Betty's Exploring Handbells Books
Exploring Handbells Book 1 & Book 2
https://www.musicplaycanada.com/collections/handbells-handchimes
https://www.musicplaycanada.com/products/exploring-handbells
The music in Exploring Handbells Books 1 and 2 is written for two and three octave ringing ensembles as this is where most ringers begin. Deborah Rice was instrumental in the preparation of these two books. Debbie’s expertise is evident in the description of the handbell and handchime techniques. She had direct input into the text and her comments on the music were readily incorporated.
The music in Book 1 addresses basic techniques: ringing, damping, let vibrate, shake, staccato, vibrato, martellato, tower swing. The music will feature one or two techniques which gives those learning ringers an opportunity to focus on those. There are six original compositions in Book 1
Book 2 proceeds to further techniques that ringers will encounter in handbell music: echo, ring touch, martellato lift, mallet roll, suspended mallet, gyro, weaving, singing bell and table land damp. The music in Book 2 includes the techniques discussed in Book 1 and is slightly more advanced than Book 1. Each composition will often feature two or more techniques. There are six original compositions on Book 2 and one arrangement.
All of the music in Book 1 is original compositions. The music in Book 2 also features original compositions other than the Huron Carol, which is an arrangement. Each technique is available in a two or three octave score. The music in both books may be played on either handbells or handchimes, though not all techniques are applicable for handchimes.
Musicplay: Themes and Variations also has Handbell Music Single Download for each of the music selections in these two books. Book 1 contains 6 pieces and Book 2 contains 7 pieces. Each download includes a 2 octave and a 3 octave score and an audio file as well as some information about the music and techniques.
Betty's Published Music
A Boardwalk Stroll Level 3
https://jubilatemusic.com/products/a-boardwalk-stroll?_pos=1&_sid=4359852bb&_ss=r
https://www.handbellworld.com/music/MSAReturn.cfm?page=1&title=a+boardwalk+stroll&ca=&stocknum=
A Boardwalk Stroll is a winner of the Fred Merrett Award for New Compositions sponsored by the Alberta Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
A Spirit of Joy Level 3+
https://shop.fromthetopmusic.com/home/18-a-spirit-of-joy.html
https://www.handbellworld.com/music/MusicPiece.cfm?Piece=17197
A Spirit of Joy is a commissioned work dedicated with love to Wendy Hoskin from her family in recognition of the gift of Joy she brings to others. A Spirit of Joy was included in a massed ring performance as part of the European Handbell Festival, Directed by Deborah Rice.
Coming Home Level 3+
https://www.handbellworld.com/music/MusicPiece.cfm?Piece=18132
https://www.handbellworld.com/music/MSAReturn.cfm?page=1&title=Coming+Home&ca=&stocknum=
Coming Home is dedicated with much fondness and appreciation to Alison Wood who has embodied unending love, commitment, inspiration and support for music and the handbell community locally and worldwide.
Mosaic Level 3
https://shop.fromthetopmusic.com/home/952-378-mosaic-folk-songs-of-canada.html#/7-score-handbell
https://www.handbellworld.com/music/MusicPiece.cfm?Piece=18318
Mosaic was chosen by the Handbell Musicians of Canada as their selection for the 19th International Handbell Symposium in Hong Kong in 2020 and 20th International Handbell Symposium in Nashville, USA in 2022.
Prelude in F
A handbell quartet
Prelude in F, BWV 927 by J. S. Bach is a winner of the Fred Merrett Award for New Compositions sponsored by the Alberta Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
So Glorious and Free Level 4+
https://shop.fromthetopmusic.com/home/731-288-so-glorious-and-free.html#/7-score-handbell
https://www.handbellworld.com/music/MusicPiece.cfm?Piece=16216
So Glorious and Free is a Canadian soundscape for handbells featuring the rich heritage of Canada So Glorious and Free was chosen by Handbell Musicians of Canada for the 17the International Handbell Symposium in Vancouver, Canada in 2016.
Solace Level 3
https://shop.fromthetopmusic.com/home/934-369-solace.html#/28-score-cello
Six scores are available – Conductor score, Handbell only, Cello, Flute, Violin, Bb Clarinet
https://www.handbellworld.com/music/MusicPiece.cfm?Piece=18290#
Solace is based on J.S. Bach’s Prelude in C#+, BWV 872. This music is a winner of the Fred Merrett Award for New Compositions sponsored by the Alberta Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
Beyond the Horizon Level 3+
https://www.handbellworld.com/music/MusicPiece.cfm?Piece=19268
Beyond the Horizon was chosen by the Handbell Musicians of Canada as their selection for the 21st International Handbell Symposium in Hamamatsu, Japan, 2024
Beyond the Horizon is a winner of the Fred Merrett Award for New Compositions sponsored by the Alberta Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
Beyond the Horizon was performed at the 21st International Handbell Symposium in Hamamatsu, Japan on August 17, 2024. This performance may be viewed here.
Valse Grazioso Level 3-
https://www.handbellworld.com/music/MSAReturn.cfm?page=1&title=Valse+Grazioso&ca=&stocknum=
Valse Grazioso is a winner of the Fred Merrett Award for New Compositions sponsored by the Alberta Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
Cherished Memories Level 3
https://shop.fromthetopmusic.com/home/1189-cherished-memories.html
https://www.handbellworld.com/music/MusicPiece.cfm?Piece=19618
Cherished Memories is commissioned work. The family of Joanna Shepheard (who passed away) and the Kerrisdale Ringers of Vancouver B. C wanted music that reflected Joanna Shepheard’s positive, upbeat, caring personality. I have endeavoured to reflect these characteristics in the music.
Musings: Reflection and Contemplation Level 3
https://shop.fromthetopmusic.com/home/1269-musings.html
https://www.handbellworld.com/music/MSAReturn.cfm?page=1&title=musings&ca=&stocknum=
Musings is a winner of the Fred Merrett Award for New Compositions sponsored by the Alberta Guild of English Handbell Ringers, 2022. Musings is dedicated to Fred A. Merrett, internationally acclaimed composer and director, who brought the gift of handbells to Western Canada. His music and leadership will endure nationally and internationally along with a sincere appreciation of his love for handbells.
Joy Beyond Measure
www.shop.fromthetopmusic.com/home/1353-joy-beyond-measure.html
www.handbellworld.com/music/MSAReturn.cfm?page=1&title=Joy+beyond+measure&ca=&stocknum=
Joy Beyond Measure was commissioned by the AtLee family to celebrate Judy’s birthday. J. S. Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring is one of her favourite music compositions. Joy Beyond Measure is not a direct arrangement of Bach’s work but a composition inspired by J. S. Bach. It will be performed in Calgary at Classic Bronze in August 2025.