preferred for stanza two, and the final stanza combines handbells with the descant (played on either handchimes or a C instrument. ) Controlled legato ringing is a necessity for this hauntingly beautiful piece. To give additional meaning when played as a handbell/handchime piece, a narrator may read the anthem text, taking care to speak slowly and freely.