Fred Merrett Award for New Compositions
The Alberta Guild of English Handbell Ringers endorses new handbell music annually through the Fred Merrett Award for New Compositions. The following compositions have received this award. Some of these have been expanded from their initial submission of 3 octaves to 3 – 5 octaves and/or have been edited which put them on a higher level.
Level 2 music for 3-5 octave handbell choirs
A Holiday Jingle 2018
Constellations 2016
On the Road 2015
Serenade 2020
Song Birds 2014
Sunrise 2013
Winter Lullaby 2023
Level 3 music and higher, for 3 – 5 octave handbell choirs
Awakening 2024
*Beyond the Horizon 2018
Dancing with the Yao People of China 2013
Kaleidoscope 2023
*Musings 2022
Robots 2025
*Solace 2017
* A Boardwalk Stroll/ On the Boardwalk** 2014
*Valse Grazioso/At the Dance Studio ** 2019
*Has been published
**The original titles are listed second, changed by publisher.
Handbell Quartet
Across Canada 2015
*Prelude in F 2017
Handbell Solo
Fleeting Moments 2022
International Handbell Symposium Music
Every two years the International Handbell Symposium occurs in a different country. This is a 5-6 day event where 800 or more ringers from around the world gather to participate in workshops, concerts and prepare music from the various participating countries for a final massed ring concert. Canada has been involved in this event since 1984. Each country chooses a handbell composition to be performed at this event. Betty has had four compositions chosen by Handbell Musicians of Canada for this international event.
· So Glorious and Free was selected for the International Handbell Symposium in Vancouver, Canada in 2016
· Mosaic was chosen for the International Handbell Symposium Hong Kong in 2020 (which, unfortunately, was cancelled) and the International Handbell Symposium in Nashville, USA in 2022
· Beyond the Horizon was selected to represent Canada at the International Handbell Symposium in Hamamatsu, Japan in 2024
· Connections has been chosen to represent Canada at the International Handbell Symposium in Aberdeen, Scotland in 2026
All these compositions are published by From the Top Music. Details can be found on the Publisher Links page. For more information on national and international events go to Handbell Musicians of Canada: https://handbellmusiciansofcanada.ca
Commissions
Betty has been commissioned to create music for several handbell choirs are located in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. Examples of commissioned works are A Spirit of Joy, Cherished Memories and Joy Beyond Measure. These compositions have been published by From the Top Music (see Publisher Links page).
More information about commissions is available upon request.
Exploring Handbells Book 1 & Book 2
Betty has created Exploring Handbells Book 1 & Book 2 as an instructional tool for directors, teachers, and ringers. With the assistance of Deborah Rice a description of each technique was developed in conjunction with music specifically designed for beginner ringers to learn the techniques. For more details see Publisher Links page.
A Special Thanks
A special thanks goes to Deborah Rice, Tammy-Jo Mortensen and Annie Hergott. These accomplished handbell directors have encouraged my compositional journey and have premiered many of my compositions.